Founded 18 years ago in Eindhoven, the studio combines commercial products with social impact 

Studio mo man tai, based in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, develops annual installations on sociopolitical themes during Dutch Design Week, always with a positive and accessible approach.

The studio was founded 18 years ago by German industrial designer Ulrike Jurklies. After training as a carpenter and graduating in industrial design, Jurklies worked at an agency in Hong Kong, where she collaborated on projects with local manufacturers. That experience led her to create her own brand. Since 2005, the company has been based in Eindhoven. A few years ago, Paul Bas, a designer with experience in user experience and product design, joined the studio.

The name “mo man tai” comes from Cantonese and means “no problem”.

Photo: Mandy Liebregts

Diverse practice

Beyond graphic and product design services, mo man tai operates as a strategic design studio. The designers believe that good design stimulates a positive attitude towards life.

The studio specialises in concept development, product and interior design. The clear, uncomplicated and colourful aesthetic, combined with the pairing of old traditions with modern production techniques, forms the basis of their work.

Diverse practice

Beyond graphic and product design services, mo man tai operates as a strategic design studio. The designers believe that good design stimulates a positive attitude towards life.

The studio specialises in concept development, product and interior design. The clear, uncomplicated and colourful aesthetic, combined with the pairing of old traditions with modern production techniques, forms the basis of their work.

Sustainability as priority

Sustainability is a central aspect of every product and project developed by the studio, whether through local production or the economical use of waste materials, as well as simple and sustainable packaging.

Much of the products are made from acrylic waste collected by the company PyraSied Xtreme Acrylic. Individual shapes are laser-cut from 3-millimetre waste acrylic sheets, generating no waste.

Once a year, the studio sets aside commercial considerations to present, at Dutch Design Week, a project with a personal starting point.

Presence at multiple locations

This year, during Dutch Design Week, studio mo man tai presents projects at various Eindhoven locations, including Pennings Foundation, Kazerne – Home of Design, Domusdela and Sectie-C.

The “Reflecting Diverseness” installation comprises 175 numbered boxes, each with 50 flowers that accurately represent the statistical cross-section of the Dutch population. After the exhibition, an exclusive number of boxes will be available at the Fenix museum shop in Rotterdam and directly from the studio. Each set comes with a certificate of authenticity and additional information.

Photos: Mandy Liebregts