LIVING
Living usually includes complete houses or interiors. Very thoughtful and with insight from the residents. A house is different and very thoughtfully put together sometimes with a bit of craziness too but certainly user-friendly for the owners and their children (if they have). A private story of the owners; their individuality, their focus, and their ‘craziness ‘. Sometimes it has to do with their work and sometimes not. Depending on their profession and their education. I always try something new. In keeping the locals, their specialties, of time or era where in we are living. I am incredibly creative; always better than a usual standard home… It takes some time to accept. Sometime even more than a year
USING
Using consists mainly of making things. Such as (design) products or complete interiors. Certainly, more user-friendly I think….and it ‘fits’ better into the interior. Sometimes things are adapted with materials that suit the people. In other words: they are looking for powerful products that ‘fit’ perfectly into the environment. Sometimes my ‘own’ products, or products that ‘match’ to the owners and their interior. The products are always timeless, especially in using them, or it is the material, the colors, but also the shape is very important. Usually your interior (products) can be used for many, many years and more…
LEARNING
Learning has to do with teaching. Usually, the Academy is on university level. Many students are smarter than usual. I teach to students to think and to act in a differently way. I always watch what students are doing. If they want to make something, it’s always good. It can be anything… It can be a drawings or fascinating by materials. Anything is possible and later it can be more perfect. Everything is Design. Sometimes students are more creative than adults. I’ve given many lessons to students in Germany, Belgium and the most of all in the Netherlands. Don’t talk too much; but make a lot…. That is my motto. Would you like to read my CV? Just say it and I will send it to you.
CONTACT
Joseph Laugs is a Dutch designer established in Toronto. Until recently, he has taught for over 20 years at Maastricht Institute of Arts (ABKM), a ZUYD University faculty in the south of the Netherlands.
Besides teaching, he runs a company, WALKING BLUE (formerly Studio Laugs Design), since 1988. He first started studying Art, Architecture & Design, then, specialized in Design & Architecture for interior/house and museum/commercial exhibit spaces. His design career brought him to teach at the academic level and for groups of professionals.
“While working, I constantly seek to discover new things from my clients and students. DO IT, DO IT and DO IT again; that was the motto of the teachers at the time. Whatever you imagine, you should be able to make it with your hands. And I still think that way, especially in enhancing creativity while experimenting to develop innovative ideas.”