Here's our first selection of work from the graduate show at Design Academy Eindhoven, which opened yesterday during Dutch Design Week. The exhibition continues until October 26.

Designer: Maarten De Ceulaer
Department: Man and Living
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.maartendeceulaer.com
Photo by Astrid Zuidema
Project: Pile of Suitcases
Description: A pile of suitcases functioning as a classy wardrobe with a variable composition and well-measured compartments. Steel profiles keep the pile firmly together, leaving ample room for change.

Designer: Léon de Lange
Department: Man and Living
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.leondelange.nl
Photo by Astrid Zuidema
Project: Karakters
Description: The functions of sitting, lying down, and leaning are cleverly combined in these stools. What’s more, the stools redefine space as they can be placed against the wall, and near or high up above the floor.

Designer: Reinier Korstanje
Department Man and Leisure
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.reinierkorstanje.nl
Photo by Vincent van Gurp
Project: OKES oak lifestyle bike
Description: The oak frame of this sustainable, no-nonsense bike is made by means of a computer-controlled CNC milling machine. The bike comes in three models ranging from a cool low-rider to a sturdy city bike.

Designer: Takeshi Kuboi
Department: Man and Well-Being
Graduated: 2008
Photo by Marjan Holmer
Project: Slow Stationery
Description: Five office accessories radiating the warmth and cosiness of home. The A4 paper-holder almost seems to wait on and attend, the paper, while the letter trays and photo frames make one think of soup bowls.

Designer: Joni Neelen
Department: Man and Activity
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.jonineelen.nl
Photo by Vincent van Gurp
Project: Preparing dreams
Description: To keep your ‘home away from home’ tidy, this bed frame is equipped with a bedside lamp and a clothes rack. The bed linen shows a subtle print of underwear, jewellery and toiletries.

Designer: Igino van Haandel
Department: Man and Well-Being
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.igino.nl
Photo by Marielle Leenders
Project: Doorlight
Description: The ultimate innovation in green energy! The power supply of the five ultra-bright LEDs in Doorlight comes from opening and closing a door. The energy suffices to light a hall or toilet for at least three-and-a half minutes.

Designer: Guus van Leeuwen
Department: Man & Well-Being
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.gewoonguus.nl
Photo by René van der Hulst
Project: Huis Dieren
Description: Heating pipes shaped like the skeletons of animals covered with their own fleece: a sheep, a fox, a deer’s antlers. Stuffed with heat-retaining wheat, the coverings can be functional anywhere in the house.

Designer: Els Woldhek
Department: Man and Living
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.whatels.net
Photo by Astrid Zuidema
Project: Accidentels
Description: In electroplating, an object is coated with a layer of metal by means of electricity. When left alone, however, this industrial technique produces the most incredible forms. Not planned or intended: Accidentals.

Designer: Nathan Wierink
Department: Man & Activity
Graduated: 2008
Website: www.ontwerpduo.nl
Photo by Lisa Klappe
Project: Joints
Description: In the old days, hand-made wood joints used to be just functional. A small change in the shape of this wood joint, however, makes the joint functional as well as decorative.

Below is the press release about Graduation Galleries 2008:

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Exhibition of the graduation projects of the graduates of Design Academy Eindhoven October 18 through October 26, 2008

On October 18, Mr Plasterk, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, opens the exhibition Graduation Galleries 2008. In this exhibition, Design Academy Eindhoven proudly presents the graduation works of the new crop of graduates of the DAE Bachelor and Master courses. The graduation works are characterised by a unique sense of individualism. The exhibition design is by Piet Hein Eek, who graduated from the Academy in 1991. Besides the exhibition of the graduation projects 2008, there is a separate exhibition of the work of the current DAE students. The exhibition New Living Collection - House of the Clouds presents the results of a collaborative project of the students of Design Academy Eindhoven and the Dutch Interior Institute (NII). The exhibitions run from October 18 through October 26, 2008.

Authentic
Original, as in wilful, peculiar, single handed and obstinate, contemporary and full of haughtiness. ‘Me’ is the motive behind the process from the concept to creation and ultimately leads to an original design. Yet it is remarkable that of one’s own does not mean individualistic, quite the contrary. This new ego is social, ecologic and concerned with the world, stands firmly in the centre of life and uses all methods and matter available and works on a personal vision to come to universal solutions.

(Li Edelkoort, October 2008)