1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

A basement on the Upper West Side served as a storage and shipping facility,

and many of the clients were in New York City. So, in those early days, Jan van

der Lande delivered most orders personally, and by bike. This was the base of

operations for Kikkerland from 1992 until 1995.

After studying agriculture and environmental studies, Jan changed course com-

pletely and started working at the design store Gallery 91 in Soho (1989 - 1991).

He learned a lot about the design business there and met a number of designers.

Jan also had friends from Holland who were active in the design world. Dick

Dankers and Cok de Rooy from the Frozen Fountain and Rob Dashorst from

Daskas introduced him to many other designers and products from Holland.

In fact, Jan has represented independent self-producing designers since 1987.

During his research and scouting trips to Holland, Jan met many designers who

had recently finished art school. People like Hella Jongerius, Richard Hutten and

others. It led Kikkerland to start importing their designs to the USA.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1994 Bottle Opener designed by Gert Jan Vogel

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Jan helped produce these lamps designed by Martha Davis and Lisa Krohn in

New York during his years at Gallery 91.

A great recycling project avant la lettre!

These lamps turned out to be a precursor to Kikkerland. Besides their design

sensibility, these lamps foreshadowed things that define Kikkerland today:

originality, humor, affordability, and environmental concern.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

First trade show booth at the Javits Center in New York.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

V vase, designed by Rob Dashorst, was one of the early successes for Kikkerland.

Jan and Rob went to the same kindergarten in Holland, so they had known each

other for a long time! Originally Rob wanted Kikkerland to produce these vases in

the United States to save on shipping, but it turned out to be a bit more compli-

cated than expected. So, they were ended up being imported from Holland.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Bowl B/V by Vincent de Rijk.

Combination of porcelain inside and translucent resin outside. This product is in

the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. The exact formula for making

the bowls was lost in a tragic fire at de Rijk’s studio and the bowls can no longer

be produced.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Wander Stool, designed by Ruud Jan Kokke.

This product is also in the permanent design collection of the

Museum of Modern Art.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

“De Jonge Reus” (Young Giant), designed by Hella Jongerius.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Richard Hutten’s No Sign of Design furniture and Table upon Table Barstool,

plus the DK clock from Designum, designed by Paul Schudel.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

First printed catalog

This catalog was loosely

divided into 2 sections:

arts and design. Although

there was some overlap

between the categories,

the arts section featured

then popular rustic glass

and ironware from Europe.

The design section was

more similar to what

Kikkerland is today.

Prior to this catalog (with black/white

interior), the promotional material was

photocopied, and handed out in combi-

nation with color photos.

Firefly, designed by Chris Koens,

first appeared in the 1996 catalog.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

First original product

The critter designed by Chico Bicalho. Shown here is the first 1997 version pro-

duced by Kikkerland with pink key and white booties. Originally Chico produced

and sold the critters himself with windup mechanisms he purchased on Canal

Street in New York’s Chinatown. The product was so successful that the mecha-

nisms became impossible to find -- Chico had used them all! That’s when Jan set

out on his search to find a factory that could make them again. It was not easy

and he almost gave up, but at the last minute he found the company in Hong

Kong. To this day Mr. Cheung is still instrumental in bringing the designs from

Chico to life. It is hard to imagine today the huge gamble this project constituted

for Kikkerland at the time, buying a whole container full of windup toys! Not only

did it turn out to be a success, it actually changed the course of the company.

First color catalogs

The critter made its appearance in the first color catalog in 1997. Kikkerland was

starting to become a real company! There would be one more Xeroxed catalog

after this one, but from then on, the catalogs were printed in full color. Kikker-

land relies on these semi-annual catalogs, as well as trade shows, web sites,

and packaging for promotion.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Harlem Office

The building in Harlem was the Kikkerland home from 1994 until 2009. Shown

here in 2007, with David Kucharsky at his desk. Photo by Jaeyulee (aka Jay Lee).

