Mirjam and Merel: the design duo behind Makus
Makus is not just a product, it's a vision. This vision is shaped by two people: Merel Philippart, founder of Makus, and Mirjam, a designer with a background from the Design Academy Eindhoven. Mirjam has been involved with Makus from the very beginning. Initially as a permanent designer, now as an advisor. We spoke to the duo about design, collaboration, and timelessness.
How did you two meet?
Merel: "We know each other thanks to a program for sustainable entrepreneurs at the Impact Hub in Amsterdam. The nice thing about that program was that there was a lot of interaction and exchange between all the different entrepreneurs."
Mirjam: "Everyone helped each other with their knowledge. That way, it soon became clear that with my design background, I could help Merel realize her ideas for Makus."
How do you come up with new designs?
Merel: "We are constantly engaged with trends, in terms of colors and patterns, but also social trends. Think of the meaning of a kitchen or the place of the kitchen in the house."
Mirjam: "What is very important to us is that the designs are ultimately timeless. You buy an induction hob for a long time — you don't want to get tired of the design within a few years. If we have found a trend that suits Makus, we work out different options that we have evaluated by a group of consumers."
What is the strength of your collaboration?
Mirjam: "Working with Merel doesn't feel like working. We share the same enthusiasm and that strengthens each other. Furthermore, we each have our own expertise in which we fully trust and complement each other. The discussion that arises ensures that we ultimately achieve the best result. That way, we keep learning from each other."
Merel: "Amen."
What are you currently working on?
Merel: "We would like to expand the range, with both designs and functionalities. For example, you now see a lot of induction with integrated extraction on the market. By also offering that option, we provide even more possibilities to arrange your kitchen to your own taste. We want to ensure that your induction hob also fits your kitchen, to enable even more people to cook fossil-free!"
Finally
Curious about the designs Mirjam and Merel have created? Discover the full Makus collection →
