Identity

I would describe myself as an intentional designer. I aim for a thoughtful and user-centered approach to design. The solutions that I want to create are not only effective but also meaningful, striving to make a positive difference in the world.

I am a proactive person who is always looking for (self-)development. This is because I believe there is always room for improvement. In the area of design, I therefore value the input of various stakeholders and users to gather insights from different perspectives and address all of their needs. I am an honest person with a genuine desire to help others, which translates into effective communication and collaboration skills.

An example of looking for improvement is my contribution to student team InMotion. This student team aims to make a positive impact on sustainability and gave me the learning platform to develop my soft skills.

In the context of a design process, my expertise lies in designing with and for the user. I thrive on maintaining a clear goal, organizing tasks, and meeting deadlines. I am comfortable in a leadership role. My leadership style prioritizes inclusivity, ensuring that all team members are heard and actively participate in decision-making. When one of the team members acts quietly I make sure he or she is comfortable with the decision. However, making decisions independently is something I can struggle with, as I tend to seek confirmation before making a decision. During my final bachelor’s project, DIMMED, I already significantly improved this, as I worked mostly alone and had to make my own choices to stay on track and deliver a high-level product. Once I have mastered making choices independently, I see myself working in a leadership role.

The importance of inclusivity is not only evident in my leadership style, but also in my previous projects Bondy and Sport-i. Bondy focuses on communicating information and creating a sense of connection between a young child and his/her sibling in an artificial womb, while Sport-i provides fairness in physical activity games in high schools. Both projects strive to create inclusive environments that respect and address the diverse needs of all users.

Next to that, I possess many practical skills, such as graphic design and CAD design. Graphic design skills are important to me as they enhance communication, support branding and marketing efforts, and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the design. In 3D modeling, I pay attention to the visual appearance, its manufacturability, and which industrial processes apply to it.

I am very energetic and good at finding positive aspects in any situation. I can empathize well with people and I am able to find multiple possible solutions to a challenge. By doing more projects, working together with companies and experts, and continuous reflection, I would like to develop further into making a positive impact through design.

Vision

As a designer, my ambition lies in creating technologies that have a positive impact on the mental health of users. Although technology brings many benefits, such as improved communication and increased efficiency, its unregulated spread can also have negative consequences, like reduced physical activity and increasing mental disorders. I want to explore how well-being can always be integrated in the development of new technologies.

Technologies are integrated into our daily lives more and more and they are being developed at a rapid pace. Five years from now I envision that people are able to build a more balanced relationship with technology and thus learn to take a step back, and feel comfortable with not having to do anything for a while, to avoid ending up in a society where burnout is the norm.

My main goal is to contribute positively to the mental well-being of the population by creating technologies that integrate the well-being of the users. I am particularly intrigued by addressing problems such as low self-esteem and depression, which arise from societal pressures caused by the idealized portrayal of perfection on social media. I am currently working on DIMMED, an interface that helps address this problem by promoting screen-free time in the hour before you go to sleep.

In an era where technology is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, it is crucial to develop tools that not only enhance our productivity but also safeguard our mental health. Through thoughtful design and integrating user well-being in design, I believe we can create a future where technology supports a balanced, mentally healthy lifestyle.