Portfolio Anouk Verstuyft

CREATIVE PORTFOLIO

Anouk Verstuyft

Hi there, I am a product developer with a profound interest in biodesign and new materials.

Through design, we are empowered to contribute something to the world. I am very keen on contributing my share by being part of the new emerging movement of biodesign, where, for the first time, we are radically rethinking the extraction and discarding of materials, as well as the role and perception of a material. As Antoine Lavoisier beautifully phrases: ‘In nature nothing is created and nothing is destroyed, but everything is transformed.’ Following the aim not taking more than what can be given back, is something I resonate deeply with, both in the context of sustainable design and beyond.

Apart from my passion for design, I see myself as a person with a multitude of interests. I work part-time in the Opera House of Antwerp, which initially started as a student job but quickly emerged as a place I fell in love with. In my spare time, you will most probably find me in a museum, a concert venue or a local cinema. At home, I am mostly into creating my own things, from paintings to flavoury meals.

Born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1999.

QUALIFICATION

2017 - 2020

BACHELOR DEGREE

Product Development BA

- University of Antwerp

2020

ERASMUS EXCHANGE

Collaborative & Industrial Design

- Aalto University

2020 - 2022

MASTER DEGREE

Product Development MA

- University of Antwerp

EXPERIENCE

2021

ALAIN BERTEAU DESIGNWORKS

Internship - Brussels

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2021

iF DESIGN TALENT AWARD

Category ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’

Par-Ki-Sho

2022

ECODESIGN AWARD NOMINEE

MycoCreation

2022

NATURAL MATERIAL STUDIO

Internship - Copenhagen

2023

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL Research Group MICR

Part-time Research Assistant in Mycelium Materials

CIRCULAR MATTERS

Part-time Product Developer

LANGUAGES

Dutch - mother tongue

English - advanced

French - advanced

German - basic

SOFT SKILLS

Structured and organised

Independent work attitude

Not afraid to ask for guidance

Easy to blend in a social environment

Creative and flexible mind

HARD SKILLS

Adobe 3D Modelling

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

Drawing

Painting

Art

Cooking

Literature

Dance & Opera

Music

Film

Travelling

Nature

Rendering

Programming

Prototyping

Lab work

ADRESS Quellinstraat 13 bus 401 2018 Antwerp Belgium

InDesign Photoshop

Illustrator After Effects

SolidWorks

Basics of Blender

Basics of Rhino

Visualize Keyshot

Arduino

3D Print

Lasercut Wood & Metal Work

Bacterial Cellulose and Mycelium Cultivation

EMAIL anoukverstuyft@gmail.com

PHONE +32 (0) 478076319

ONLINE PORTFOLIO https://issuu.com/anoukverstuyft/ docs/verstuyft_anouk_portfolio_scherm

INSTAGRAM DESIGN ACCOUNT @anoukverstuyftworks

Par-Ki-Sho are sneakers that improve the walking abilities of people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. The goal of this shoe is to both solve the gait disorders of a Parkinson’s patient, as to break the stigma around this disease by offering a fashionable shoe.

Par-Ki-Sho was awarded with the ‘IF Design Talent Award 2021’ under the category ‘Good Health and Well-Being’. This project was elaborated in a team of 3 students and took place during my Erasmus exchange at the Aalto University in Finland.

The sneakers come with a removable vibrating sole and a discrete laser component that projects horizontal lines in front of the wearer, both proven walking enhancing technologies. The sneaker is easy to put on – you simply slide your foot in and use handy straps to tighten the shoe, an action that can easily be done even with trembling hands.

The battery that will power the electronics in the Par-Ki-Sho, is stored in the midsole. Between the insole and the midsole, there is another sole that is provided with vibration motors. The laser component is connected with this sole through conductive yarn that is sewn into one of the straps. The needed code for this idea, has been programmed and tested on an actual sneaker. In this way we can demonstrate that this a concept that really can work.

