58 Comments Add your own

• 1. kim  |  September 1st, 2009 at 10:47 am

  What is your dream project?

• 2. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 10:56 am

  Hi Kim! Thank you for breaking the ice!
  Tough question. Probably a self initiated project with enough funding and time to actually make it work and happen…
  And to make a proper logo for the business you work in

• 3. Nigel Malone  |  September 1st, 2009 at 11:15 am

  Hello,
  what is the origin of your business name TOKO, and what is the significance to you?

  Nigel

• 4. rob  |  September 1st, 2009 at 11:20 am

  hi guys – love your work!

  is there anyone that you would love to collaborate with, and why?

• 5. John  |  September 1st, 2009 at 11:36 am

  Two questions:

  1. How long would it normally take for you guys to say, design a logo and a website?

  2. What are the main differences you feel working in the Sydney design industry with those of Holland and Europe? Are people as passionate about design here? Thanks and PS you guys have done some great work.

• 6. marty routledge  |  September 1st, 2009 at 11:49 am

  whats your favourite type based exhibition?

• 7. marty routledge  |  September 1st, 2009 at 11:50 am

  ps… dopest type designers out, also nicest humans on the planet…

• 8. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 11:55 am

  Hi Nigel. The Origin of the name Toko.
  Holland has a very large indonesian population (occupation) and Toko in indonesian means ‘shop’. Toko turned into slang for having your own small independent shop / business. It is a very common ‘word’ used in The Netherlands.

• 9. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 12:09 pm

  HI ROB! THANKS!
  Collaborations are the way to go, the future of creativity.
  So many people we would like to collaborate with but there’s a couple of Japanese designers who top the charts! I guess we also collaborate with our clients in a natural process…

• 10. Digitalpress  |  September 1st, 2009 at 12:32 pm

  We love your work!!!!!!!!!!!

• 11. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 12:32 pm

  Hi John, THANKS!
  1. Top Secret
  Can’t answer that question. To many variables to a project. Every project is treated as an individual and in need of different attention and timing.
  2. There’s no real difference. We work the exact same way we worked in The Netherlands (besides language). We prefer to work with people who understand and value design as we do. That way you work with passionate people. I think design is universal (like music) that’s what makes it such great profession.

• 12. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 12:34 pm

  Ha Marty!
  Let me think… ooohhh it’s you:-)

  gofonturself
  gofonturself
  gofonturself
  gofonturself

• 13. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 1:18 pm

  HI Digitalpress!
  THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

• 14. Bryan McLeod  |  September 1st, 2009 at 1:25 pm

  Do you think having a small operation allows you to produce better work?

• 15. Lee  |  September 1st, 2009 at 2:08 pm

  Do ideas come easy to you?
  Can you think of a project where it has taken for ever to find an appropriate solution?
  Are there any tips and tricks you use to generate ideas when a brief comes into the studio?

• 16. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm

  Hi Bryan,

  Absolutely! We control what goes out (and the client off-course). And we can be more picky, larger corporations need to pay the bills and will take on jobs that will do so interesting or not. We deliberately did not grow into a large business to be in-control of creative output.

• 17. chris  |  September 1st, 2009 at 4:25 pm

  do you think design is necessary and if so why?

• 18. ilja  |  September 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pm

  ok, here’s my shot: which Dutch magazine do you miss down there?

• 19. ilja  |  September 1st, 2009 at 5:15 pm

  ok, here’s my shot: is there any Dutch magazine that you miss down there?

• 20. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 6:47 pm

  Hi Chris,
  I stole this piece written by Julie Martinez and I think see is right… Quote” Executives and managers often see creative design as a necessary evil. It is a finishing touch to be added after strategy has been determined, objectives set and budgets allocated. Instead of being an integral part of the business, the design process becomes a frustrating experience. Managers struggle to know how to handle graphic designers with artistic temperaments and at the end of the day there isn’t often an easy way to determine a design’s ROI. However, I would argue that design is actually an important part of your overall business strategy and should be considered as necessary and important as your financial statements”

• 21. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 6:49 pm

  HEEEEEY ILJAAAAAA
  Nou de REVU zou wel leuk zijn grapje!!!!!
  Sorry a bit of Dutch… maybe the Items to keep in designers touch… see you very soon!!!!!!

