Tom Munneke: Be True to Yourself and Push Your Boundaries
Graphic Designer
by Elizabeth Lavis
|16 Oct 2024
For Tom Munneke, Graphic Designer for Studio Duel and surfing enthusiast, the number one thing that aspiring designers need to know is to be themselves and go outside their comfort zones. “I think it’s important to stay true to yourself and push your own boundaries,” he says. “In addition to creating work for clients, engaging in personal projects is crucial for development.”
Munneke lives in The Hague, an oceanside city that fuels his creativity through a mix of urban landscape and nature. “The sea, intertwined with the city, has consistently been a profound wellspring of inspiration for me,” he says. As a child, Munneke discovered his love for design through drawing, mainly graphics associated with skateboarding and surfing. Today, he still finds himself drawn to those early sources of inspiration. “In addition to design, surfing, sign painting, and photography are what drive me,” Munneke says.
When working with clients, Munneke establishes trust and rapport quickly by communicating clearly, keeping his commitments, and letting them know if something is not feasible. “We work together to find a solution,” he says. “Communication is the key!”
"A Hopeful Future", Studio Duel
He also establishes realistic project timelines and avoids burnout by allocating specific time slots to each project and sticking with them. He also draws a lot of solace and restoration from the sea. “Being close to the beach allows me the luxury of occasionally going surfing, which clears my mind and rejuvenates me with fresh energy to return to work,” he says.
He keeps his cool and maintains a calm disposition when dealing with harsh client criticism and delicately balances strategy and design by aligning artistic vision and overall goals. “It’s all about melding the analytical aspects of strategy with the imaginative aspects of creativity to produce a design that not only looks visually appealing but serves its intended purpose,” Munneke says.
To help his creativity take shape, Munneke relies on some trusted tools of the trade. “I extensively use the Adobe Master Collection, including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and After Effects,” he says. “Additionally, I enjoy working in Figma and am actively exploring and advancing my skills in tools like Cavalry.”
Ultimately, what drives Munneke most is the sheer joy of creating. “The process of crafting creative work allows me to explore limitless possibilities, express my unique perspective, and bring ideas to life visually,” he says. “There’s satisfaction in turning concepts into tangible, visually striking designs. The blend of artistic expression and problem-solving makes each project a fulfilling and exciting journey for me.”
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