Tim van der Loo
(Post consumer) Material - Product designer
Tim van der Loo, a Berlin-based Dutch post consumer designer, studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven (BA) and Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin (MA), sees waste as an invaluable resource. Drawing inspiration from critical perspectives on current systems and infrastructures, van der Loo transforms waste discarded by consumers into new design templates. His focus lies squarely on regeneration and resourceful material strategies, underlining his commitment to sustainability.
At the centre of van der Loo's work is material activism, which delves into the intricate nature of materials in a post-capitalist, globalised world. He explores the history and culture behind the objects we interact with daily, questioning their origins and impact. A key role is the people and labour behind the applied material in artefacts that we use. His aim is to pave the way for a more symbiotic ecosystem, ensuring that materials are future-proof and contribute to a better world. Through his practice, van der Loo advocates for a deeper understanding of materiality and its role in shaping our collective future.
In his ongoing project, "New Blue," Tim van der Loo delves into the intricate relationship between denim and culture, exploring how this iconic fabric has evolved into a symbol of rebellion, resistance and uniform worldwide. His investigation extends beyond the material itself to encompass the broader context of the fashion industry. With a critical eye on supply chains, fast consumption, and labour costs, van der Loo confronts the challenges inherent in contemporary fashion production.
In response to these challenges, van der Loo reimagines traditional supply chains and infrastructure. By transforming old, worn-out jeans into fibres, which are then repurposed into a non-woven textile suitable for fashion applications. "New Blue" represents a paradigm shift in manufacturing, offering a regenerative alternative to conventional denim production methods. By recycling discarded denim, van der Loo not only introduces novel aesthetics but also creates truly circular product life cycles, challenging the linear model of consumption and waste. Through "New Blue," he advocates for a regenerative and ethical future that questions current systems and how innovation and responsibility can create symbiotic relationships between all stakeholders.
Activities:
Co - founder Nielsen / Van der Loo GbR - 2021 – 2023
Tim van der Loo (Material designer) and Sandra Nielsen (Techno anthropologist) joined forces together in their new venture, tackling the problem of wasted textiles. With their hands on and in depth field research they work on closing the loop of textiles in the fashion industry. With wasted jeans taking the main stage (New Blue), Nielsen and Van der Loo work together with researchers, scientist and brands to develop circular material products and concepts converting material seen as 'waste' into reincarnated textiles that tell a story of its life before.
Co - founder hands.on.matter - 2018 – 2021
Hands.on.matter unfolds the potentials of novel as well as traditional materials and production techniques as an outset for questioning resource use, consumption, sustainability and material culture of our current time. Through material workshops, talks and collaborative projects hands.on.matter seeks to push forward sustainable practices in the field of art and design
Workshop manager/designer Textilhafen (Komm und Sieh gGmbh) - 2019 – 2020
The local system of donated second-hand clothing is put under a loop at Textilhafen. With its transparent sorting system, the employees are searching for suitable clothing to donate to the homeless of Berlin. Big amounts of clothing are leftover because they do not fit the requirements. Textilhafen is organising events, talks and workshops to create new visions and use the leftover second-hand clothing by giving it new value with reusing, upcycling and recycling.
Education:
M.A. - kunsthochschule berlin weißensee, DE | Textile and Surface design - 2017 – 2019
B.A. - Design Academy Eindhoven, NL | Man and Living - 2012 – 2016
Grants & scholarships:
2021 | Re-FREAM - Awarded artist with the project New Blue
Re-FREAM is a pillar of the STARTS Programme (Science + Technology + Arts), an initiative of the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
2020 | DesignFarmBerlin scholarship with the project New Blue
2019 | DAAD Abschluss Förderung (Graduation funding) with the project New Blue
Awards:
