Thonik Founders Reflect on 30 Years of Collaborative Design
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, thonik, a design studio based in Amsterdam and established in 1993 by Nikki Gonnissen and Thomas Widdershoven, has made significant contributions to various projects. Notable works include branding for Schiphol Airport, Keukenhof Spring Garden, Dutch Design Week, Almaty Museum of Arts, and a campaign for VPRO. In a conversation with PRINT Magazine's Daily Heller, they reflect on their evolving collaborative approach, especially with the advent of digital tools. They recount the extensive effort to persuade over 50 directors in Amsterdam to embrace a new city identity. Their diverse team emphasizes the importance of collaboration in achieving success, viewing AI as a creative challenge while promoting shared pride over individual recognition.
Key facts
- thonik was co-founded in 1993 by Nikki Gonnissen and Thomas Widdershoven in Amsterdam.
- The studio's name combines 'tho' from Thomas and 'nik' from Nikki, with 'tonic' meaning a drink that gives energy.
- Key projects include Schiphol Airport, Keukenhof Spring Garden and Castle, Dutch Design Week, Almaty Museum of Arts, City of Amsterdam, and VPRO.
- VPRO has been a client for 16 consecutive years.
- The Amsterdam city identity redesign took an afternoon to design but a year to implement, requiring buy-in from over 50 directors.
- The studio collaborates with clients, such as M+ museum in Hong Kong, through strategic workshops.
- The team typically includes at least five different nationalities, with one or two from Asia.
- Gonnissen and Widdershoven believe collaboration is a counter-movement to AI's impact on human creativity.
Entities
Artists
- Nikki Gonnissen
- Thomas Widdershoven
Institutions
- thonik
- Schiphol Airport
- Keukenhof Spring Garden and Castle
- Dutch Design Week
- Almaty Museum of Arts
- City of Amsterdam
- VPRO
- M+ museum
- Boijmans van Beuningen
- DEPOT
- Venice Biennale
- Holland Festival
- Robin Food Coalition
- Power Station of Art
- Phion Symphony Orchestra
- FILA
- PRINT Magazine
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Hong Kong
- Almaty
- Shanghai
- Venice