Frank Tjepkema (born 1970) is a renowned Dutch designer based in Amsterdam, celebrated for his innovative work in interior design, architecture, product design, and jewelry. His distinctive approach blends artistic vision with social commentary, creating designs that resonate with contemporary culture.

Raised in Geneva, Brussels, and New York, Tjepkema settled in the Netherlands, where he graduated cum laude from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 1996 and earned an MA from the Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam in 1998. His groundbreaking graduation project on artificial nature garnered immediate acclaim and was selected for the prestigious Droog Design collection. This early success sparked a series of high-profile collaborations with Droog, including the innovative Do Break (2000), the award-winning British Airways Executive Lounge at Heathrow (2004), and the Chair of Textures, showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2006 in collaboration with Friedman Benda gallery.

In 2001, Tjepkema founded Tjep., his Amsterdam-based design studio. Alongside leading commercial projects, he creates provocative art and exhibition pieces, such as the Recession Chair, Bling Bling, and Oogst, which challenge conventions and reflect societal themes. His work is exhibited in globally influential galleries, including Tajan in Paris and Droog in Amsterdam, as well as major institutions like the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Cooper Hewitt, and the Museum of Art and Design in New York. Tjepkema describes his philosophy: “My work reflects the spirit of our times, often with a touch of irony but always crafted with passion. Through gallery pieces and the Tjep. collection, I explore an artistic approach, while Tjep. studio collaborates with diverse clients to deliver exceptional designs infused with soul.”

A sought-after educator, Tjepkema has lectured at prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Design Academy Eindhoven, Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam (where he served as Head of Department from 2001–2004), Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Iceland Academy of the Arts in Reykjavik, and the Acadia Summer Arts Program in Maine, USA. He has also spoken in Japan, Malaysia, Spain, and Hungary, and has been a featured speaker at major design conferences, including Design Indaba (twice), What Design Can Do, and Singapore Design Challenge 2050.

Tjepkema’s influence extends to design governance, having served on the board of the Premsela Foundation, the examination commission of the Dutch Foundation for Art and Design, and as a juror for the Dutch Design Awards and the Françoise van den Bosch Award. His multifaceted career continues to shape the global design landscape with creativity and purpose.