SOLAR INITIATIVE — ABOUT US

Solar Graphic is one of Solar Initiative’s divisions. Solar Graphic offers a full service in the field of visual communication through research, strategic advice and design. Solar Graphic is set out as an inspiring environment where conceptual thinking, research, visual power yield new ideas. Where talent and experience contribute to design innovations and where development never stops. Solar Graphic integrates several creative disciplines and is dedicated to unique solutions in graphic design, interactive design, motion design, environmental design and photography.

Solar Initiative is known for its continuous pursuance of autonomous quality and a sharp analytical capacity in the area of visual communication. Solar Initiative combines an active interest in client and product with conceptual and commercial insight. Solar Graphic combines creativity with good business practice. We balance the advantages of a large design studio — continuity and service — with the qualities, involvement and passion of the individual designer — unique solutions. Working closely together with clients and with respect for the products we represent, we dedicate ourselves to a distinguishing visual language in character and communication which translates into a practical and usable product.

Solar Initiative consists of two divisions; design and photography. The graphic division handles graphic design, covering print, identity development and publications, as well as interactive design, motion graphics and environmental design. The photography division delivers photography consultancy on ‘visual identities’ and image bank development, as well as photography productions. The Solar Photography Agency represents a group of 14 photographers.

Colour by Ambrose and Harris, Ava Publishing sa, 2005; This Gun is for Hire, Die Gestalten Verlag, 2005; International Yearbook Communication Design, Avedition 2004–05;Colour by Ambrose and Harris, Ava Publishing sa, 2005; This Gun is for Hire, Die Gestalten Verlag, 2005; International Yearbook Communication Design, Avedition 2004–05; Dutch Design Awards, 2003; Apples and Oranges, Best Dutch Graphic Design, Bis, 2001; and newspaper articles in De Volkskrant, NRC Handelsblad and Trouw.

Prix Olympia in 2009 at the IOC Congress in Copenhagen
Red Dot Award 2009 Category Art and Culture
3 Red Dot Awards in 2008 Category Corporate Communication
3 Red Dot Awards in 2006 Category Corporate Communication
Red Dot Award 2005 Category Corporate Communication
Red Dot Award 2005 Category Art and Culture

Solar Initiative was founded in 1999 by Jeannette Zuurbier, Marieke Müskens van Bemmel and Miguel Gori, and was set out to meet the market’s need for true integration of strategic advice, design and photography. All three partners have extensive experience within the creative field as well as in the field of marketing and communication, on both national and international level. Since 1999, Solar Initiative has grown to a team of 16 people and represents 15 photographers. Within Solar Initiative the partners hold strategic and creative responsibility for projects in the fields of design and photography. Next to the team of experienced in-house specialists, Solar Initiative uses a solid network of professionals in copywriting, dtp and environmental design.
Click on directors names below for their biographies.

Directors
Jeannette Zuurbier, Miguel Gori

Team
Romée Beernink, Esther Bleesing, Aryati Blonk, Maarten Borst,
Rob Giesendorf, Annemiek van Grondel, Helga Lobosco de Jonge,
Annelike Kaagman, Charissa de Koning, Stefan Laberer,
Loranne Roozendaal, Adrie Smits

Photographers
Blommers/Schumm, Sema Bekirovic, Sabrina Bongiovanni,
Kim Boske, Elspeth Diederix, Marnix Goossens, Yvonne Lacet,
Krista van der Niet, Hans van der Meer, Gerco de Ruijter,
Jaap Scheeren, Ingmar Swalue, Qiu Yang.

Like us, our clients have many questions: they are in search of a new image for their company or product, fresh ideas for advertising campaigns, ways to adopt current or future trends, or original creative solutions for special projects. Often, they want the advice of a creative consultant. Future files, a service to our clients, are a creative process of concept development, aimed to research and develop strategic visual design proposals in the field of marketing and communication.
Future Files assignments result in a visual dossier that can be best described as a conceptual book. Apart from our findings and specific ideas, solutions and advice in comprehensible writing, our future-file use mainly images to make its content thoroughly visual. The images range from photographs to illustrations to sketches. The future-file is aimed inspire clients in dealing with their own innovation process, and helps to make clear decisions.

Ahold∗
AkzoNobel
Architectenweb
Arup
de Bijenkorf
Blauwhoed
Berit Inc.
Biennial Foundation
BNO
CBK Deventer
CBK Dordrecht
Cobber Finance
Delta Lloyd
Delta Lloyd Groep∗
Delta Lloyd Groep Foundation
Eatme
Gemeente Haarlem
Kraaijvanger•Urbis Architecten
KPN
L’Empresse
L’Officiel NL
LIAG Architecten en Bouwadviseurs
Mecanoo Architecten
MVSA Meyer en Van Schooten Architecten
ModeDesign
ModoVanGelder
New Amsterdam Development Consultants NYC
newStyle Man
newStyle Woman
Nike Women
No Apology
Orla Kiely Fashion
De Pastoe Fabriek
Poëziefestival Dicht Aan Het IJ
Premsela, Nederlands Instituut voor Design en Mode
Samira Boon
Sanoma: Kèk magazine
SeARCH Architects
[sic] magazine (UvA)
SNS Property Finance
Spark & Co
Stichting Kunstwerk Loods 6
ROOTS & ROUTES
Utrecht Manifest Biennal for Social Design
Stichting Via Milano — New Dutch Design
The Hilt N.V.
THT Consulting
PostNL
Tridion
Vesteda
VIJFadvies
Wellami
∗ in collaboration with Proof Communication

Solar has a limited number of internship opportunities available throughout the year. These are divided in periods of 3 or 6 months.
Students who are interested in an internship at Solar Initiative can send an e-mail with C.V. and a concise portfolio in pdf to Rob Giesendorf at this mail address

Solar is always looking for fresh talent to broaden its horizon. We think attitude is more important than experience. So, whether you are a designer, photographer, illustrator, art director, web designer, copy writer, or you think you can surprise us, we would love to hear from you! Please send your portfolio + CV to Adrie Smits (adrie@solar.nl).