Luk van der Hallen (†2024) was a Product Design teacher at the Media & Design Academy (KHLim) in Genk, and also taught at the Design Academy Eindhoven and FH Joanneum in Graz (Austria). He was a thinker, entrepreneur and designer who shaped and inspired generations of young designers.

As the initiator of the IDEM conferences (International Design Educational Meeting), he brought together designers, educators and students from around the world across more than twenty editions. For six years he served on the Board of the Cumulus Association of Arts & Design Universities, the international network of art and design schools. Partly thanks to his efforts, the Cumulus conference took place in Limburg in May 2010.

Luk was also a member of the Provincial Commission for Artistic Crafts, playing a key role in the early days of Toegepast. He also ran his own design studio Art + Design in Maasmechelen.

He was known for his infectious laugh, his optimistic view of the world and his ability to connect people from different cultures and countries. His creativity and teachings continue to inspire — in Limburg and far beyond.