Inge — the invisible architect of Artori
Today, we take a look behind the scenes with Artori’s Managing Director, Inge Demuynck. Consider her the invisible architect and the beating heart of product design bureau Artori. She ensures everything runs smoothly, deadlines are met, and creative ideas are brought to life. A day in her professional life shows just how many hats she wears.
Not only does she keep a close eye on day-to-day planning, she also oversees the administrative and financial side of the business. This includes managing the purchase and sale of products that Artori has produced by its trusted partners on behalf of clients — from quotations and orders to delivery. With a clear vision, she also ensures that Artori stays visible by providing direction and input to the marketing team.
Last but not least, she makes sure the team feels at home at Artori — without a doubt the greatest challenge. It requires continuous training, as well as an ongoing search for ways of working that foster a positive atmosphere and a healthy work–life balance.
Let’s hear directly from Inge.
Inge — the invisible architect of Artori
What does a typical workday at Artori look like?
Like everyone at Artori, there’s no fixed daily routine. My day is largely shaped by the progress of projects and their deadlines, which means flexibility is essential. During our daily huddle, we review the status of ongoing projects with the team and discuss any potential issues.
Where needed, I adjust the planning and keep clients informed. The only real constants in my role are the monthly invoicing and payroll processing.
What are the biggest challenges in your role?
Without a doubt, people management. We’ve since moved towards a flexible working hours schedule to support a healthy work–life balance. At Artori, we believe in an open culture and encourage our team to speak up if they’re struggling with certain things. When concerns arise, we act on them immediately.
Even though we’re a small team, our focus lies on developing our people’s talents. We also aim to grow the team in the coming years. At the moment, we’re looking for a (junior) mechanical engineer, and interns are welcome as well — although finding the right person for the right role is never easy.
How do you decide which projects and clients get priority?
Some projects come with a fixed deadline, while others allow for more flexibility or require it due to interim evaluations with the client. I weave those projects into the overall planning accordingly. Once a colleague or team starts a project, I try to keep that assignment as stable as possible, as this greatly benefits communication with the client.
That said, sometimes there’s no other option than for colleagues to step in for one another. This flexible way of working truly defines Artori. A challenge? Absolutely. But it also leads to a very diverse and engaging job content for our team.
What do you believe is the secret to strong and sustainable client relationships?
We’re a small team, which allows us to stay close to our clients — something we consider essential. Just as communication is open and honest internally, we approach our clients in the same way: hands-on, driven and no-nonsense.
And how do you safeguard your own work–life balance?
It’s all about balance. Letting go isn’t always easy for Steven and myself. Even when we’re standing at the stove together on a Sunday, the conversation can quickly turn to Artori — though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. During a relaxing walk, a conversation about Artori can sometimes lead to fresh insights.
Artori is deeply woven into our DNA — something that’s also reflected in the Artori values, which mirror our personalities.
Would you like to work at a (Waregem-based) design bureau that puts its people first?
We are currently looking for a mechanical engineer and interns to strengthen our team. Click below to discover our job openings — and feel free to share them with anyone you know who might be a good fit.
