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Red logo Tristan Van Garsse
I’m a **junior brand designer**|with 5 years of experience|across brand and product.

VAN DENDER — Divine Tradition, Rebranded

Rebranding, Brand Identity, Digital Strategy
Van Dender is a heritage chocolatier reimagined for a new generation. We replaced the outdated logo with a custom wordmark, refined the color palette to deep cocoa and muted burgundy, and redrew the coat of arms for digital and print. The identity blends tradition with modern clarity: minimal, elegant, and built for both shelf and screen.
Case study coming soon.
Exploratory sketches for Van Dender's brand identity.
The custom-designed wordmark.

MINO. — A culinary time capsule where Armenian and French heritage collide

Brand Identity, Product Design
Mino is a culinary bridge between Armenia’s smoky hearths and French’ refined tables. They are a brand new high-end dining experience. As such, we designed their brand identity from scratch. The logo combines a script font with clean typography, reflecting the balance of rustic and refined. The visuals draw from Armenian stone carvings and warm, smoky green textures.
Case study coming soon.
The Armenian guardian dog meets his equal, French cuisine.
The custom wordmark.

VERBEEK — A visual identity for modern craftsmanship

Brand Identity, Logo Design
For Verbeek Interieur, a carpenter based near Leuven, I developed a visual identity that reflects their dedication to craftsmanship, precision, and modern aesthetics. The result is a timeless design that balances strength and elegance. The visual identity was expanded through a full set of logo variations, a color palette rooted in white and a rich blue, and a detailed brand guide to ensure consistency across print and digital media.
Visit the case study
Exploratory sketches for Verbeek's brand identity.
The custom wordmark.

KU LEUVEN — Designing interactive tools to map Flanders’ cultural heritage landscape

UX/UI Design, Data Visualization
As Lead UX/UI Designer for KU Leuven, I created interactive data visualizations to analyze cultural heritage organizations, clustering them by discipline and mapping their connections. The project included a printed research dossier with custom typography and graphs, now used by the Flemish government to inform policy and funding decisions.
View project details
Charts included in the printed research dossier.
The custom wordmark.

BRUXELLES MA BELLE — Visual identity for a community-driven podcast

Branding, Digital Design, Typography
As the lead designer, I created a vibrant visual identity for Bruxelles ma belle, a podcast celebrating stories of hope in Brussels. Inspired by the city’s energy, I developed two distinct concepts—one featuring a heart-shaped Brussels map and another with playful typography integrating subtle cross motifs.
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about me

I'm a junior brand designer with five years of experience in branding, UX and graphic design.
With an MFA in Media and Information Design I am up to date with modern industry standards and state‑of‑the‑art forms of communication.
My passion for impeccable design and creative problem‑solving gives me a unique perspective on contemporary issues.
KU Leuven
Graphic Designer
2023 - 2025  Leuven
I collaborated with the Department of Cultural Studies to design comprehensive research dossiers on artistic heritage. I developed additional web-based data visualizations, leveraging front-end languages to deliver a clear and engaging UI/UX. Commissioned by the Flemish government, I contributed to shaping major policy decisions.
Freelance
Brand Designer
2020 - 2025  Brussels
I created visual content for over 20 clients, crafting logos, brochures, and websites that enhanced brand recognition and engagement. I delivered strategic brand advice and digital solutions, driving a 25% increase in customer engagement for one client through optimized digital marketing.
VanMoof
Product Designer
2022  Amsterdam
During my 6-month internship, I worked on improving e-bike designs through prototyping and 3D modeling. I helped test components like motors and batteries, and contributed to making the frames more comfortable to use. Assisted in creating 3 working prototypes that were used in the development of new bike models.
Based in ❦ Brussels, I've worked on a variety of design projects, including as a freelance designer and collaborator with clients across multiple disciplines.
My background includes creating impactful visual and digital content, advising on strategic branding, and delivering user‑centric design solutions.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the city and spending time immersed in creative pursuits.

capabilities & skillset

I collaborate with clients to develop a clear vision for their brand and projects.
By aligning goals early on, I lay the foundation for powerful, strategically grounded designs that resonate with the audience.
Team Player
No solo acts.
Analytical creative
No decorative fluff. Every design must solve a problem. Period.
Goal-oriented
I start with 'why' and ensure every detail contributes to the end goal.
Innovative and original
I dig deep for broad societal impact.
Big-picture
No tunnel vision. Does our approach fit the strategy, the market, and the future?
Sustainable
Beautiful isn’t enough. It must also be responsible. Think: materials, longevity, and impact.
Design
Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects
3D & Prototyping
Figma, Protopie, Cinema4D, Unreal Engine, Spline, Rive
Expertise
UI/UX Design, Branding & Identity, 3D Design, Motion Graphics
Coding
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python
Native:
Dutch & French
Fluent:
English

articles & essays

Think different:
Design as systems rather than outputs
Read Article
Datastories:
Using conversations and data to rethink beliefs about road safety.
Read Article
Flags of tomorrow:
Reflecting on my master's thesis about flags as visual narratives.
Read Article

artifacts from the archives

A data visualization I created to explore Swiss design principles and grid structures.
A poster design for a fictional gallery exhibition, drawing inspiration from Ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
A custom book cover I designed for Black Holes by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw.
A mailer meant to catch the eye of a discerning audience. Designed with a sense of refinement.
One of my favourite drawings, inspired by a scene from a foreign movie.
An album cover I put together, trying to match the mood of the music with some creative flair.