Ik Willem #1 Feb. 2016 | Page 35

“ What’s the most recent project you’ve worked on? Redbull fridge design, they asked me to design 6 fridges. When did you realize for the first time, that you were a creative person? Not sure if I realized it back then, but when I was 3 or 4 I started drawing on all the note blocks I could find and on the all the walls in the house hahaha. When was the last time you had goosebumps? I’m in Bali now in a small village called Ubud, I must to say this place gives me goosebumps all over. How and where do you reach for your limits? Conquering all fears. What did you learn from the Willem de Kooning University? To follow your own path and take matters into your own hands. Who is your ultimate client or collaboration partner? I always use the following formula: ‘the holy PPP’ which stands for ‘plezier, prestige and poen’ (pleasure, prestige and money). If the job has two out of three, I’ll take it. Otherwise I won’t. If the job has three out of three it means the job will be awesome. 34 Have you ever received a critical comment from someone, which pushed you forward? I can’t think of anything concrete at the moment but I’m sure that’s the case. My dad always has something to say… About everything… But that has always motivated me to really, REALLY make it happen. #lifegoals? Become a Rock God “ How would your best friends describe you? Hard headed, a little prevailing but always there. What was your first music album? Stankonia by Outkast. What are the qualifications of great work in your opinion? When the work is very personal, or speaks for itself, then no matter how simple or complicated, you’ll feel that it has been made with attention and devotion. www.iwansmit.com What are your favourite hotspots? Work as well as pleasure. Work: my studio at the Westzeedijk (just a floor beneath my house). Pleasure: my house at the Westzeedijk (just a floor above my studio). Aside from that I love to hang in the ALOHA bar in Rotterdam. What are reoccurring themes within your work? Women, mythology and life.