Professional Identity 

I am someone who has a critical attitude in his work with an overarching view. I focus in my work on connecting various disciplines, from a product/service’s aesthetics to the technological feasibility to the desires of stakeholders. I extract the core values of stakeholders in a project first to really find out what is needed (value driven research). This is followed by envisioning what possible solutions look like through sketches, digital mock-ups and physical prototypes. This is all done with the results of the value driven research in mind. The most suitable ideas are tested on their (technological) feasibility, and the best idea will be selected. I iterate on this idea by making an ‘ecosystem’. An ecosystem includes everything in the design process, from appearance to interaction to technical integration. Each element in this ecosystem should represent the extracted core values. This relates to my biggest drive to continue, namely transforming my own and other’s core values in market-ready products. Not just making products that do not have a strong substantiated reasoning behind it.  

There are various skills I use for this. I am experienced in working with IoT and coding to build digital and physical prototypes. Furthermore, I make regular use of electronics and digital prototyping tools in projects.  

Leadership became a skill of mine too. I often become the member with the overarching view as I try to keep everyone in a group on schedule, to help everywhere possible, and to communicate the overall ecosystem based on stakeholder insights. When it comes to presenting, I’m often eager to volunteer which resulted in becoming a more experienced presenter.  

Furthermore I developed an entrepreneurial mindset. During the design process I assess the concept on its viability next to its desirability and feasibility. I make sure that it will not be overlooked or neglected, which regularly happens around me. 

Ecosystem design (FBP), and discussion with marketing company (Rigged)

Vision 

When looking at society, I notice that people face various obstacles when trying to adapt to new innovations and technology. This can let people miss out on things which potentially could have supported them in their lives. I believe that a strong way to face this problem in products and services is by creating shared and engaging experiences. ‘Shared’ comes from the fact that the entry level is lower as a collective. ‘Engaging’ focuses on really paying attention to users so that they do not feel lost or disconnected from the product or service. This can be realized by making ‘smart’ products and services. Something becomes smart when AI and machine learning are used. That is exactly in which I see potential as they can leverage shared and engaging experiences to a whole new level. If used correctly and balanced, they can make the bridge to new innovations and technology for people smaller.  

I believe that the best shared and engaging experiences between users and smart products or services occur when personalization is included. When users see themselves reflected in smart products or services, the experience becomes more connected to them and emotionally resonant. Simple examples range from the elderly creating their own music by answering prompts in AI, to new luxe coffee machines offering coffee recommendations based on a user’s history. 

To create even better experiences between multiple people through smart products, I believe in the use of Internet of Things (IoT) as this can make seamless personalization and also communication possible. A good example is the physical x digital hybrid party game Rigged which I released recently. This adapts based on the input and preferences from the users, making it a shared and engaging experience tailored to them. 

It is important to consider that when I try to realize this vision, that there should be a critical look on the overall ecosystem of the product/service. Each element of the product/service should connect to the rest regarding appearance, interactions and functionality. If this is neglected, it becomes hard to create this shared and engaging experience which tackles the various obstacles people face nowadays when trying to adapt to new products or services.  

I believe that I can spread my vision the best by releasing products and services through my own businesses. I feel that an entrepreneurial mindset is often neglected in a design process which is a shame. This realization came from my business for the party game Rigged, where I found out how important it is to incorporate the business aspect as early as possible in the design process. Neglecting this part might let your products fail although the products themselves may have potential.