Emma Ribbens works at the intersection of product and social design. She runs her own practice Studio Ludiek, based in Antwerp, and designs for toy brand Smart Toys and Games, among others. She is also actively involved in the international network ConstructLab.

Ribbens studied product design at LUCA School of Arts Genk and Child Culture Design at HDK in Gothenburg, Sweden. For her master’s thesis she worked with an NGO on play as a lever in refugee camps — a theme that has remained the through-line of her practice. In 2017 she received the Wanatoeprijs from the daily newspaper Het Belang van Limburg, the distinction awarded to Limburg-based art students.

In January 2026 she won gold in the Young Talent category at the Henry van de Velde Awards 2026.