About Joey

Award-winning and globally-acclaimed designer, Joey Ruiter pushes through the boundaries of the norm to transform everyday objects into products that are just as useful as they are jaw-dropping.

His work ranges from furniture to transportation to household objects and more. In addition to his original studio builds, he works with brands everywhere to bring us products that speak for themselves.

His unique perspective, style and approach challenge design principles and lead us to reimagine how we see things and what might be possible after all.

In a culture of clutter, he reminds us what is essential.

“The art of design happens when you change the way things are perceived. It challenges convention, and creates new stories, interactions and the rarity we want.”

About Joey

Award-winning and globally-acclaimed designer, Joey Ruiter pushes through the boundaries of the norm to transform everyday objects into products that are just as useful as they are jaw-dropping.

His work ranges from furniture to transportation to household objects and more. In addition to his original studio builds, he works with brands everywhere to bring us products that speak for themselves.

His unique perspective, style and approach challenge design principles and lead us to reimagine how we see things and what might be possible after all.

In a culture of clutter, he reminds us what is essential.

“The art of design happens when you change the way things are perceived. It challenges convention, and creates new stories, interactions and the rarity we want.”

Studio

J.RUITER
72 Alta Dale NE
Ada, MI 49301

1 (616) 283-1610

Approach

With a minimalistic design approach, Ruiter strips products down to their essence which is where they begin taking shape. He reimagines ordinary things using common themes and creates designs that activate a familiar yet surprising space in us. His disruptive perspective leads to builds that are unconventional, beautiful and anything but ordinary.

Challenge Convention

Featuring Joey Ruiter

Challenge Convention

Featuring Joey Ruiter

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The J.RUITER “dr.shred” custom powder board. Custom built and profiled by @marhar_snowboards / ridiculous blunt brutalist nose, shredder tail, and black on black finishes. Can’t wait to ride it! Thanks @marhar_morse @_andrewmorse

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BEAR CHAIR / The greatest tool a designer and use is restraint. It’s difficult to do less. To do way less. Then questions about value, beauty and worth emerge. It’s a story unfolding in the shop as each new prototype moves toward the purest form. What is the chair? What is instantly recognizable? What asks zero questions?
Extreme dualism invites radical thinking. Blurring the lines between brutal and beautiful creates an interesting form. Aesthetically, common, and underwhelming, but a purity that is beautiful and familiar.
Welded stainless steel with multiple bespoke finish options. Available in limited quantities- info@jruiter.com or DM me. Design by me, photos by @deanvandisphoto

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Hanging with the @bollingermotors team and @robertloftisbollinger today- So much fun to be around awesome visionaries, designers, and true renegades. Thanks for putting the future in front of us-

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I didn’t know anything about the #cybertruck until Thursday night. My phone blows up with questions and comments. It’s pretty epic from @teslamotors and #franzvonholzhausen ...... It’s a visual language I’m familiar with and love. Mine is on order 100%! I photoshopped my version to help ease some tension. DISRUPTIVE forms work when they draw you in rather that push you back. A BLACK finish draws the viewer in to investigate, study, and deepen their insights. Objects this bold must leave room for the imagination to run wild. That’s about it though... A simple shift in color and you’ll see me rolling from the FUTURE in Michigan- Inspiration comes from all sorts of sources. I see many examples of others in my own work. Other designers share thoughts and ideas with me, we collaborate, give and take, have shows together, its nice to have those voices, and be able to hear other opinions. I can definitely see inspiration from @rem_un ‘s Lo-Res car in this along with other epic concepts from the past. The future is here! Just look at my second image in the post, the @ford or equivalent truck is in the rear view mirror waaaay back. If @teslamotors wants, I’m open to work the next round. I have something in the works, DM me.... @iankettle #DIRUPTORS @petersenmuseum @unitednude #delorean #wedgecar #lanciastratos

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Check out the new www.JRUITER.com So thankful for @wearebaas @iammarkbaas for putting this together. Major thanks to all the clients over 15 years for giving me the opportunities explore and create freely. Thanks to the brilliant photographers, builders, engineers, fabricators, designers, and interns, for killing it each time!

Exhibitions

DISRUPTORS Exhibit
Petersen Automotive Museum, 2019
Los Angeles, CA
Electric Revolution
Petersen Automotive Museum, 2018
Los Angeles, CA
Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2014
Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Art Museum, 2013
Grand Rapids, MI

Awards

NeoCon 2019
HiP Award
Allsteel Two-Thirds
NeoCon 2015
Best of Neocon
Steelcase Sylvi Lounge
Neocon 2015
Gold Winner
Steelcase Sylvi Lounge
NeoCon 2015
Gold Winner
Nucraft Kai

NeoCon 2014
Silver Winner
Nucraft Tesano
NeoCon 2012
Best of Neocon
Nucraft Passport
100 Best Bikes
Book Feature, 2012
Velo: Bicycle Culture and Design
Book Feature, 2010