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Mxyplyzyk

In the late 1980s and early 90s, many

designers produced and distributed their

designs in small quantities to design stores

and museum stores. One of those stores,

Mxyplyzyk, in the West Village of Manhattan,

was a client of Kikkerland and became an

important source of information. Owner

Kevin Brynan introduced Jan to a number

of the designers whose products he sold in

his store. Later on he joined Jan on several

scouting trips to Asia and even now reports

trends from the retail perspective to Kikkerland.

In 1996 he introduced Jan to Chico Bicalho,

who, in turn, introduced him to former class-

mates at the Rhode Island School of Design

(RISD) David Dear and Jozeph Forakis. These

seemingly small events turned out to have a

big influence on the direction and success of

Kikkerland.

RISD students fltr

Jozeph Forakis, Maria

Dombrowski, David

Dear, Victoria Kann,

and Chico Bicalho.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Critter family anno 2001

Clockwise Sparklz, Critter,

Spinney, Katita and Cosmojetz

Duck Mirror, designed by David Dear. Produced by

Kikkerland in 1998 and still in the collection! Originally

it was going to be a chicken mirror, and it took awhile to

get the feet correct in production. David used to produce

these mirrors himself, selling them to Mxyplyzyk and

other stores.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Rainbowmaker

Designed by David Dear in

1999 and still going strong.

Additional variations were

added to the line: Heart, Double

and Chime Rainbowmakers.

You have to see it in action

to really get it, which initially

created a lot of problems for

packaging and at trade shows.

Luckily word of mouth and the

offer from Kikkerland to buy

the product back if it did not

sell helped to overcome those

obstacles. The Rainbowmaker

was produced by Mr. Chen,

who was just starting out at

the time. Now he is the big-

gest producer of clocks in the

world!

The Rainbowmaker and the

Flip Clock are early examples

of Kikkerland making prod-

ucts that required substantial

investments in tooling and

production.

Flip Clock

Designed by Michael Daniel. Another connection made through Kevin from

Mxyplyzyk. Michael used to produce these robot clocks by hand with existing flip

clock mechanisms. The factory that made those mechanisms burned down in the

1970s and so they were no longer produced. The whole mechanism needed to be

retooled for Kikkerland production.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Early packaging

When Kikkerland started to produce its own products, it also needed its own

packaging. Much of this creative packaging design was done by Pieter Woudt.

Early on, there was more of an individual look to packaging. For instance, each

member of the Critter family had its own logo reflecting special looks and

abilities. But when the amount of packaging mushroomed, it soon became clear

that it was no longer possible to always create individual looks and logos. Still,

packaging is an important part of every product. Because Kikkerland does not

advertise directly to end-consumers, the packaging is the most effective way for

a product to get attention.

New York, USA, 212-267-2250

a Kikkerland Product

Keep out of reach of minors

Design by Chico Bicalho

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Invisible Cards

Designed by Pieter Woudt. After a very long production process that started in

2000, involving a switch of production facilities and a complete redesign, the

cards ended up in store in 2003. They were an instant hit. SFMoMA sold out

200 decks in the first day! And with the help of big box stores like Bed, Bath &

Beyond, the Invisible Cards became the first Kikkerland item to sell one million

units in a year!

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Bookends

Designed by Chris Collicott and produced by Kikkerland in 2005. Another self-

producing designer introduced to Kikkerland by Kevin from Mxyplyzyk! Chris

has literally had a hand on many of Kikkerland’s products. His own designs, like

the ever-popular Solar Queens, are in our collection; he also sculpts products on

assignment.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Logo

The first logo for Kikkerland was a triangle. It was

reference to the popular V-Vase by Rob Dashorst.

For his stationery and business cards design in

1994, Jan hired Pieter Woudt, who just started his

own design company 212-BIG-BOLT after having

worked as a senior designer for MTV for 5 years.

Pieter has been designing for Kikkerland ever

since. First there were the Xeroxed catalogs, later

printed ones, then packaging, product design,

and websites.

