(following text is from 1999)
xSITE is an ever-evolving platform of visual communication. At xSITE the individual is universal. Inspired by the cross-cultural make-up of its members, xSITE teams up creative problem-solvers from a variety of disciplines to cater to your particular needs.At a time when technology is rendering the world closer, xSITE serves as a model of international collaboration where ideas are exchanged to produce attainable visions.
Recognizing the strength in an integrated model, our goal is to combine all services associated with the field of design, advertising, marketing and communications. Through a worldwide network, xSITE is dedicated to a collaborative, collective creative process, finding new standards, how we want to visualize our high-tech communication environment.
The places where we meet and communicate are basically in our studio in New York City and our studio in Amsterdam and in cyberspace. The innovations in the field of communication, the internet, has shortened the distance between us and files are send back and forth to complete or intensify the projects.
The basic idea is that each member brings in his or her individual approach, qualities and style and want to share this with others to enhance ideas.
The aims are to improve and expand the idea of a greater understanding between people everywhere, and to contribute towards a better solution of social, cultural, economical and environmental problems, as the basic force behind the organization. xSITE is an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural design organization. The idea of a loose working environment of creative forces around the globe became interesting as people moved ideally closer together, and communication with each other became an easy access of today’s life. Advances in computer technology created the idea to develop an international creativity resource with professionals around the world, targeting a global clientele. xSITE is connecting a network of professionals around the world, with respect to each other and curiosity for the unexpected. Very individual operating, although in appropriate times united to a specialized team to solve an actual problem. The individuals are in sites on different locations and join to work formations to achieve a fresh, innovative and socially responsible solution. Our task is to provide the right answer to visual communication problems of every kind in every sector of the society.
Ingeborg Bloem
Born in The Netherlands, at 18 she found herself too young to start a study of 5 years and moved around to broaden her outlook. For the next two years she worked and studied English and French in London, Paris, and Greece.
From1984-1989 she studied Graphic Design at De Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
After her studies she moved to Amsterdam and worked for almost two years at UNA, were she worked for corporate clients, publishers and cultural events.
Not ready to settle down she moved to New York where she worked at Doublespace, one of the most hip studios at that time. There she met her long-time business partner: Klaus. The two had a magical click from the beginning and rapidly plans came up to start a business together on a global base.
When Ingeborg Bloem decided to go back to Amsterdam (boyfriend...) she started to work at Visser Bay Anders Toscani where she stayed 3 years creating worldwide recognized work like Breda Fotografica.
In the meantime internet developed, making it easy to work across the ocean with Klaus on freelance assignments. The plans they had made earlier, started to take off and Ingeborg decided to leave her job to work as an independent designer.
The two started to work together at different projects and ideas were sent back and forth. International clients like Swatch and Oilily joined them together in New York, Amsterdam and Milan.
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Klaus Kempenaars
Hailing from The Netherlands, Klaus Kempenaars has a colorful experience from different countries.
After his studies at the Kunstgewerbeschule Graz, Austria, he started working at Atelier Neubacher, at the time one of the most creative studios in the country. Around a lively group of artistic people he published a monthly cultural magazine, organized cultural event and perfected the skill of schmoozing and slumming. Ready for the world he moved to London in 1985, where he took a position as junior designer at the design company Minale Tattersfield.
Searching for further challenges he decided to move back to his country of origin, where he started in 1986 as senior designer at Tel Design in The Hague. During this period he flourished and worked mainly on long-term projects in corporate identity for government institutions and international corporations.
Still restless, he moved in summer 1989 to New York to experience the American Way. In New York he was able to start at Doublespace, a graphic design studio with a funky touch. Here he developed a different side of his talent, away from corporate identity towards fashion, cultural and entertainment projects. After six years of committed work, he is now one of the founders of xSITE, an on-line international design collaborative.
From 1997 till 1998 he was asked to head the Swatch lab in Milan as design director for the Fall/Winter Collection 1998/99. Successfully he prepared Swatch for the next millennium with experimental form and materials.
Returning to New York in February 1998 he continued to expand the idea of xSITE.
In the years he won several prestigious awards like the Art Directors Club, The Type Directors Club, The 100 Club - The American Center of Design or the I.D. Magazine Gold Medal to name a few. Work of Klaus Kempenaars has been shown in design exhibitions around the world. Stefan Hengst, graduated in 1991 with an Honors Degree from the College of Fine Arts & Design St. Joost in the Netherlands. Upon graduation, he entered a full time position at design studio UNA in Amsterdam. Here he was involved in prize-winning projects. Not completely satisfied with the way of working, he started his own studio in 1993. He soon had a wide range of clients from various publishing houses, The Dutch National Child Care and different Dutch galleries. Projects ranged from identities, books and catalogues, to annual reports and journals.
Although his business was thriving, he had the strong desire to expand his borders. He decided to move to New York in 1996, where he started to work for two years as a senior designer/art director for World Studio.
Within time he was ready for his own business. He started to join xSITE as a collaborator in 1998. Now he works closely together with Ingeborg Bloem and Klaus Kempenaars on different projects in Europe and the United States.
Stefan Hengst won several awards (such as The Dutch Art Directors Club) and his work has been displayed in The Museum of Modern Arts (Stedelijk Museum) in Amsterdam.
Bispublishers: www.bispublishers.com/brands/ingeborg-bloem-klaus-kempenaars/ (link: 14.11.2020)
Bispublishers: 'Branded Protest'
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