Supporting technology-driven companies in developing new products, propositions and product directions
at the intersection of user needs, technology and business value.
Oosterwelder Innovation & Design
Welcome.
Informal introduction to the site (3-4 sentences)
Oosterwelder provides senior industrial design and innovation support for companies developing physical products, product systems and new product propositions.
Depending on the challenge, the work can focus on exploration, concept development, industrial design, portfolio direction or visual communication: always with the aim to turn product questions into clear, tangible next steps.
Way of working
Oosterwelder works in a structured yet flexible way. Every project starts by understanding the context, clarifying the question and defining what needs to be explored, made visible, decided or developed.
The approach combines analytical thinking, visual exploration and practical design experience. It helps teams structure complexity, align perspectives and turn abstract ideas into clear product direction.
Vision
Oosterwelder works in a structured yet flexible way. Every project starts by understanding the context, clarifying the question and defining what needs to be explored, made visible, decided or developed.
The approach combines analytical thinking, visual exploration and practical design experience. It helps teams structure complexity, align perspectives and turn abstract ideas into clear product direction.
Frequently
asked
questions
What does Oosterwelder Innovation & Design do?
Oosterwelder Innovation & Design helps companies develop, sharpen and realise new products and product propositions. The focus is on industrial design, design strategy, concept development, visualisation and innovation consultancy.
I connect user value, business value and technical reality, so ideas become not only attractive, but also relevant, distinctive and feasible.
What types of companies does Oosterwelder Innovation & Design work with?
Oosterwelder Innovation & Design works with technology companies, start-ups, scale-ups, medtech companies, industrial manufacturers, consumer product companies, packaging companies and organisations facing product development or innovation challenges.
Most collaborations start with companies that want to develop a new product, improve an existing product or add senior design expertise to an ongoing project.
When should I involve Oosterwelder Innovation & Design?
You can involve Oosterwelder Innovation & Design when you want to make a product idea, innovation challenge or development process more concrete, better substantiated or more compelling.
This can be at the very start of a project, for example when exploring opportunities, target groups and product directions. It can also be later in the process, when there is a need for concept development, visualisation, user-centred design, design direction, detailing or support towards realisation.
What role do you play within a product development process?
My role depends on the phase of the project and the specific need. I can act as a strategic sparring partner, concept developer, industrial designer, visualiser, facilitator or temporary senior design capacity within an existing team.
I bring structure to early ideas, translate insights into concrete product scenarios and make choices visible through sketches, models, visualisations and design proposals. In doing so, I always take the user, market, technology and manufacturability into account.
Do you work strategically, hands-on, or both?
I work both strategically and hands-on. The combination of thinking and making is an essential part of my approach.
I can support positioning, product strategy, portfolio thinking and innovation choices, and translate these into tangible concepts, sketches, visualisations, product directions and design details. This ensures that advice does not remain abstract, but becomes useful within the actual development process.
How does a collaboration with Oosterwelder Innovation & Design work?
A collaboration usually starts with an introduction and an exploration of the question. This is followed by a clear briefing, defining the objective, context, scope, planning and desired output.
Depending on the assignment, I then work on analysis, concept development, visualisation, design development or guidance throughout the product development process. Regular alignment is part of the collaboration, so decisions can be discussed in time and the project remains focused.
A collaboration can be structured as a project, on an hourly basis or as temporary support within an existing team.
How can I get to know Oosterwelder Innovation & Design in an accessible way?
A collaboration usually starts with a non-binding introduction to get to know each other and explore the initial question. I see this first step as an investment by OID and take responsibility for the time and preparation involved.
Often, I combine the introduction with a compact scoping workshop, in which we look closely at the question, context, need and possible next steps. During such a session, you directly experience how I work, communicate and collaborate, for example by structuring ideas together, sketching or visualising digitally.
If there is mutual interest, we can plan a follow-up meeting and I will prepare a suitable proposal.
Can you temporarily join an existing design or development team?
Yes. Oosterwelder Innovation & Design can temporarily join existing design, innovation or product development teams.
This is relevant during peak workload, complex product development projects, when senior design experience is needed or when an external perspective helps the team make sharper decisions more quickly. I am used to working with engineers, marketers, product managers, entrepreneurs, researchers and other designers.
What distinguishes you from a regular design agency?
Oosterwelder Innovation & Design combines almost thirty years of experience in industrial design with a broad strategic view on innovation and product development.
I do not work from one fixed agency format, but align with what an organisation actually needs: from sharp analysis and strategic advice to hands-on concept development and visualisation. This makes me flexible, quick to integrate and focused on creating concrete value for the project.
The strength lies in the combination of seniority, design skills, technical affinity, visual thinking and experience with a wide range of product categories and development teams.
How do you handle confidentiality, NDAs and intellectual property?
Confidentiality is a natural part of every collaboration. Ideas, product information, drawings, strategies and other business-sensitive information are handled with care.
If desired, an NDA can be signed before any substantive information is shared. Agreements about intellectual property, usage rights and the transfer of design results are preferably defined in advance in the quotation or collaboration agreement, so both parties know what will be delivered and how the results may be used.
What does a collaboration with Oosterwelder Innovation & Design cost?
The costs depend on the nature, scope, duration and context of the assignment. That is why I do not provide a standard hourly rate before I understand the question, desired output and my role within the project.
For clearly defined projects, I preferably work with a fixed price quotation, using an internal hourly rate as a calculation basis. For workshops, sparring sessions or intensive consultancy on demand, different rates apply, aligned with the preparation, responsibility and value of the contribution.
After a short exploration, you receive a clear proposal with scope, approach, deliverables and investment.
"Beyond his professional capabilities, Marnix is simply a great person to work with reliable, constructive, and consistently focused on moving the team forward."