Nov 253 min read

Wil Nellen: Mechanical Designer and Musician at heart

A kind of adventure seeking peers

Wil Nellen is the type of man you don't forget quickly. Our meetings, always unexpected, took place in cities like our hometown Venlo, Amsterdam, Brussels and Antwerp. It was never planned, but always at the right moment. "You were really such a typical style-icon-man back then," I say laughing. With your own style and that artistic vibe. And we always met each other at the craziest moments," I say. "Just like that, suddenly he was there again: Wil Nellen."

Wil laughs. “No, suddenly you were there: Will Falize. But it was always cool that we ran into each other at those places. A kind of adventure seeking kindred spirits, that's how it felt."

I was always impressed by Wil Nellen and at a certain point we decided to make a portrait series together. Lots of vintage looks, oldtimers cars and trumpets!

"Creating with Passion and Patience"

The Man Behind the Work: Mechanical Designer with Vision

Wil is a mechanical designer who finds the perfect balance between engineering and creation. His work goes beyond designing functional machines. His approach to mechanical design is infused with his love for perfection. Wil’s designs are always precise, both in function and form, with attention to every detail. “There is so much more to a design than just the technical aspect,” he explains. “For me, it also has to evoke a feeling and atmosphere, it has to fit in with its surroundings.” This philosophy is also reflected in his own space, where everything is carefully chosen – from the furniture to the machines he designs.

Music as Lifeblood

In addition to his work as a mechanical designer, music plays a crucial role in Wil’s life. As a trumpet player, he lives not only the technique of the instrument, but also the emotion it brings. “The trumpet is an extension of feeling,” he says. “Every note I play has to resonate with something deep inside.” His love for music has enhanced the precision he puts into his work as a designer. “Whether it’s music or mechanical design, it’s always about the right tone,” he explains. The two worlds of music and design complement each other and come together in his projects.

"I hate and love my trumpet"

The Perfectionist: Attention to Detail

That Wil is a perfectionist by nature cannot be denied, a trait that is not only evident in his work as a designer, but also in his other passions. "Whether I'm designing a machine, making music, or restoring a car, I always put time into the details," he says. His love for cars, including his first car, a Citroën DS, and a classic Buick, stems from the same desire for the perfect design. "I like to drive in my own atmosphere." It seems as if Wil is in a movie, his own movie in which he is in control of everything.

When I ask him what he would like to tell readers when he looks back on everything he has done – music, design and the art of living – he answers: “Stay close to yourself. I think that is the most important thing. Look for beauty in what you do and dare to be stubborn. For me, happiness lies in creating things that I find beautiful, things that are right. And now I also want to make more room for love, for my girlfriend. That is also an art, perhaps the most beautiful of all.”

Will Falize to Wil Nellen: “That is a wonderful ending maestro!