Why Erik?

Erik Sijmons is the European Senior Design Director for Samsonite Travel. He has designed approximately 36 luggage collections (hard curv-pc-pp-alu, soft and hybrid concepts) since joining the company in 1986.

One of Erik’s most notable achievements is designing the award winning Cosmolite collection. The collection, introduced in 2008, won the Red Dot Design Award “Best of the Best 2010” and is still Samsonite’s best selling product in its category. Erik Sijmons developed an interest in design early in life during his mathematics and science classes in secondary school. He studied Product Design-Development at Artesis University College in Antwerp where he graduated in 1982.

Erik began his career as a freelance designer for Verhaert Design, one of the most prestigious design companies in Belgium. Over the next four years he freelanced for IPA Automotive Design and Development, and Don-Bar Design. These freelance positions put Erik in great stead for what was to come:

Today, Erik and his team are highly regarded for their contributions to luggage innovation in Samsonite, for which many products have been awarded. In 2020, he received the HVDV lifetime achievement Gold Award for having an impact on economy and society worldwide through his design activity. This has made his belief even stronger, that the ultimate solution for luggage experience in this challenging world still has to come, and Erik surely has the vision for it.