Academic Achievements
Jonas Willems's contributions have significantly enhanced University of San Carlos's standing in the World University Rankings. Their achievements span across multiple domains of excellence, demonstrating the university's commitment to fostering outstanding talent.
Award Recognition
University Impact
Areas of Excellence
Jonas Willems is design professional with diverse expertise across multiple disciplines.
Professional Background
Form and function.
Sit and chat. Dine and fall in love. Talk. Share drinks with friends. Feast. Picnic. Read. Rest. Work. Think and dream. Rejoice.
When there’s a spark…
A match made in heaven. Really. VONK Furniture is a dream come true for Jonas Willems and Nathalie Van Lier. Willems has always been a true admirer of fine arts and a devoted ‘performing artist’ (drummer turned sculptor-designer) who at one point in his life decided to pursue his dream to become a full time interior and exterior designer. After founding JOS+ he set out on a quest to design durable & contemporary outdoor furniture. It took five years in the making, but in 2012 Willems launched VONK – the outsider, a sturdy yet subtly designed picnic table, fit for every season. Nathalie Van Lier – Mrs. Jonas Willems – decided to join VONK Furniture in 2014, adding her organising skills, knowhow and a dash of creative vigour. In 2015 VONK Furniture will launch both a line of exterior and interior furniture.
….there is VONK
Prospection. Trial. Error. Design and redesign. Ideas, passion and idealism… If you add up all this you get VONK, a new trademark that wants to reinvent outdoor furniture. When asked why, Willems has a very clear answer: “I am a passionate off trail cyclist. I often explore desolate areas. While cycling through industrial zones I often found old and worn picnic tables, shabby and wobbly. Ready to end up in a stove. A pity, really, and an undervaluation of the product. I gave it some thought, and decided to reinvent this classic piece of furniture and focus on design and durability. A good design has three elements. A strong form (idea), the right material for the right purpose (technically), and an emotional appeal (look and feel). A well made product should survive for generations so it can be passed on. “
Willems did not launch VONK – the outsider overnight. After years of experimenting and fine tuning Willems designed his first table. “Galvanized steel and the hard wood afrormosia became the foundation of the VONK.FURNITURE collection.”
Instigated by that thought VONK took on a quest to develop a table that would unify timeless class, durability and design and would become an everlasting icon in your garden, for years to come.
When there’s a spark…
A match made in heaven. Really. VONK Furniture is a dream come true for Jonas Willems and Nathalie Van Lier. Willems has always been a true admirer of fine arts and a devoted ‘performing artist’ (drummer turned sculptor-designer) who at one point in his life decided to pursue his dream to become a full time interior and exterior designer. After founding JOS+ he set out on a quest to design durable & contemporary outdoor furniture. It took five years in the making, but in 2012 Willems launched VONK – the outsider, a sturdy yet subtly designed picnic table, fit for every season. Nathalie Van Lier – Mrs. Jonas Willems – decided to join VONK Furniture in 2014, adding her organising skills, knowhow and a dash of creative vigour. In 2015 VONK Furniture will launch both a line of exterior and interior furniture.