Hi, I'm Koen!
I'm a creative, functional designer from Utrecht. What is a functional designer exactly? Well, every creative professional likes to use fancy words to define new roles that do not fit in the typical categories; me included. If you scroll down a bit, you see a visualization what I am more in-depth. I mainly use UX, data (AI), concept, and product design to solve real-world problems with empathy, craft and lots of green tea.
My Toolkit
Theoretical maker
I'm a practical thinker or a theoretical maker. Sounds contradicting right? Well, I use conceptual models and wireframing to prototype solutions, fulfilling user needs. I use a multitude of design methods, like UI- and visual design to create digital prototypes. I'm also a frontend programmer making websites and webapps like the one you're currently scrolling through out of plain HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
I'm a big fan of co-creation as well, trying to give a podium to non-designers so they can express their ideas into proof-of-concepts that can be translated to reality. Lastly, I'm a digital fabricator; where I use techniques like 3D-printing, laser cutting, embroidery design and vinyl plotting to create high-fidelity products. You can find some of them in my portfolio or on my blog page. I try to prototype something new/usable every week. It helps to maintain my creative muscles.
Defining my profile
It's always hard to define yourself, especially now the field of design is changing so rapidly. This is how I define myself; a generalist in most fields of design with a focus on Service-, UX- and UI design. I've worked as a lecturer for 2 years where I helped aspiring designers to master the different design thinking steps to create awesomeness in all fields of design.
Right now I'm working at the Dutch Tax Authority to improve the accesiblity and efficiency for all stakeholders that deal with the services of the 'Belastingdienst'. My specialty lies in Data-Driven Design and stakeholder management. I have hands-on design experience with most design software.
More about me...
I'm into running marathons as a way to empty out my head and trying to improve every time I run a race. I'm aware that slow and steady wins the race but that consistency builds up speed over time. Iterating over and over to reach my goals is therefore a tried and tested method in running but also designing.
I'm also a political news junkie that likes to read and learn about political and societal developments from around the world. I clear out and organize the files on my computer every month and clean and arrange my appartment two times a week. I've created about 25% of the items in my appartment myself and I'm trying to bump up those numbers as side projects. Why buy things when you can make them yourself?
Want to grab a coffee to talk about a project?