Henk Willems runs his own branddesign agency Studio WillemsPeeters and teaches graphic design at the Arteveldehogeschool in Ghent. Previously he worked in advertising as a design director (Duval Guillaume, Duval Branding,…) for more than 20 years. Liene Donckers works as an independent marketing communications manager for corporates like Port of Antwerp, ENGIE and KBC and has a history of 8+ years in pub agencies.

Henk and Liene decided to make a book together. At first there was a large collection of drawings of giants that Henk passionately created over the past 2 years. When Liene joined the project there were two conditions they agreed upon: it had to become a premium book and the entire income needed to be donated to a good cause for children. Whilst Liene selected the images to write the story, Henk designed the entire book from scratch. The result: ‘Terugkeer van de Reuzen’ (‘Return of the Giants’), a 100% non-profit illustrated book for older kids and young adults.

With this project, Collectief.Tuimelkruid also saw the light, including other talented creatives like Joachim Claeys, a music composer who created a 10’ soundscape based on the story.

The book was officially launched mid November 2020 and was sold out within 6 weeks. The total amount of 4.500 euro was directly transferred to good cause vzw Feestvarken, allowing this non-profit organisation to build a ‘first’ birthday party for approximately 100 young children living in extreme poverty. In February 2021 ‘Terugkeer van de Reuzen’ got awarded ‘Children’s Book of the Week’ on Ketnet.