ABOUT US
Design Research Duo
RENS is a design research studio specialised in the applied investigation of colours and materials. Based in Eindhoven
(the Netherlands), we offer customised designs and valuable insights through a multitude of practices and services.
RENS was founded in 2008 by Renee Mennen and Stefanie van Keijsteren. We pair a precise, almost mathematical approach to design research with hands-on material experiments and a keen eye for colour. Across disciplines and in a variety of mediums, we work on collaborative, commissioned or
self-initiated projects.
SERVICES
RENS is dedicated to thorough and context-specific design research. At the heart of our work lies an open-minded process of methodical observations and in-depth inquiries into colours and materials.
RENS' in-depth design research is at the cradle of innovation. Our projects and collaborations with brands and labels arise from the desire to obtain new insights, unearth new possibilities and change perspectives.
We focus on research and analysis, rather than the finished product or outcome. Driven by curiosity, the design process is paramount and questions are the key.
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RENS are creative directors that breathe life into artistic visions. We deliver captivating concepts with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics, and nurture projects imbued with a distinct visual identity.
We are happy to put our expertise to work to help you move forward. We refine corporate identities, devise strategic concepts, and visualize new ideas to grow engagement and improve impact.
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RENS' exclusive collection mirrors our passion for colours and materials. Over more than a decade, we've created contemporary design originating from research, commissioned by companies and brands – and for our own studio collection.
We are proud to present a colourful range of signature designs: our Selected Works and Exclusives. Featuring ceramics, furniture, rugs and small arts that add a touch of style to any interior.
RENS translates ideas into tangible experiences through spatial design.
We transform spaces into captivating and functional environments. With spatial solutions that make the invisible visible, tell stories and evoke emotions.
We create one-off experiences for unique places, such as museums, and special occasions like trade shows and corporate presentations. Collaborations that have led to the materialization of mourning, sexy ceramics, and dynamic discoloration.
More: Spatial Design >
CLIENTS
Projects and Partnerships
RENS collaborates closely with clients and partners to get to the heart of the matter (and the colour). Previous projects and partnerships with museums, companies, brands, and labels from all over the world include:
Samsung, Spectrum, Wolfgordon, Kruisherenhotel, Piet Hein Eek, Auping, Cor Unum Ceramics,
Desso, Tarkett, Moooi Carpets, Lacq, Lighting Laboratory KU Leuven, Philips Innovation Services, Canon NL, Pode, Baars & Bloemhoff, Design Museum Ghent and Zuiderzeemuseum
HISTORY
Working in the realm of dyeing is like doing the delicate work of an alchemist: liquid dyes, powdered pigments, water and salts, bring them together and they yield an endless palette of shades of red: from dark to light, varying in intensity and saturation. Ultimately, the material and its original colour determine the outcome.
In the beginnning , there was red
RENS has been and continues to be enamored by the allure of colour. In the early 2000s, the designers embarked on a series of experiments, daringly applying exclusively red pigments to a diverse array of materials: textiles, wood, metals, plastics.
These open-ended projects propelled them not only from Eindhoven to the cosmopolitan hubs of London, Copenhagen, and Milan but, more importantly, towards a host of promising plans and groundbreaking ideas.
Their infatuation with the colour red, with its strong symbolism and distinctive characteristics (especially when compared to other hues), became so consuming that they actually founded their business upon it.
In the fifteen years that followed their first red adventures, Renee Mennen and Stefanie van Keijsteren established themselves as explorers of colour and materials, collaborating with both renowned and emerging names in the design and interior industries.
The following projects are part of the ever-expanding story of red;
Rood, Mourning Materialized, Changing Perception Object, Changing Perception Online, Re-vive rugs, Re-vive carpet tiles, Reddish.
DESIGNERS
Just the two of us
RENS are us: Renee Mennen and Stefanie van Keijsteren. Creative partners for life, best friends forever. On a more serious note: we’ve been working together for over 15 years now – and we still can’t get enough. Yet we’re also two very different individuals. Nice to meet you!
CONTACT
Let's talk!
RENS loves to see fresh faces, meet new people,
and embrace novel challenges. Although the magic lies in personal interaction, our packed schedules
can sometimes get in the way of spontaneity.
So, let's plan a rendezvous: drop us a line via email, a quick message through an app, or simply give us a call.
Studio RENS
Halvemaanstraat 24
5651 BP Eindhoven
The Netherlands
+31 (0)40 4009006