The best young Dutch design talent showcased in smart new book

Here at It’s Nice That we love discovering young creative talent – and feel a responsibility to identify and promote new artists and designers – but the challenge can sometimes feel daunting. So anything that can help point us in the right direction is hugely appreciated, such as this new book from Dutch creative site Fontanel. It has run a feature called The Fontanel Finals for the past five years, a scheme which showcases graduation shows and identifies the most interesting practitioners it finds each summer.

Now editor-in-chief Willem van Roosmalen and Rob van den Nieuwenhuizen of DRAWSWORDS studio have decided this showcase “deserved an upgrade” and so they’ve produced this nicely-designed book to give the young talents “a physical stage, an elegant stage” to show off their brilliance. It includes profiles of the chosen 19, as well as nice insights from established Dutch creatives like Jordy van den Nieuwendijk and Femke Agema. It is, by its very nature, an eclectic tome but through intelligent use of blue text, titles and blue-scaled imagery, the designers tie it all together into a cohesive whole.

In the book’s introduction, Willem reflects: "Each talent is remarkably distinct. Yet they also share what makes this all worth it: the combination of a promising attitude and unspoilt creative thinking. A combination that has the power to inspire and redefine. One has to stand still to realise and celebrate this. I hope this book does just that.”

The book is available over at the Fontanel website.