MYCOCREATION

Living organisms such as fungi are opening a new paradigm in terms of developing sustainable materials and products. In the last decade, the potential of mycelium-based materials has been widely explored, as they can be considered renewable and biodegradable.

When the material is kept alive, it can acquire unprecedented ‘smart’ properties, such as the ability to fuse parts together, regenerate or react to its environment. However, little is known about the possibilities of living mycelium material, which opens up new perspectives for further research.

This Master’s thesis design research MycoCreation explores how the unique living properties of mycelium material can be of use within the framework of design. Specifically, this is undertaken by developing a promising concept for three unique living properties; namely ‘bio-welding’, ‘healing’ and ‘environment sensing’. Furthermore, the influence of the unique capabilities of the living material on the current limitations of material production and the negative connotations of fungi were studied.

While researching one of the concepts, the idea emerged to colour mycelium. Within design, colour is of primary essence. Therefore, demonstrating the possibility of varying in tones truly contributes to the development of the material. Playing its part in paving the way to acceptance, it overcomes limitations such as a dirty and unclean appearance.

MycoCreation was nominated for the ‘Ecodesign Award 2022’ by OVAM under the category ‘Everyday Life’.

DESIGN RESEARCH MA Thesis

ECODESIGN AWARD NOMINEE 2022

Mycelium is capable of healing itself, which is better known as regeneration. If mycelium can heal itself, can it also heal other materials?

This question was researched by attempting to repair textiles through the healing property of mycelium. Holes, frays and other damages are sealed.

THE MYCELIUM BOOKLET

The Mycelium Booklet is a design guide for those about to start working with mycelium-based materials. The booklet attempts to translate biological knowledge that may be of interest within design in an easy-to-understand and accessible manner. This to trigger and inspire, as well as to elevate the status of fungi and enhance their acceptance. Equally, the booklet is intended to alert and remind enthusiastic designers of the less obvious issues they will encounter for the first time.

REUSABLE GIFT WRAP

During my internship at Natural Material Studio in Copenhagen, I had the chance to take part in the creation of a reusable Christmas gift wrap in commission for Calvin Klein.

The neutral-toned pouches are formed from handmade sheets of ‘Procel’, a biotextile developed by the studio, containing a mix of protein bioplastic, natural softener and natural pigments.

Rather than a traditional roll of disposable wrapping paper, bespoke pouches were created in three different sizes to accommodate Calvin Klein’s various products. Challenging the whole single-use culture that especially accelerates during Christmas, the gift wrapping was designed to be repurposed as a small purse-like bag after Christmas. The pouches are also recyclable and biodegradable.

NATURAL MATERIAL STUDIO Internship FOR CALVIN KLEIN 2022

EPHEMATERIALS

Ephematerials, a compound of ‘ephemeral’ and ‘materials’, is a synergetic collaboration exploring the creation of collagenbased biomaterials for fashion. The project was carried out for the 3BA Collection ‘A Portrait of A Lady’ by Margot Verstuyft, a fashion student at the Royal Academy of Antwerp. The developed accessories included bags, boots, shoe covers and earrings.

Central to the project is the aim of introducing individuals to these new and unfamiliar, but groundbreaking biodegradable materials. It emphasizes the importance of interacting and engaging with materials that do not yet have an extensive historical presence in our lives.

The biomaterials used in Ephematerials, are recastable for new purposes and naturally compostable after intended use. The project celebrates the inherent impermanence of these materials, showcases their unique aesthetic appeal and encourages audiences to redefine our understanding of materials. Ephematerials envisions a future where fashion is not only visually captivating, but also embodies environmental responsibility, contributing to a more sustainable world.

Fashion Collection: Margot Verstuyft

Model: Sybil Kennes

Make-up: Joek Janssens

Fashion Collection: Margot Verstuyft

Model: Sybil Kennes

Make-up: Joek Janssens