I like the title the guardian of the idea more than the founder, but I am both. I discovered the power of ‘Things’ in design thinking and problem-solving in 2006 by sheer luck.

I am a designer, facilitator, and creative instigator who believes that play is the most powerful tool for learning and innovation. My journey started in education, where I saw firsthand how everyday objects could spark curiosity, creativity, and deeper learning for children. With a Master’s degree in Product and Spatial Design from Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland, I focused my research on designing learning environments with children — making their ideas central to the creative process.

Over the years, my Think with Things method has grown far beyond classrooms. I’ve had the privilege of leading workshops across Europe for organizations like the European Commission and BOZAR in Brussels, helping over 2,500 people tap into their creativity, collaborate better, and solve challenges using simple, everyday objects.

To make this approach even more accessible, I created THINGS LAB — a space where educators, businesses, and families can explore playful, hands-on ways to spark new ideas. Whether you’re planning a team workshop, transforming your classroom, or finding ways to bring more creativity into your home, THINGS LAB is designed to help you think differently and discover unexpected solutions.

My upcoming book, Build Your Own THINGS LAB, is a hands-on guide for educators who want to bring object-based learning into their environments. It started as a 10-page handout and has grown into 178 pages of tools, stories, and ideas to ignite creativity in schools and beyond.

After 24 years in Brussels, I’m now based in Wiltshire, England, where I’m reopening Turtlewings — my original design studio — with a renewed focus on creating spaces that inspire wonder and well-being. I believe that when we play, we see the world differently. And when we see the world differently, anything becomes possible.

“HAVE THINGS WILL TRAVEL” — Jules