Edo Smitshuijzen

Studied graphic design at the IVKNO, now called the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. Started as a freelance designer working for a large Dutch publishing house.

Joined later (1977) a small design partnership that grew out to be at some stage one of the largest design studios in the Netherlands after merging (1987) with an established group of interior architects and industrial designers. Became director of professional development of the new partnership, BRS Premsela Vonk.

Worked as design principal in many major and comprehensive corporate design and/or signage commissions for Dutch governmental bodies and multinational companies,like the Ministries of Justice, Economic Affairs, Transport and Water Management, Home Office, High Courts, Court of Audit, Council of State, Tax and Customs, Central Bank, Royal National Library, National Archive, Open University and the city of The Hague. The partnership, nicknamed in the Netherlands ‘the Ministry of Design’, made a major contribution to shape the Dutch governmental perspective on (graphic) design - which is still surprisingly unparalelled in other countries.

Invented and developed a modular sign panel system (mss 0.5) produced under license in various countries around the world.

Left the design partnership in 1994. Is currently independend designer and design writer. Lars Müller published in 2007 my book: Signage Design Manual.