I knew that I wanted to do something creative, apart from that I had no idea. The future was a white canvas. I followed model drawing classes at the local art school and a course in graphic design. A couple of former colleagues and a good friend did a PhD and they asked me if I wanted to design their thesis cover. This is how it started. Now, I’m already a couple of years further and I’ve designed over 400 thesis covers.
What I enjoy is combining your personal story with your scientific subject. I love it that I need to switch on my brain all the time. I feel like a scientific journalist every now and then: I get to know a lot of what is going on in the scientific world. My brain has become a ‘creative fountain’. At first the ideas came with drops, now it’s a constant stream. I know exactly what I need to do to let it flow: walking, cycling and in the morning when I haven’t completely waked up yet the ideas come. Mostly I talk to you, I write down some key words on my hand and then go off for a walk. As soon as I can let things go, the idea pops into my mind.
Now, the ideas do not only appear on the basis of a thesis, but also by itself. Two years ago I started making my own picture book. A personal project, that has grown to be a real book, published by Lemniscaat and in the stores at the end of this year. I’m very proud and still can’t believe I’ll hold my book in my hands soon. The story is about friendship and how sharing makes things even more beautiful. I hope the book will fill my readers with a warm feeling. Then, it’s really finished.