The triangle stayed but it was inserted into an

eye. For the 1996 catalogue, the triangle was

used as an icon for the design section. In 1999

this changed into a pyramid and became the icon

that was used in various forms from 1998 until

2008 when it was retired.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

KIKKERLAND

$ 212-678-2250

212-678-6296

Kikkerland Design Inc.

423-427 West 127th Street

3rd Floor

New York, NY 10027

Jan van der Lande

The logo type for Kikkerland is derived from a font designed by the

Dutch architect Hendrik Berlage around 1900. Pieter Woudt designed a

version of it as early as 1994 for a clock face and it was further refined

in 1999 and it has been in use ever since. The tab with rounded

corners was first used in 2002 in the first streamlining of the packaging

design.

After a rebranding by Lev Zeitlin in 2008, the tab was to be used only

as a red tab with white letters. Previously, red had been used as the

dominant color for most packaging. The type on the logo changed

direction going down instead of up and the tab was made wider. The

tab shape was also revised back to its original shape.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Kikkerland

Catalogs

Catalogs come out twice a year and are designed by Pieter Woudt. The format

has changed several times. It is currently a standard letter size, but getting thicker

and thicker.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

TOP

HIT

S 1992

1997

2002

2007

1993

1998

2003

2008

V Vase by Rob Dashorst

Critter by Chico Bicalho

Zecar by Chico Bicalho

Chiminea by David Weeks

BV Bowl by Vincent de Rijk

Duck Mirror by David Dear

Invisible Cards by Pieter Woudt

Push Light by Jozeph Forakis

1994

1999

2004

2009

1995

2000

2005

2010

1996

2001

2006

2011

Bottle Opener by Gert Jan Vogel

Rainbow Maker by David Dear

Tape Timer by Jozeph Forakis

Solar Queen by Chris Collicott

Table Barstool by Richad Hutten

Flip Clock by Michael Daniel

Bookends by Chris Collicott

Ultraflat Clock by Thomas Buchheim

Firefly by Chris Koens

UBO light by Uriben-Or

Magnito by Josh Owen

Pea by Chico Bicalho

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

There was even a product

named after her: Shaka

The Dog Key Finder. If

you whistle, it will bark to

let you know where your

keys are. Unfortunately

this product is no longer

available.

Shaka

Shaka came with the

building in Harlem.

She was an abandoned

watchdog, a German

Shepherd mix, and Jan

and Kazumi adopted

her. She would come

to the office most days

and always behaving

perfectly. She passed

away in 2011 and will be

missed by all of us.

Shaka with the Mustache Photo Paddle designed by Steven Haulenbeek.

Website

In 2001 Kikkerland launched its first website. It started out pretty basic with

some minor movement and showing only select products. The complete col-

lection was added later along with several other design updates. And in 2008,

we went live with an online shop. The current website is designed by Krate and

can be updated day-to-day by the main computer inventory system. A huge

improvement. Kikkerland also has a blog and Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Check them out for the latest updates.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Tradeshow booths

Since 1999 the trade show booths have been designed and produced by

Thomas Buchheim. The lightweight tubular system first used in 2005 created a

unique look and was easy to transport and set up. Kikkerland attends more than

85 trade shows a year in different countries all over the world.

Since 2003 Thomas has been accompanying Jan on scouting trips for new

products at trade shows in Asia and Europe. In addition to selecting and styling

many Kikkerland products, he also designs products. Below is his Ultraflat Wall

Clock from 2010.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Cesar Mascarenhas, Chico Bicalho,

Jan van der Lande, April 2004.

Reforestation Project in Brazil

The Mil Folhas Project began in 1996 to reforest a public area of 200,000 m2

(50 acres) in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The area, originally covered by the

native Atlantic Forest of altitude, was completely devastated in the mid 1970’s

for highway work.

Since its year of inception 2002, all royalties from ZéCar plus a generous Matching

Fund from Kikkerland, go entirely to the Mil Folhas Project. So far, ZéCar has helped

to plant more than 180 thousand trees of 150 different species native of the Atlantic

Forest. The project will continue for the next several years, until all 300 thousand

trees are planted, at which point new reforestation projects can begin.

For more information and photos, please visit www.projetomilfolhas.com

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Designed by Chico Bicalho and

styled by Gaga Casari, Zecar came

into this world for a very important

mission, besides entertaining us.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Photos taken in 2000,

2008, and 2012 show

reforestation progress at

the eastern side of Inter-

state BR-040.

Chico in 2011 next to a

Jequitiba tree that Jan

and Kazumi planted in

2003.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Build03

In 2009 designer Josh Owen approached

Kikkerland about sponsoring a project for the

School of Design at Philadelphia University,

where he was a design professor. Kikkerland

agreed. Students in their sophomore year

would work with Kikkerland on a start-to-

finish design challenge where one student’s

work would be mass-produced.

Each student was to take an object from the

past, bring it up to date, and have it “tell a

story”. The results of the project were shown

at the International Contemporary Furniture

Fair (ICFF) in New York in 2010.

Build03 book

Student and professor, Brenden Feucht and Josh Owen. Jigger Cube designed by Josh Owen

for Kikkerland in 2007, winner of

the International Design Award and

Chicago Good Design Award.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Gas Can Money Bank

Brenden Feucht’s Gas Can Money Bank for Kikkerland Design was the 1st

place winner of the BUILD 03 Kikkerland Design Challenge in association with

The Philadelphia University Industrial Design Department.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Graffiti Cocktail Shaker

Originally only one product was going to

be produced as part of Build03. Going into

it, Kikkerland had no idea what to expect

and only committed in advance to the one.

As it turned out, there were a lot of good

ideas and the next season the runner up

Graffiti Cocktail Shaker, designed by

William Kellogg, was produced as well.

Kikkerland’s Jay Lee, David Kucharsky, and Laura Kellner with Professor Josh Owen, Assistant Professor,

Jason Lampieri and the students.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Mexican Design Challenge

In late 2010 Kikkerland organized the Mexi-

can Design Challenge, in collaboration with

Ariel Rojo, Gava Design, and Universidad

Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

The objective of the design challenge was

to create products that combine Kikkerland

character together with a Mexican cultural

reference. The contest was open to Indus-

trial Design Students attending UNAM

where Ariel Rojo is a professor. And it

engaged the students in aspects of design,

engineering, manufacturing, marketing

sales and distribution.

The colorful booth at the ICFF designed

by Jan Habraken.

Mexican Design Challenge book

Luchador Bottle Openers

designed by Rojo and Andrés

Lhima. Each Luchador Bottle

Opener is a mini-wrestler

applying a lock hold to an

opponent -- in this case a beer

bottle.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Day of the Dead Corkscrew designed by Rojo

and Stephanie Suárez. Every year the lives of

loved ones who have passed are celebrated with

offerings, food and drink at the Day of the Dead

holiday. Sugar skulls are part of this tradition and

serve as the inspiration for this design.

Kikkerland representatives chose

five finalists and put their proto-

types on display at the 2011 ICFF.

Visitors were invited to vote for

their favorite finalist via in-booth

ballots or on Kikkerland’s Facebook

page. Over 1,000 votes later the

winner was the Luchador

Bottle Openers. There was such

overwhelming response to this

project and so many viable ideas

for products that Kikkerland de-

cided to produce 3 additional prod-

ucts for their Spring 2012 catalog!

Fossil erasers designed by Rojo

and Gilberto Gonzales. The Fossil

Erasers were inspired by the idea

of erosion and how it affects our

current landscape while revealing

traces of the past.

Gator Grater designed by Rojo

and Sarahi Delgado.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

ICFF Shows

Since 2007 Kikkerland has been participating in the ICFF at the Javits Center in

New York. The booths are designed by Jan Habraken. The Can booth at the ICFF

show in 2009 was made from real Campbell soup cans. When the show was over

the cans were donated to charity.

Jan Habraken’s design studio FormNation is on the same floor as Kikkerland at

666 Broadway. Besides the ICFF booths, he also designs products. The Poodle

USB Hub is one of his many recent designs for Kikkerland.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Kikkerland Inhouse Design Team

The team of staff designers started in 2005 and has grown to 4 people. They

crank out a huge number of products and packaging each and every season.

