Sanne Beeren is a graphic designer with a focus on book design. Her work centers on the interplay between the design of text, image, paper, binding and printing techniques—carefully tuning all elements to create tactile, enduring books. She values readability and visual clarity, ensuring that text invites reading and images invite looking. She aims for designs that carry an autonomous quality—that stay strong, even decades later.
She studied graphic design at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Arnhem (now ArtEZ), where she was inspired by influential teachers such as Karel Martens and Wigger Bierma. She also studied for three months with Walter Nikkels at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. With a strong interest in fine art, she took painting classes at ArtEZ and, after graduating, continued her studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence.
Although fine art remained a passion, her main focus stayed on graphic design. She worked for various clients and gained valuable experience during a significant period at Irma Boom Office. Since 2005, she has run her own graphic design studio, working for clients such as nai010 Publishers, Uitgeverij Perdu, the Ministry of Finance, architectural firms, and private clients. One of her book designs was selected for the annual Best Dutch Book Designs competition.
At the Royal Academy of Art (KABK), she teaches two different IST programmes focused on book design and typography. In addition to her role as a lecturer, she manages the KABK letterpress and bookbinding workshop, where students explore the tactile properties of ink and paper through practical experiments.