Amsterdam, May 29th, 2019

With offices in the Netherlands, Wonderland describes itself as a human experience design studio, with a reputation for doing things differently. The agency makes uniquely brilliant experiences online that are designed to take businesses and firms to the next level.

For over 5 years, Wonderland has been launching, positioning and elevating brands across the globe. The agency works across a range of topics such as travel, technology and fashion and has an international team with best-in-class specialists.

In an interview with TIA, Martijn van der Does, Founder of Wonderland Studio, described the agency’s creative culture, how it is maintained and the featured aspects someone should have to work there, among other topics.

How could you describe the creativity culture at the agency?

We have a talented bunch of developers, designers and animators all with big ideas and a drive to make them come to life. Once we’ve established the customer brief we go through the strategy, set some objectives and then create meaningful concepts. We make beautiful online experiences that are relevant, have impact, create meaning and deliver.

How is that culture cultivated and maintained?

By working with brands and people that inspire us, we are able to keep making cool shit at the heart of what we do. We have an office space that defines us in the Jordaan; a fully stocked kitchen (with a mean toasty machine), comfy sofa and we are in the process of installing our first meeting room for getting our brains together.

We have human size cool club illustrations on the walls, and we have enough plants to keep the oxygen flowing. We work hard during the week and make sure to start the weekend with a beer in our hands.

What are the skills someone should have to be part of your agency?

You should have the ability to turn your passion about web design and development into a serious craft.

Could you describe your hiring process?

We only take applications through our Wonderland website, drop us an email or even give us a call. We list our vacancies and we are also taking open applications. We advise being playful with your application.

Personality is important to us, be yourself and if we vibe with your jokes and creativity it’s likely to be a perfect match. We’ll start with a phone call and if that goes well, you’re invited into our office to meet the team and chat about what you’ve got for us and also important, what we’ve got for you.

How do you motivate team members to achieve more?

We give everyone involved the opportunity to come up with creative concepts for each brief. This allows us to come up with something awesome, the end result is normally a mash up of everyone’s concepts. As everyone is involved there is a team effort to make the concepts come alive.

How important is teamwork at the agency and how do you encourage it?

We don’t do boring and teamwork helps us solve just that! We are united by our shared passion to advance humanized digital experiences. Distinction through talent, knowledge and openness is centerfold. Our diverse backgrounds allow us to solve problems and uncover opportunities in unique ways. We encourage it by having a relaxed working environment and letting the team express themselves with the freedom to create awesome stuff.

What is the communication style within the team? Do you use any apps or tools?

We use Slack as our main communication app. The team channels are #appie (munchie requests), #dailies (whatever you’re day dreaming about), #music (funky beats), #production (serious shit), #team-news (normally filled with geeky dev stuff and beer gifs).

What piece of advice would you give a recent grad looking to work in digital industry?

Be yourself, don’t be shy and keep rolling with your ideas to make them happen. Live for the wow and stay cool.

Thanks Martijn!

Learn more about Wonderland

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Amsterdamcreative agencycultureExperience Designmanaging directorMartijn van der Does