2021 Jan. - New Blue - Nominated in the top 10 for the Green Concept Award of Green Product Award 2021
2020 Nov. - New Blue - Awarded for the German federal ecodesign Award in the category of young talent 2020.
2020 Sept. - The Mattress Bag - First prize with the design competition MESH UP organised by Wilmersdorfer Arcaden (Shopping centre), Berlin
Publications:
2021/March | E-publication -NOROO Seoul/Milan Design Studio - cover all vol. 05 Overture - Trend forecast CMF & Application: creative Application - Profile of New Blue with interactive video. ISSN 2765-4397
2021/March | Magazine - form magazine #291 - Sicherheit, STUDI TO WATCH - Profile: Textile designer Tim van der Loo makes from thrown away jeans a Neo jeans fabric. ISBN 978-3-943962-52-9
2021/March | Video - DW (Deutsche Welle), Eco Africa - Doing Your Bit: The circular economy of old jeans - Video report about New Blue
2021/March | Magazine - Creative City Berlin - Tote Hosen not dead yet - Interview (digital) about the joint venture together with Sandra Nielsen and New Blue
2021/April | Trend book - Heimtextil - Trend Book 21/22: Nothing New, Everything New - Visual contribution with New Blue and Digital Patchwork.
2020/December | Publication - Department of Culture and Communication of the Netherlands Embassy in Germany - Recipes for the Future - Project: Written and visual contribution. Publisher: Onomatopee, NL, ISBN: 978-94-93148-41-3
2020 | Newspaper artical - 30.05.20 Tagesspiegel - Nie wieder Kleidung wegwerfen: Tim van der Loo macht aus alten Jeans neue - Project: Article in the newspaper, interview about the project New Blue
2020 | 01.04.20 Forscher Magazine/Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung - Bioplastik selber machen in Forscher Magazine #1 2020 - Project: Educational article with instructions making DIY bioplastic.
2019 | hands.on.matter - Notes from a series of material workshops - Project: Process and visuals of the project New Blue
2016 | Graduation catalogue - In need of… , Design Academy Eindhoven - Project: Project description about graduation project Fragmented Luster
Exhibitions, lectures and workshops:
2021/Nov. | Lecture - Kunsthochschule Kassel (Produkt Design) - Berlin, Germany
2021/Juli | Exhibition & Talk - New Blue - Gr_und gallery - All Good(s) program of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Berlin - All Good(s) - Berlin, Germany
2021/Juli | Exhibition - New Blue - Martin Gropius Bau - All Good(s) program of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Berlin, exhibition for the visit of HRH king Willem Alexander and HRM queen Maxima - Berlin, Germany
2021/Febr. | Lecture – New Blue - Wear It Berlin - Wear It Live: Sustainability in Tech - The Future of Fashion, Textiles, and Electronics with Wearable Tech - Berlin, Germany
2020/Oct. | Exhibition (Digital) - New Blue with DesignFarm Berlin at Dutch Design Week 2020 - Realities: How can it be different? - Eindhoven, The Netherlands
2020/Oct. | Exhibition (Digital) - New Blue and Square Loom Weaving with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Germany, Berlin at Dutch Design Week 2020 - All Good(s) - Eindhoven, The Netherlands
2020/Sept. | Exhibition - New Blue – feldfünf e.V. - Projekträume im Metropolenhaus Berlin/Internationales Design Zentrum Berlin e. V. (IDZ) Bundespreis Ecodesign Austellung zur Jurysitzung / Exhibition for the jury meeting 2020 - Berlin, Germany
2020/May | Lecture - The Paper Waste Workshop and New Blue - Local International IV social design + crafts. Exchange program for fashion design students from Dhaka and Berlin - Berlin, Germany
2019/Nov. | Exhibition - New Blue - MEK (Museum für Europaïscher Kulturen) Fast Fashion: Die Schattenseiten der Mode | kunsthochschule berlin weißensee - Berlin, Germany
2019/Nov. | Workshop - The Paper Waste Workshop - HFBK (Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg) Hamburg, Germany
2019/Feb. | Exhibition - New Blue - hands.on.matter - Re/Upcycling Textile - Berlin, Germany
2018/Nov. | Workshop - The Paper Waste Workshop - Palast der Projekte/Lars Zimmermann, Fichtelgebirge grundschule, Berlin, Germany
2018/Jun. | Workshop/Exhibition - The Paper Waste Workshop - Open Source days Euref Campus, Berlin, Germany
2018/May | Exhibition - The Paper Waste Workshop - l’Atelier, Berlin, Germany
2016/Oct. | Exhibition - Fragmented Luster - Dutch Design Week - Graduation Show Design Academy Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands