Maarten Baas, born in 1978, is a Dutch designer. He graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2002. His final exhibition, entitled ‘Smoke’, saw him nominated for the Design Academy’s “René Smeets-award” as well as for the “Melkweg-award”. Since 2005 he has collaborated with Bas den Herder, who is responsible for the production of his designs. His studio is based in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. Baas is considered one of the most influential artist designers of the early twenty-first century. He occupies a unique position in the field as his works embody conceptual art, craftsmanship, installation, public space and performance. His rebellious, intellectual, theatrical and artistic style sets him apart in both the design and artistic fields. Baas’ working style is characterised by taking risks – he continually pursues new possibilities, seeking to transcend boundaries and limitations. Baas wants most of all for his designs to tell stories. He begins each project with a picture in his mind before searching for techniques and materials to help him realise his dream. Baas’ works Smoke, Clay, and Real Time gave him instant worldwide recognition, and in 2009 he was named ‘Designer of the Year’ at Design Basel/Miami, the youngest designer to be awarded the accolade. In 2012, the New York Times listed both Smoke and Clay in its ‘Top 25 Design Classics of the Future’ and in 2016, Baas won the Artprize for his Real Time Sweeper’s Clock. In 2016 Baas was commissioned to produce a clock for Schipol airport in the Netherlands. The clock hangs in the international terminal and is the last thing visitors see before leaving the country. His work is found in numerous private and major museum collections, such as MOMA New York, Victoria & Albert Museum London, Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris, San Francisco MOMA and Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. He has also worked for exclusive brands such as Louis Vuitton, Swarovski, Dior, Dom Ruinart, and Berluti. In 2017, his first major museum show was opened at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, coinciding with the publication of his debut monograph, both entitled Hide & Seek.