about Frank Tjepkema & Tjep.

A Global Creative Journey

Frank Tjepkema (born 1970) is a renowned Dutch designer based in Amsterdam, celebrated for his innovative work in interior design, architecture, product design, and jewelry. His distinctive approach blends artistic vision with social commentary, creating designs that resonate with contemporary culture.

Raised in Geneva, Brussels, and New York, Tjepkema settled in the Netherlands, where he graduated cum laude from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 1996 and earned an MA from the Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam in 1998. His groundbreaking graduation project on artificial nature garnered immediate acclaim and was selected for the prestigious Droog Design collection. This early success sparked a series of high-profile collaborations with Droog, including the innovative Do Break (2000), the award-winning British Airways Executive Lounge at Heathrow (2004), and the Chair of Textures, showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2006 in collaboration with Friedman Benda gallery.

Founding Tjep.

In 2001, Tjepkema founded Tjep., his Amsterdam-based design studio. Alongside leading commercial projects, he creates provocative art and exhibition pieces, such as the Recession Chair, Bling Bling, and Oogst, which challenge conventions and reflect societal themes. His work is exhibited in globally influential galleries, including Tajan in Paris and Droog in Amsterdam, as well as major institutions like the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Cooper Hewitt, and the Museum of Art and Design in New York.

A Philosophy of Passion

Tjepkema describes his philosophy: “My work reflects the spirit of our times, often with a touch of irony but always crafted with passion. Through gallery pieces and the Tjep. collection, I explore an artistic approach, while Tjep. studio collaborates with diverse clients to deliver exceptional designs infused with soul.”

Shaping Design Education

A sought-after educator, Tjepkema has lectured at prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Design Academy Eindhoven, Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam (where he served as Head of Department from 2001–2004), Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Iceland Academy of the Arts in Reykjavik, and the Acadia Summer Arts Program in Maine, USA. He has also spoken in Japan, Malaysia, Spain, and Hungary, and has been a featured speaker at major design conferences, including Design Indaba (twice), What Design Can Do, and Singapore Design Challenge 2050.

Influencing Design Governance

Tjepkema’s influence extends to design governance, having served on the board of the Premsela Foundation, the examination commission of the Dutch Foundation for Art and Design, and as a juror for the Dutch Design Awards and the Françoise van den Bosch Award. His multifaceted career continues to shape the global design landscape with creativity and purpose.

Original ambrotype photo by Otto Dorenbos, 2025

Toine Schoester
Project Manager Sector Spacial Projects Eindhoven

“ We collaborated with Frank on the light artwork ‘De Zwerm’, from design to realization. The inspiring approach and flexible attitude throughout the process resulted in a light artwork that generated incredible enthusiasm. The collaboration exceeded our expectations for a landmark at this unique location. ”

Awards

  1. 1996 Nominated Wolkenkrabber Award

  2. 2001 Nominated Rotterdam Design Award

  3. 2003 Nominated Rotterdam Design Award

  4. 2003 Honorable mention Tiara for Maxima

  5. 2003 Winner Stocke Iens Award with Praq

  6. 2004 Winner Dutch Design Awards, category interior design with Airco Tree

  7. 2004 Winner Dutch Design Awards, category fashion design with Bling Bling

  8. 2006 Praq is selected by the book Cool Brands

  9. 2006 Fabbrica nominated for the dutch design Awards

  10. 2006 Immaterial trophy selected for the Dutch Design Awards

  11. 2007 Fabbrica nominated for the Hospitality Awards

  12. 2007 Waater nominated for the bottledwaterworld awards

  13. 2007 ROC Apeldoorn honorable mention Dutch Design Awards

  14. 2007 Tjep. nominated for the Harrie Tillie Award

  15. 2008 ROC Apeldoorn shortlisted for the Lensvelt de Architect interieurprijs

  16. 2008 Praq nominated for the Dutch Design Awards category design for all

  17. 2008 Praq nominated for the Hospitality Awards

  18. 2010 Clockwork Love nominated for The Dutch Design Awards, fashion

  19. 2011 Frontier Awards shortlist for House of Tulips

  20. 2011 International Design Awards, honorable mention for Schiphol lounge 3

  21. 2014 Winner Editors Choice Award Prague Designblok

  22. 2015 Winner of The International Yacht & Aviation Awards. House of tulips in the category airport retail concept.

  23. 2018 Nominated for The International Yacht & Aviation Awards. Eau best concept yacht larger than 60 meters.

  24. 2020 Winner of the National Staal Award for Zwerm, Eindhoven.

  25. 2021 Nominated Dirk Roosenburg Award for Zwerm, Eindhoven.

  26. 2023 Muse Creative Awards, Gold for Museumkwartier Den Haag augmented reality experience

Collections

Street view with a decorative bike rack sculpture in front of a building with large windows and a sign that reads 'Hudson's Bay', flanked by trees and a streetlamp. 
Jasper van der Graaf
Director Center for Contemporary Culture

“ Frank Tjepkema knows how to combine imagination with clear concepts. This is effective. In addition to a fitting idea, excellent materialization, and execution, the work has a clear aesthetic. This adds extra meaning to the word sustainability: beauty lasts longer. ”

A man sitting on a metallic chair outdoors near a glass building with several bronze and colored chairs scattered on the paved ground.

*

Vinomadefied (vĭn-ō-măd′ə-fīd) adj.

  1. A state of being richly infused with creative inspiration and fulfillment, as if soaked in the finest wine of the soul, achieved only through delivering exceptional, passionate work that transcends mere expectation. Etymology: From Latin vīnum (wine) + madefīerī (to be soaked), with a modern extension reflecting artistic and emotional saturation; first adapted in this context by Tjep. design philosophy, 2014. Usage: "After pouring her heart into the project, she felt truly vinomadefied, her soul alight with the joy of creation." Synonyms: Inspired, enraptured, fulfilled. Related Forms: Vinomadefication (n.), the process or act of becoming vinomadefied.

The 10 Recommendations by Tjep.

  1. Thou shalt not makest boring designs.

  2. Thou shalt let anything and everything relevant trigger thy thoughts.

  3. Thou shalt embrace the possibilities offered by the digital revolution. Thou shalt embrace the possibilities offered by any revolution including the AI revolution.

  4. By all means thy focus shalt remain craftsmanship and impeccable quality in every project and product.

  5. All the while thou shalt remember not to conform to systems, dogmas or preconceptions, not even thy own ones.

  6. Thou shalt not bow to the fickle whims of what wandering souls deem the market.

  7. Thou shalt shun fleeting trends, instead serving thy brothers and sisters by forging a unique path, thy own trend to lead and inspire.

  8. Let not the shadow of what is called crisis dim thy resolve—rise above with steadfast purpose.

  9. O mortal, with every endeavor, thou shalt exceed expectations, delivering more than is asked, for only then shalt thy soul be vinomadefied*.

  10. Do not forget: thou shalt not makest boring designs.

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