We recently caught up with the Studio de Ronners team! Started 15 years ago by brothers Arwen and Matthijs Ronner, the studio works with print and digital design and loves bold ideas and bright concepts. Apart from design, they are very passionate about beer and clean typography, so much so that Arwen and Matthijs are shareholders in ‘Maallust’ a beer brand they co-founded, and —of course—designed.
How did you name your practice and what does the name represent to you?
Arwen and Matthijs Ronner are the two brothers who started the studio 15 years ago. Back then everyone was calling them ‘de jongens Ronners’ (translated as the Ronner boys). But like every boy that grows up, the studio was getting older and bigger so they had to change their name into something more appropriate. Still referring to their catchy last name they changed their name to ’studio de Ronners’. In Belgium, it sounds a little funkier, but that makes it even better.
Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.
We are a studio for print and digital design. We love bold ideas and bright concepts. Our portfolio is broadly oriented: from websites for start-ups, architectural publications and exhibition design to brand campaigns and identities for cultural organizations. Apart from design, we are passionate about beer and clean typography.
Who are your top five design crushes globally right now?
Graphic designers: Paul Ibou, (Belgian), Karol Sliwka, (Polish)
Belgian designer: Muller Van Severen
Dutch designer: Bert Jan Pot
US design brand agency: We Are Collins
What qualities and skills to you look for in a graduate?
Speak up, stand out, dare to make mistakes, don’t follow the hype and have fun while doing this.
Speak up, stand out, dare to make mistakes, don’t follow the hype and have fun while doing this.
Any passion projects/collabs you would like to share?
As a studio, we are very passionate about beer branding. So it isn’t any wonder Arwen and Matthijs are shareholders of ‘Maallust’, a beer brand they co-founded, and—of course—designed. As well as the beer range, the design and its custom-made typeface keep on evolving.
Who’s on the team, what are their roles and why do you love them?
We are a small but flexible team of creative designers. The perfect balance between Dutch boldness and Belgian finesse. As founders Arwen and Matthijs put the creatives in the right direction, supporting each of them to try new things and speak up for themselves, every opinion counts! Wilfred was their first intern and keeps everybody sharp with his lovable perfectionism and drive. Lieselot was born brainstorming and adds the unmissable female touch. Robbert keeps everything clean and works so fast he probably designed a book while typing this. And as for Thomas, he is the most thorough designer you will ever meet!
Where to find Studio de Ronners online.
Website: deronners.com
Instagram: @deronners
