TALK - DIEDERIK
TALK - Diederik
Who is Diederik? I am Diederik Dam, a creative guy who moved to Amsterdam thirteen years ago and hasn’t left since. With a background in Product Design from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, I have mastered the art of tackling any challenge head-on. When I set my mind to something, I dive in fully until it’s accomplished, often resulting in many sleepless nights. But hey, who needs sleep when you’re fueled by passion and creativity?
Why did you start ‘Werkwaardig’? In 2016, Timo and I decided to launch Werkwaardig, a design label that stands for iconic products with character. Werkwaardig was born out of our frustration with the overwhelming abundance of soulless, overproduced products. Our mission is to create products that infuse color, concept, story, and a touch of playfulness into our customers’ interiors. We always strive for high quality with a focus on nature and sustainability, ensuring that every space feels unique and personal.
What defines you as a designer? I don’t see myself as just a designer, but more as an inventor. Someone who comes up with ideas, concepts, and stories. I don’t focus only on the tiny details, but I can create products that make an impact. I strive to be as versatile as possible. I see every challenge as an opportunity to learn something new.
By diving in and doing the work, I’ve gained experience in photography, graphic design, 3D modeling, and video production. This broad skill set ensures that our distinctive style shines through in every detail of our products. I look for solutions and spot potential, which allows us to constantly innovate and improve, making Werkwaardig products stand out everywhere.
What are you proud of? What truly makes me proud is that our products are now sold all over the world. Our original goal was simply to bring beautiful and well-crafted products to the market, without focusing on profit or sales figures. Now, we aim to offer our products to people in the best possible way. Timo and I have built Werkwaardig from the ground up and do as much as we can ourselves, from packing products to maintaining the website, and from photography to video and interviews. This hands-on approach allows us to infuse every aspect of our work with the detail and attention that makes our products so special.