About Niels
Artist statement
Niels (1998) has an impact, he does this by helping individuals, and also specific target groups that need this, regardless of whether this is people or nature.
After the loss of two friends and an eye-opening interview with his sister -who is in a wheelchair- about the perspective of a wheelchair user and her experiences since she was in that wheelchair, Niels decided to change course and start a completely new path in his life. He has made it his life goal to change the world for the better.
His work describes him well as an ambitious, innovative designer with a broad interest in helping nature, people & specific target groups. Think of wheelchair users, the visually impaired and people with a different type of disability. He is also committed to endangered species.
Niels differentiates himself through his investigative work attitude, his great ambitions and the discipline with which he works. He brings together different sources of research and can transform all this into a unique and convincing design.
Research
When I start a project, step one always is sketching and research. Ontop of that it is what I would describe myself as; a research-based designer. I like to gather as much information from all sorts of sources. Sources such as experts, reading related books, asking people around me and I often read scientific articles on the internet in relation to the subject.
Filtering and organising
After I’ve done my research I start filtering my aquired information. I start filtering by comparing different sources with eachother and consider what is useful and what isn’t for the project. Sources can be articles, notes I took during an interview with an expert, images and many other forms of information.
Combining
Now that I am done filtering information I start with combining useful information. During this process a lot of my own fantasy and vision alongside my earlier sketches will be added to the project and combined where possible. After this process a lot of sketches and mock-ups will have been made.
Designing and reflecting
I have now arrived at the final phase. I have made a lot of different sketches, models and will start reflecting on what I currently have and compare that to the original assignment. I’ll loop through this entire process a few times to make sure both me and other parties involved are satisfied with the final product.
Impact
Because I have been confronted with the loss of two people of my age who were close to me in one year time, I wondered what my purpose was in this world.
My sister has been in a wheelchair for a few years now and has explained to me how she felt like the world around her was not designed for her. And if there was design with wheelchairs in mind, it felt like it was a change made at the very end of the design process.
I decided I should have impact on this world and the people living on it. I want to help, whether that be helping nature or helping people who need it.
I have made it my purpose to change the world for the better.
Age
Graduation grade
Years doing photography
Years of experience with 3D drawing and rendering
%