Portrait Dorien Franken

Strategy driven design solutions.

About

I am a change-driven designer. I build brand strategies and create design solutions for forward-moving companies that drive business as a force for good.

I work across human, health, and sustainability issues and like collaborating with companies that want to create positive cultural, social, or ecological change.

Curious by nature

My approach in design is grounded in the belief that curiosity and knowledge form the spark for meaningful change. In my 20+ years of practicing design and working across the media landscape as creative director, consultant, and publisher, I set out to gain a deep understanding of my clients’ ambitions and challenges which led to unexpected possibilities. By using curiosity as a compass and knowledge as the map, I can build strong(er) brands.

Visual strategist at heart

Strong output falls flat without a strong strategy or concept. I am invested in thinking from the ground up to shape a versatile design system that helps brands make a lasting impact. I collaborate with a community of curated specialists to realize the best creative output the project needs. Depending on the project size, I can work solo, as part of a team, or as a creative leader.

Services

  • Brand proposition
    Brand architecture
    Communication strategy

  • Naming
    Visual identity design
    Motion design
    Design systems and guidelines
    Art direction
    Brand implementation

  • Editorial design
    AI design
    Book design
    Magazine design
    Signing
    Outdoor campaign design
    Social media design

  • Concept and creation
    Campaign production

  • Midjourney/Gen AI
    Animation
    Graphic design

Clients I work for with

Over the years, I have worked with various national and international clients, from local start-ups to big corporations and global foundations that manifest change. I value people before anything. That’s why I invest hugely in building a long-term relationship to build strong brands that last.

The Folks
Magazine

Aside from my work as a designer, I am the founder of The Folks of Amsterdam, an independent digital platform that nourishes in-depth conversations with the most adventurous creatives of Amsterdam.

The Folks of Amsterdam - Team
The Folks of Amsterdam.
Limited edition magazine of The Folks of Amsterdam.
Dorien Franken hosting the first edition of The Folks Talks, an event for creatives of Amsterdam
Portrait of Simo Zbiri for The Folks of Amsterdam