Belgian designer Wim Segers receives Henry van de Velde Lifetime Achievement Award 2022
On February 8, Belgian designer Wim Segers received the prestigious Henry van de Velde Lifetime Achievement Award from Flanders DC, the governmental commissioned institute supporting creative entrepreneurs. During a closed ceremony at Brussels’ famous arts center Bozar, the jury awarded the all-round designer of Studio Segers for ‘his nononsense design and integrated approach that guarantees professionalism, timeless simplicity, functionality and sustainability’.
Wim: “This award is a special honour and recognition for our entire design team. This is not an end point, but the start for a new generation that combines experience with youthful dynamism.” Visuals of Segers’ designs for renowned brands such as Vasco, Trib , Mecam and Saunaco are showcased at the free exhibition from February 9 to
April 10, 2022 in the Foyers of Bozar.
Wim Segers, allround designer
This Henry van de Velde Lifetime Achievement Award is a recognition for the 40-year career of Wim Segers. Wim now joins the list of prominent creative personalities such as fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester, architects Vincent van Duysen and Bart Lens, illustrator Ever Vermeulen and artist Piet Stockmans.
The Flanders DC jury lauded Wim as ‘an all-round designer who, with his no-nonsense design and integrated approach, guarantees professionalism, timeless simplicity, functionality and sustainability. Wim Segers speaks the language of the companies and for that he is very much appreciated. The fact that he’s passing on his approach and accumulated knowledge and experience to the next generation is also very much appreciated by the jury.’
Local craftsmanship, international resonance
Wim: “We do not consider design a superficial layer we simply put over a product. Design is an intrinsic process. We always look for the right solution with the necessary attention to detail. Functionality, durability and comfort are the building blocks for any of our creations. This results in designs with a clean, pure aesthetic that transcends all fashion trends.”
“As a designer you have responsibilities, it’s your duty to constantly question yourself critically, to dare to doubt, always wanting to do better and to never be content. We are fortunate that dynamic companies such as Vasco, Trib , Mecam, Saunaco and many other national and international brands believe in the power and value of good design. At the moment we’re working on projects in the Czech Republic, Portugal, Israel, Denmark, Italy and the US.”
Studio Segers, a 3-in-1 family business
Wim Segers dedicates his Lifetime Achievement Award to the entire Studio Segers design team. In the early 1990s, Wim started the design studio together with his partner, graphic designer Rita Westhovens. The crossover between product design and graphic design has always been an important asset. Since the start, the couple has worked for companies such as Vasco and Trib , two strong local players with international allure.
Wim: “Over the past decade, our sons Bob (product designer) and Raf (architect) have joined our team, along with their partners Marjan Brants (graphic designer) and Danielle Joosten (interior designer). Today Studio Segers consists of a team of 10 solid members. Our work varies from contemporary architecture to product design and graphic design, three disciplines that seamlessly blend and reinforce one another.”
The launch of a new generation
This Lifetime Achievement Award is not an end point. Wim: ”For us, this feels like a pivotal moment in which the balance between experience and young enthusiasm gradually moves towards a dynamic young team with experience. Rita and I built the foundations of a healthy family business. We are proud of the passion and energy our team radiates, which has found its way both nationally and internationally.”
