Janicke Kernland founded studio kernland, a design studio for exhibitions and cultural projects, in February 2003. Fifteen years later she was ready to start a new adventure. In March 2018 she joined the management of Helgeland Museum in Mosjøen, Norway. Janicke decided to hand over the reins to Nina, former freelance designer for studio kernland. The studio continues to carry the same name, with a new interpretation;

We design a storytelling setting in order for the core (NL: kern) of a message to land at its receiver.

Nina Mathia Simons graduated in December 2014 at the Design Academy Eindhoven, department Man and Well-Being. One of her graduation projects, “Pollinosis” is a short film through scale models, showing how to deal with allergy to pollen. These handmade models are still a very large part of her practice today; every project is first made in miniature. Her internship took place at the Tokyo-based architect Junya Ishigami + associates, where handmade models are also an important part of the design process.

After her graduation she returned to her city of birth Maastricht. She there started her company as a designer of what she calls storytelling settings. Nina believes design has the power to make complex information inviting and understandable to a large audience. Combining her love for storytelling with her knowledge of space, exhibition design seemed a natural fit. Nina became the new owner of Studio Kernland on June 6th 2018.

“ In times where so many of our experiences are through screens, having a physical, sensorial experience is all the more valuable.”