Lex Pott & David Derksen — Exploring Time Through Oxidation & Design

Lex Pott

Lex Pott (1985) is a Dutch designer known for his pure, intuitive, and material-focused approach to design. He was born in Hilversum and graduated cum laude from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2009. After graduating, he founded his own studio in Amsterdam and later in Rotterdam, where he continues to work today.

In his work, Pott consistently returns to the essence of materials such as wood, stone, and metal. Rather than concealing materials, he emphasises their natural properties and origins. His designs are often minimalistic and experimental, intentionally incorporating processes such as oxidation or natural ageing as part of the design itself.

Lex Pott has collaborated with various international brands such as Transnatural, HAY, &Tradition, Artemide, and IKEA. Well-known designs include the Transience mirrors for Transnatural, the True Colour vases for &Tradition, and the Twist Candles. His work is exhibited in galleries as well as produced on an industrial scale, blurring the boundary between art and industrial design.

He has received several awards, including being named No. 1 Design Talent in the Netherlands (Volkskrant, 2015) and receiving the Young Talent Pin (2014). In addition, he is active as a guest lecturer and advisor within the design world.

David Derksen

David Derksen (1983) is a Dutch designer working at the intersection of material research, technology, and industrial design. He graduated in 2009 from the Design Academy Eindhoven and obtained a Master’s degree in Industrial Design in 2011 from TU Delft. During his studies, he founded his own studio in Rotterdam, where he has since worked on a wide range of projects, including lighting, furniture, and interior objects.

Derksen is known for his experimental and research-driven approach to design. His work is strongly inspired by the natural sciences and the properties of materials. Rather than concealing materials, he explores their behaviour, transformation, and fabrication processes. This results in designs where mathematical patterns, physical principles, and craft techniques come together.

He collaborates with various brands and studios, including Transnatural, Arco, New Works, and the Chinese ceramics company WL Ceramics. He also developed his own lighting collection under the name [ARRAY] Lighting, through which he further explores innovative lighting design. In 2015, he was nominated for the Young Designer Award at the Dutch Design Awards.

Transience Mirror / Bespoke

Transience Mirror / Detail

Transience Mirror / Passage

Transience Mirrors

Over time dark spots start to appear on mirrors. The silver layer is slowly oxidizing under the influence of oxygen and water, thereby showing some of its history. This process can be regarded as degradation, however this project shows the beauty of this material transition of silver. The Transience Mirrors, designed by Lex Pott and David Derksen for Transnatural, reveal different states of oxidation through an accelerated process. All mirrors are handmade and the oxidation patterns look slightly different on each piece. This roughness in oxidation and the clean geometrical aesthetics make each design mirror truly unique and beautiful.