ArtEZ alumni Julia Janssen and Rosalie Apituley in the running for Emerging Talent Award 2026

The fifteen designers were selected by an internationally oriented jury chaired by Borre Akkersdijk, following an open call inviting the design community to nominate talented designers. The jury describes the selected designers as a group distinguished by radical thinking, craftsmanship and the courage to ask critical questions. In their work, Julia Janssen and Rosalie Apituley each explore in their own way how design can engage with social and technological issues.

Julia Janssen studied Graphic Design at ArtEZ Academie voor Art & Design Arnhem from 2012 to 2016. Her projects are strongly socially and politically engaged and are rooted in research and mathematical principles. Driven by a growing interest in our relationship with technology, she developed several projects exploring topics including digital identity, terms and conditions, and internet standards.

For her graduation project, Janssen examined the business models of Big Tech. With Bank of Online Humanity, she demonstrated the value of people’s personal data.

Rosalie Apituley studied Product Design at ArtEZ Academie voor Art & Design Arnhem and graduated cum laude in 2022. For her graduation project, Uit de meterkast, she explored how the energy infrastructure in our immediate surroundings influences our understanding of energy.

Using visualisations and working prototypes, Apituley examined the existing energy system and developed alternative ways of making energy and energy systems visible. In doing so, she highlights the impact that energy has on our surroundings.

The fifteen selected designers together form the Dutch Design Awards Class of 2026. Over the coming months, the group will meet on several occasions to exchange ideas, explore collaborations and discuss new directions. Three winners of the Emerging Talent Award will be announced during the Dutch Design Awards ceremony on 17 October 2026. Each winner will receive €10,000, provided by the Keep an Eye Foundation, to support their professional development.