Kikkerland has been consistently adding about 150 different items to its collection

every 6 months, which amounts to about one product per day! The team currently

consists of David Kucharsky, Jay Lee, Zach Weiss and Cristina Gómez.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

NoHo office

In 2010 Kikkerland moved into their new office on 666 Broadway.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Global

Kikkerland sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide. Kikkerland

opened up its European Headquarters in Rotterdam in 2006 and a Hong Kong

office 2010.

Kikkerland Europe office and crew at the Beurs-

plein in Rotterdam.

Lots of enthusiasm at

a trade show booth in

South Korea.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

2012 and beyond

Here are some more of the 180 new Kikkerland products from the Spring 2012

Catalog. We are curious ourselves what we will come up with in the future, but we

are confident it will be fun, innovative, surprising, etcetera, etcetera... Stay tuned!

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Sal N Pepi Shakers by Sebastian ErrazurizPixel Heart Morph Mug by Kikkerland Design

Open Up Bottle Opener by J.P. MeulendijksAnimal Butt Magnets by Stephanie Mantis

Owl Contact Lens Case by Jan HabrakenCassette Lenticular iPhone Case by Kikkerland Design

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Lonely City USB Hub by David Weeks

Bolt USB Hub by Jan Habraken Paper SLR Pinhole Camera by Kikkerland Design

Diamonds Reusable Ice Cubes by Jan Habraken

Flat Light by Kikkerland Design

Robo Buddy Ear Buds & Cord Wrap by Chris Ng

Lucky Beggar Wallet by George Skelcher

Acknowledgements

Designers: Inna Alesina, Pascal Bauer, Chico Bicalho, Matthew Bird, Constantin

Boym, Thomas Buchheim, Chris Collicott, Rita Cortes, Michael Daniel, Rob

Dashorst, David Dear, Sarahi Delgado, Martijn Deurloo, Sebastian Errazuríz,

Design Glut, Ding3000, Doly Design, Brenden Feucht, Hans Fichtner, Jozeph

Forakis, Jess Giffin / Jim Termeer, Gilberto Gonzalez, Jan Habraken, Steven

Haulenbeek, Mike He, Kazuki Hokuto, Dolf Hulsebosch, Richard Hutten, I3 Lab,

Anouk Jansen, Eric Janssen, Hella Jongerius, David Jost, Victoria Kann, William

Kellogg, Chris Koens, Ruud Jan Kokke, Tessa van der Kooy, Jan Willem Leen-

houts, Annie Legroulx, Ran Lerner, Gabrielle Lewin, Adam Lewin, Paul Loebach,

Joe Manic, Steph Mantis, J.P. Meulendijks, Aleksandr Mukomelov, Chris Ng,

Colin O’Dowd, Josh Owen, Benno Premsela, Eric Pol, Pollen Design, Rob Price,

Reno, Rich Brilliant Willing, Vincent de Rijk, Garth Roberts (Group Inc), Judy

Roberts, Ariel Rojo, Jane Sanders, Andrew Saville, Petz Scholtus, Paul Schudel,

George Skelcher, Chris Specce, Stephanie Suárez, Bruce Tharp (Materious),

Uriben-Or, Ed van Veldhoven, Yvon Visser, Gert Jan Vogel, David Weeks, Paul

Weynheymer, Walter Windisch, Pieter Woudt, Lev Zeitlin, Elizabeth Zhe

Photographers: Ken Ferdman, Laura Kellner, Lisa Klappe. Nick Kuskin, Jay Lee,

Ulalume Zavala, Zach Weiss

Brochure design by Pieter Woudt

Thanks to all the people who buy our products and everybody who helped make

Kikkerland a success in the past 20 years. Sales people, reps, distributors, ship-

pers, manufacturers, store owners, administrators, accountants, printers, lawyers

and everybody we forgot to mention. You know who you are.

Thanks and looking forward to the future.