Studio Otherness
STUDIO OTHERNESS
Pronouns: He/They
Otherness is a creative and design studio for brand leaders who understand they’re not like everyone else. Start with what’s true, embrace your own beautiful entanglements, and you’ll unlock the kind of power and potential that nobody else can match. Led by Joel Derksen, Otherness works with caring and passionate B2B and B2C leaders and founders, offering a trusting relationship and world-class work for partners who are driven by urgency and their own unique passions. The studio’s systematic "no stones unturned" approach to problem-solving, along with an appreciation for the unique perspectives that complex situations bring forward, sets it apart. Otherness listens (closely), researches (deeply), communicates (clearly), and executes (really, really reliably) to deliver scalable and adaptable systems in which every detail matters.
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Joel set out as a self-taught designer and freelancer in midwestern Canada before studying formally in Halifax and Toronto. He began his career working with top agencies and clients across the country, including boutique design firm Oxygen and partners such as Toronto Botanical Garden, VQA (Wine Growers Association Canada), and Acura. His strategic and resourceful approach brought him to the attention of the legendary design firm IDEO, where he worked in the London and German offices helping clients such as Carlsberg and Salomon redefine themselves for fast-moving markets. Joel founded Otherness in Rotterdam in 2022 to offer his experience of practice and execution to start-ups, scale-ups, and established brands that aren’t like everyone else.