• 22. Tina  |  September 1st, 2009 at 6:56 pm

  So, WHAT did you buy on your last purchase, Eva??

• 23. mike  |  September 1st, 2009 at 7:04 pm

  Ha Lee
  Sorry almost mist you there!
  Do ideas come easy to you?
  Sometimes they do sometimes not at all which is obviously very very frustrating. But I guess we always find a solution.
  Can you think of a project where it has taken for ever to find an appropriate solution?
  Well we are working on a rather large project right now that forced us to dig deep but things seam to work now… nok nok nok on wood…
  Are there any tips and tricks you use to generate ideas when a brief comes into the studio?
  Listen to the client and make sure you understand the brief. Inspiration read ideas are often generated in the early stages of a project. A bit like CSI where they need to solve the case in 24 hrs otherwise evidence…bla bla not like that but

• 24. eva  |  September 1st, 2009 at 7:08 pm

  Hi Tina,
  Serious shopping spree really
  Treated myself on a summer wardrobe kinda

• 25. Charlie  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 am

  Hi Eva and Mike, I like those blurry photo shots taken, very arty! Well everything you do seems to look nice too, great design work guys!

• 26. Michael  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 am

  HI Charlie,

  Thank you! Photo Booth rocks!

• 27. Rico  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am

  I read that you are from Rotterdam and also lived in Chicago and now Sydney, which city do you rate the highest? Are you planning to stay permanently in Australia or you moving on to other country later?

  You have some good things going on, keep it up

• 28. Ava  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 am

  Which medium/material do you prefer working on? Any project most proud of to date? Can’t wait to see more from you! //A

• 29. Michael  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 am

  Hi Rico,
  We are definitely planning to stay in Australia we simply like it to much! That sort of answers the question… Rotterdam was the last city we lived and it is an interesting city, pretty tough and edgy not like Amsterdam which is very beautiful and almost über cultivated. Chicago is amazing! If you like music, arts and architecture then the windy city is a must visit.

• 30. Michael  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 am

  Hi Ava,
  The medium would be ‘print’ we love print design. Books, magazines, posters you name it. The tactility of print is hard to beat… Any particular project? Yes and no it really depends on our mood. But to be very honest we prefer to look forward. Current projects are always the ones you like best… well we do…
  ah thank you will do our best!

• 31. mecho team  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm

  WOAH!! Aren’t you guys popular?A record of comments received in first days on board! We are busy catching up reading that we have nothing to ask right now but keep them coming.

  Welcome on board, Michael & Eva

• 32. Ellen  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 pm

  I really enjoy reading the comment about your name Toko! I initially thought it was something Japanese… there is a Jap restaurant called Toko in Darlo.. hahahah… how funny and great name to call your business. Is it just the two of you in the team or how big is Toko?

• 33. Michael  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm

  Hi Ellen,
  I know! You are not the only one! We had some sushi orders coming in…ahah not really.
  Yes it is only the two of us and the occasional intern, right now David de Zwart from The Netherlands.

• 34. Edwin S  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 8:21 pm

  Hello,

  Serious question from Holland from a customer.

  How is it possible that (in any case on the photo) you still look that young as you both left NL?

  You must be still that relaxed. Congratulations with your blog! Keep on going this way.

• 35. Johanna  |  September 3rd, 2009 at 10:11 am

  Hi Michael and Eva,

  Did you find it hard to start up or continue your business in Sydney? I’m travelling here from Europe and loving Australia but am concerned about all paperwork and also finding new clients, getting familiar with local market and so on. Any advice of overcoming my fears and tips can be the motivation I need!!

  Kind regards,
  Johanna

• 36. Michael  |  September 3rd, 2009 at 10:19 am

  Hi Edwin
  ahah that’s why the images are blurry!

