I design social interactions
and connections, through
a symbiosis of creativity and purpose.
Selection of projects.
-
![Diorama movie prop for LavederFilms, ‘De Swarte Krie van de Deelen by Stefanie Bonte, maquette of a forest and a miniature castle in an old vintage cabinet]()
'De Swarte Krie van de Deelen' by LavenderFilms
I got to build a huge movie prop with an extremely detailed Diorama inside. Parts are existing locations in the Netherlands, where the movie was also shot. And other parts are the imagination of little girl Dieke, who is the main character. De Swarte Krie van De Deelen tells her story through her imagination where she sees herself in grandma's Diorama world and where she tries to process Grandma’s death.
-
![]()
'Social Cultural Value Canvas' with University for applied Sciences Groningen
How can we together - governments, financiers, artists, organizers, and participants - gain more insight into the relationship between the artistic and social added value of art and culture initiatives? I researched and developed inspirational measuring instruments that revealed a form of connection, and at the same time created impact among the participants.
-
![Social Interaction installation with social scientist Josefine Geiger for behavioral psychology, Become your better 'Selfie...booth' by Stefanie Bonte with Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, RUG University]()
Become your better 'Selfie...booth' with Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
In collaboration with behavioral psychologists of the University of Groningen, I desgined an experience installation to encourage the complex 'green person'.
This experiential setting, disguised as a photo booth, served as a research object in the public space to survey the audience afterward, but at the same time to leave an impact on the participators.
-
![Numinous, burn-out art project by Stefanie Bonte, Communication tool for patients with burnout, Numinous makes the heartbeat tangible through biofeedback, users experience their heartbeat as vibrations]()
'Numinous' communication tool for treating burn-out
In 2015, in the middle of my burnout, I started a journey during my Masters to discover how I could develop a tool in co-creation with patients and therapists. Numinous was developed as an appealing communication tool to help people suffering from burnout and/or stress symptoms. Numinous makes the heartbeat tangible through biofeedback: users experience their heartbeat as vibrations outside of their bodies using this tool, it consciously only generate experiential feedback instead of numbers and values. After graduating, I won two HKU Awards with this project.
-
![Homo Desperatus, an art project with ants by Performance Designer Dries Verhoeven. Models and maquettes made by miniature builder Stefanie Bonte. Models made of gypsum, representing different kinds of conflict areas in de world.]()
'Homo Desperatus' - Dries Verhoeven, Design Museum Den Bosch
Installation about human suffering in the 21st century. 44 Displays are inhabited by an ant colony, the nuclear reactor in Fukushima, the parliament building in Kiev, a drug clinic in Germany, a collapsed clothing factory in Bangladesh…
The models, scale 1:250, show a very true-to-life image of reality. The positives of the models were poured with silicone, creating a mold, which was then filled with gypsum. In this project, I worked a lot with 3D printers and laser cutters to realize the finer, finishing details.
-
![Exquisite dollhouse replica crafted by Stefanie Bonte honoring the legendary Frances Glessner Lee for 'Scheire en de Schepping'. A tribute to Lee's pioneering work in forensic science and a visual diorama capturing every intricate detail.]()
Replica Dollhouse for tv-show 'Scheire en de Schepping' by Woestijnvis
'Scheire en de Schepping' is a Flemish science quiz show full of clever jokes and interesting fun facts.
For the new season aired by Play4 I was asked to make an exact replica from one of the murderscene dioramas origionally made by Frances Glessner Lee in the 1940s. These are nowadays still used to teach students of forensic science.
It all begins with a fascination that won’t let go. Storytelling through Miniatures is one of my specialties. Wicked Problems and inspirational research drive me.
My name is Stefanie Bonte. As a Scenographer (Theatre Design, HKU ‘12) from the Netherlands, Utrecht, I found my true passion in crafting props, models and dioramas. If you're in search of a captivating maquette for a museum exhibition, a mesmerizing commercial, or an authentic theatre- or movie prop, look no further. My expertise spans across various materials, styles, and scales, breathing life and allure into every project I undertake.
Unraveling the extraordinary potential of miniatures, I harness their power to weave captivating narratives, elevate brands, and ignite visual enchantment. With every tiny detail, I draw the audience closer, with the undeniable 'charm' of the small scale. It's in this intimate connection that a bond with the subject is forged, hopefully leaving a lasting impression.
In ‘15, I immersed myself as a Social Designer in the Master program 'Crossover Creativity.' My mission was to entwine the worlds of design (thinking) and life's fascinating intricacies together, transcending the boundaries of art and theatre and exploring new creative avenues. As my passion for artistic expression collided with the curiosity to bridge diverse industries, I sought to foster unique collaborations that seldom interact with the art sector.
Through innovative crossovers between various sectors and industries, I discovered a treasure trove of exciting collaborative opportunities. In this entanglement of expertise, fresh perspectives and ingenious solutions to complex social challenges emerge organically. By embracing these 'wicked problems’ head-on, my work becomes a conduit for meaningful impact, opening doors to boundless possibilities.
Social Design
Miniature Workshop
So, what do you do?
Being a Social Designer and a Miniature (prop)builder doesn’t mean I always combine the two. Although it has been proven that it can be a strong combination, of course your project might not need or want both of them, and that is ok! Both of my fields have some overlap though. Like an iterative, non-linear process, context analysis, user testing, problem finding and framing, ideation and solution generating, creative thinking, sketching and drawing, prototyping, and evaluating. I would say this describes me as an artist.
-
Designers and artists have traditionally been resourceful makers. Whether it's products, services or entire cities: designers are always looking for new ways to make something. Social Design is the application of design methodologies, like ‘Design Thinking’, in order to tackle complex human issues, placing social issues as the priority.
For example, social designers work on complex issues that cannot be tackled simply and/or with a single solution, such as loneliness, dementia or sustainability. All things for which the social designer comes up with new ideas, tries them out and develops them further.
I graduated as a Social Designer with a Master of Arts in 2016 and won two HKU Awards. -
The medium of Crafting Models, Miniatures, and Dioramas holds the power to transform people's perspectives, allowing them to experience the world through a different lens. In a world that often rushes past the subtleties, miniatures invite us to pause and savor the beauty in the smallest of things.
I envision the possibilities of storytelling and immersion, because miniatures offer a unique vantage point, allowing viewers to step into the shoes of the characters or scenes portrayed.
I relish the challenge of implementing new techniques and constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. It's a journey of perpetual growth, where I eagerly embrace new tools and materials, finding innovative ways to bring my visions to life.
-
I have an unlimited supply of fascination for subjects that grasp me. I possess a great eye for the smallest detail and not many things remain unnoticed. With pride, I am a true ‘Jack of all Trades’ which allows me to have meaningful, productive conversations with many different fields. I am a compassionate, empathic human being and click easily in groups, driven by a genuine desire to facilitate mutual comprehension and collective success.
I love to work with groups and especially conduct inspirational research in various creative ways, that also impact behavioral transformation or gain insights about the self. I’ve taught classes, coordinated groups, given lectures, designed workshops, and worked as a production manager.
