A passionate advocate for the transformative potential of design, Ilse Meulendijks brings a strategic, systems-level mindset to complex environments. With an expertise in navigating the intricacies of organisations, she approaches challenges with a holistic perspective—seeking long-term impact and value beyond the obvious metrics.
Her work lives at the intersection of design, culture, and education, where she initiates and guides processes that prioritise participation, equity, and meaningful change. Ilse thrives in collaborative settings, building strong, cross-functional partnerships that fuel innovation and amplify diverse voices throughout the design journey.
Whether leading initiatives, crafting compelling narratives, advising organisations, or moderating conversations, she consistently drive outcomes that reflect both creativity and rigour.
Her work lives at the intersection of design, culture, and education, where she initiates and guides processes that prioritise participation, equity, and meaningful change. Ilse thrives in collaborative settings, building strong, cross-functional partnerships that fuel innovation and amplify diverse voices throughout the design journey.
Whether leading initiatives, crafting compelling narratives, advising organisations, or moderating conversations, she consistently drive outcomes that reflect both creativity and rigour.
Studio Juxta
Designer, moderator of conversation and advisor &
Head of MA programme Design Academy Eindhoven
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Picture by Boudewijn Bollman
Ilse Meulendijks
_Designer, moderator of conversation and advisor &
Head of MA programme Design Academy Eindhoven
Picture by Boudewijn Bollman
Ilse Meulendijks founded Studio Juxta in 2017. At Design Academy Eindhoven, she is Head of the Master Program and part of the Management Team since 2020. Following a bachelor in design, in 2024 she finished her Executive MBA at TIAS School for Business and Society. With her studio, Ilse performs research, initiates design projects and develops commissioned work both independently and in collaborations with other disciplines such as writers, social scientists and fellow designers. Based in the Netherlands, Studio Juxta’s design practice shows just what the name implies: a balanced juxtapositioning of seemingly contrasting elements.
“Contrast doesn’t mean conflict; it’s my playground, it’s where I find awareness. So I combine a firm yet flexible research foundation with a more intuitive and tactile approach. My analytical way of working never loses sight of the subtle elements of perception and association. And I translate a solid knowledge of materials, techniques and organisational dynamics into results that feel instinctive and emphatic”.
Studio Juxta’s interests and expertise aren’t confined to a specific area of design. Previous projects include; research into social and financial structures of craftsmen in Athens; Book for Sale which offers a new approach to bookmaking for artists and creatives; and the ways in which graphic design can not only create a brand identity for commercial purposes, but rather reflect the persons behind it.
Please don’t hesitate to say hi by sending me an e-mail.
I study:
2022 / 2024TIAS School for Business and Society
2012 / 2017Design Academy Eindhoven
2010 / 2012Koning Willem 1 College
2022 / 2024
TIAS School for Business and Society
– Executive MBA
2012 / 2017
Design Academy Eindhoven
– Man and Leisure
2010 / 2012
Koning Willem 1 College
– Fashion and Design
And I learned a lot:
2019
2018
Orange Grove | Start-up professionalisation programme Athens
2017
Residency
2016
Internship
2011
Internship
2019
Driving Dutch Design | Professionalisation programme for creative entrepreneurs The Netherlands
2018
Orange Grove | Start-up professionalisation programme Athens
2017
Residency
Kostas Kostopoulos | Printing House. Athens
Evangelia Biza | Bookbinding. Athens
2016
Internship
– Ersi Krouska | Architecture & Design. Athens
2011
Internship
Jan Taminiau | Fashion Designer. Amsterdam
I was published:
2020
2018Printed Illustrations by Studio Juxta for Taxidia Magazine
2018
2017Interview Greece-Is on expats
2020
Interview Eindhovens Dagblad
2018
Printed Illustrations by Studio Juxta for Taxidia Magazine
2018
Illustrations for Kathimerini
2017
Interview Greece-Is on expats
And I exhibited:
2019DDW19
2019DDW19
2019Wallspace presents: Takes Stock
2018#viewmaster
2017Booklaunch and exhibition
2017Graduation Show
2019
DDW19
Driving Dutch Design, klokgebouw Eindhoven
2019
DDW19
The Small Print, NulZes Eindhoven
2019
Wallspace presents: Takes Stock
Deadlines in Progress, Wallstreet Eindhoven
2018
#viewmaster
Groupshow Short Movie Festival Psarakokalo, Athens Greece
2017
Booklaunch and exhibition
‘Dappere Mensen by Inez van Vuren’, United C Eindhoven
2017
Graduation Show
Design Academy Eindhoven
Studio Juxta
Ilse Meulendijks
info@studiojuxta.com
0031610534888