• 37. Michael  |  September 3rd, 2009 at 10:25 am

  HI Johanna,
  Well yes it is. It is an absolute investment. It takes months if not years. We more then once asked our selfs what the f..k we are doing here and will it ever work. We are not there at all but it looks we are heading somewhere. But if you really want to achieve something you have goals, ideals…GO FOR IT. Better regret trying then… well you know…

• 38. Luke  |  September 3rd, 2009 at 2:52 pm

  I should be working but instead I’m surfing around and just spent a good time looking at your blog and things you do – good stuff!! Now, any tips of how I should be more productive and not procrastinate? Love what I do, just trouble staying focused… =|

• 39. Michael  |  September 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm

  Hi Luke,
  Make sure you have tight deadlines, that will force you into being focussed and productive… like for many of us a scary deadline does wonders.

• 40. Johanna  |  September 6th, 2009 at 11:49 pm

  Thanks Michael, that is what I needed to hear!

• 41. terri  |  September 7th, 2009 at 10:36 am

  I love your work – thanks for being inspiring for other designers out there!

• 42. Michael  |  September 7th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

  Hi Terri! Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!
  As mentioned before we do what we do with passion and if that inspires other people than that is absolutely fantastic…

• 43. Rob  |  September 8th, 2009 at 9:41 am

  Why are Dutch words and surnames sooooo loooooong – do you end up using a lot of acronymns and nicknames?

• 44. Michael  |  September 8th, 2009 at 9:56 am

  Hi Rob,
  Are they? What about the Greeks?

• 45. Rob  |  September 8th, 2009 at 10:23 am

  Hahaha fair enough!

• 46. Tanya  |  September 8th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

  Hi Michael and Eva, Your work is great! Are you self-taught or did you both study graphic design? I would love to be in such creative job such as you! Do you have to always educate yourselves as graphic designers with new technology and programs?

• 47. Michael  |  September 8th, 2009 at 5:25 pm

  Hi Tanya,
  Thank you! We both studied graphic design for 4 well actually 5 years. Technology changes quickly but the essential programs stay the same (except updates). But yes you need to be on top of things to take full advantage of the profession.

• 48. Tanya  |  September 10th, 2009 at 10:11 am

  Hi Michael, Wow, you studied it for 5 years! Did you work for other people or did you start your own business straight away?

• 49. Michael  |  September 10th, 2009 at 12:09 pm

  Hi Tanya,
  No we definitely worked for other people for a couple of years like Studio Dumbar in The Netherlands. I think it’s more or less essential to do so. You learn the tricks of the trade and are exposed to additional influences which will be less present whenever you start your own business straight away.

• 50. sydneyChick  |  September 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

  Hope you are enjoying the sun today! It is not hard to understand that you like staying in Sydney

• 51. mike  |  September 15th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

  how do you guys manage to stay so creative?

• 52. Michael  |  September 16th, 2009 at 10:00 am

  Hi Mike,
  Well I guess you have to it’s your profession…
  Don’t think I have a proper answer for your question… what I do know is that sometimes it comes ‘easy’ and sometimes it’s just not there….

• 53. dani  |  September 20th, 2009 at 10:40 am

  any fav weekend pastime in sydney?

• 54. Michael  |  September 21st, 2009 at 8:05 am

  Hi Dani,
  No real fav’s there… although relaxing (in any way or form possible) would be very high on the list.

• 55. Tori  |  September 26th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

  Nice work! Do you guys prefer working or specialising in a particular industry of clients?

• 56. Michael  |  September 27th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

  Hi Tori, thank you!
  No not at all, we work for the cultural and corporate industries both offer interesting challenges for a designer. The cultural industry might be more alluring but the corporate industry is sometimes more challenging. At the end it’s about finding the right balance…

• 57. Jess  |  October 11th, 2011 at 5:54 pm

  Hi Eva and Michael!
  Love your work – so much so I have chosen you guys as an inspirational design studio to research for one of my graphic design assignments at uni!

  Just wondering if you could tell me a little about your design team? Do you have any employees?

  Would love to visit your studio one day!

• 58. bjel bakker  |  October 13th, 2011 at 2:37 pm

  I am writing about MIchael Hutchence.
  What is the street address of the Padding terrace house where MIchael owned a place?
  Thank you if you can help.

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