What is the Humble Crow?
The Humble Crow is more than just a name
— it’s a reflection of my creative journey.
It’s where my passion for apparel design, graphic design, photography, and music come together.
A space to explore, experiment, and bring ideas to life. Every project here carries a piece of my story, my influences, and my love for creating.
Tjirk Deurloo; Sr Design Manager, Apparel Designer, Graphic Designer, Musician)
Les Crayon Digital (Instagram – AI Generated imagery)
Q&A
Where are you from?
I was born in Tholen, a tiny town in the Netherlands. I moved for high school (Bergen op Zoom), then university (Rotterdam), and later settled in Haarlem for five years before moving to Canada in 2016.
What sparked your interest in design?
As a kid, I loved two things: cycling and drawing. My mom and aunt always encouraged me to be creative, and I spent endless hours with Lego, building functional cars and helicopters.
A high school art teacher —one of the kindest people I’ve known— cheered me on in my drawing classes and inspired me to pursue the arts. That’s when I realized that creativity, aesthetics, and functionality were my strengths. I loved making things, whether it was photography, music, or design.
I studied at Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts, initially in Advertising before switching to Graphic Design, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Along the way, I met incredible musicians. I played in multiple bands, designed band artworks and curated our stage outfits.
What inspires you today?
I love creating products and brands; I love deep diving into the brands’ history and heritage and telling their story through authentic designs. The best brands don’t just create excitement; they innovate while staying true to their roots.
The many designers and brands I admire strike that perfect balance between reinvention and authenticity. Brands like Apple, Nike, Burberry, Volvo, BMW, and Disney have evolved over time without losing the essence of who they were.
My biggest design heroes —Sir Jonathan Ive, Dieter Rams, and Thomas Ingenlath— transformed brands into icons synonymous with beautiful design and great taste. They were and are tastemakers. Innovators, that keep pushing the development in every creative field forward; from fashion to digital services to trends in thinking and philosophy.
What has been the most unexpected turn in your creative journey?
The biggest turn was moving from graphic to apparel design in 2007. I knew I was transitioning between two different industries and had to relearn how to see design —fashion design in particular. Over time, I realized that design is always shaped by its context and the time in which it appears. That’s what gives it the power to challenge norms and inspire change.
The shift I’m still working on is learning to create freely again —without boundaries. Since my professional work requires creativity within constraints, letting go of those constraints in my personal work can be incredibly challenging. It feels like I have to relearn an old, unused skill.
What advice would you give to young creatives?
Stay endlessly curious. Ask questions, push boundaries, and embrace new tools like AI—but always remain the editor, the curator, the one who brings intentionality to your work.
Don’t take feedback personally. In corporate or client-driven work, you won’t always get your way, and people will judge your work. But that doesn’t mean they judge your taste level or question your expertise that you have in your field. Find ways to bring personality into your projects, but do not view your work as a reflection of your value as a person.
Any thoughts on the next 3-5 years?
I know I thrive when I have clear goals and deadlines. I love mentoring young creatives, helping them find their voice, and being part of a team that sets a clear, inspiring product and brand direction. I also know learned that I have limited control over my exact future direction . So while I set intentions, I stay open—looking for opportunities, following my instincts, and taking action when the time feels right.