Rogier Rosema, founder and creative director of Things to Make and Do, believes the most important aspect of a design is that it makes an impact. “Form follows feeling,” he says. This personal ethos is reflected in his agency’s culture, which caters to people and organizations with a social heart. “We create impactful communications and meaningful solutions to social issues, always based on purpose and necessity,” Rosema says. “We work with clients who want to make the world a better place, just like us.”

Rosema’s agency is located in The Hague, the Netherlands, a place that undeniably influences his creations. “Dutch design is known for its minimalist and functional approach, focusing on clarity of form and purpose,” Rosema says. “It emphasizes strong concepts, where the idea behind the design is just as important as the product itself.” Rosema notes that this type of design often includes a touch of humor or a critical message and values innovation, social awareness, and a down-to-earth attitude. “As visual beings, it’s only natural that living in this country shapes us in one way or another,” Rosema says.

He was exposed to design, creativity, and the arts at a young age. “I think the creative arts have been passed down through generations in my family,” Rosema says. “My great-grandfather was a coppersmith and designed light fixtures. My grandfather was an entrepreneur and photographer, and my father studied at the Arnhem Art Academy. He eventually became a teacher of creative subjects like textile design, handicrafts, and drawing.” One of Rosema’s earliest memories was watching his father create a sculpture of him and his mother. “I think that’s where this all originated,” he says.