Marjolein Delhaas leaves room for the unexpected

At the ARKET office, we have admired and used Marjolein's planners for several years. Amid phone notes, digital calendars and information noise, they offer a calm and practical space for thinking on paper. 

From her studio in Rotterdam, Netherlands, she says she’s always been a collector of thoughts and memories, and that her own stationery series came about because of what she needed for herself. 

‘I used to have those books for school where I saved cards, notes, sketches. It was like a diary and a notebook combined. I love to experiment with bindings, paper, covers, and typography has always been my thing. I found all the notebooks available dull, conventional and too structured, boring to use, so I decided to create what I was missing. Initially, I made it for myself, things I like – minimalism, bold colours and bold typography. I wanted to create objects that add beauty to your surroundings. I see them as tiny systems that help structure your thoughts without dictating, leaving room for the unexpected.  

These journals encourage a very analogue and hands-on approach to daily tasks. Would you say that’s a reflection of how you live your life, too? 

I think both analogue and digital has their place. But to me, there is something in the art of writing and sketching, in the process of putting your mind to paper, that has always been borderless, while the screen sets boundaries.   

I see the need among young people of today, they crave analogue ways to express themselves. But I think you can use the advantages of both.  

In my work, I always start with a big, blank piece of paper. A screen limits my thoughts and ideas. I tend to start with my own needs and build from there. It’s not about trying to keep the structure, but rather to make the effort to start, again and again, to practice. Experimenting is easier when working analogue – but after sketching and trying different ways, I use my computer to refine the work.  

I love my analogue journals, but at the same time – a paper calendar doesn’t give notifications. 

A full calendar or a completely blank one?  

When it comes to social life, I prefer not to plan. I like surprises. I’m not really an impulsive person, but on a social level, I like spontaneity. If you’re constantly fully booked, the weeks pass by so quickly. At the same time, if I don’t plan my work life, I get nervous. Once I have the plans set, I get a feeling of rest and overview, so work is something I try to plan. 

What does a day at your studio look like?  

Sometimes, I just dive into my work – no plan, just full-on inspired. But those days often go by so quickly, and when the evening comes, it feels like I haven’t done anything, even though I was busy all day, I have learned that if I start by sitting down and carefully plan my day and my work, I create more space, and it also feels more fulfilling. 

I find routines boring, but since I have kids, I need to have some routines in life. I guess it is all about finding that balance. 

What comes to mind if I say ‘back to work’? 

After the vacations, I look forward to some daily structure again. During time off, I sometimes see things that kind of tickle my senses, and I long to get back to my studio to get creative again.  

I am a bit of a chaotic person, but at the same time also super structured. There are no grey areas in between.