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Past
On this page I will elaborate on my development within the competencies: the Expertise Areas, Design and Research Processes and Professional Skills. Below, this is displayed using a visual overview. Some courses/project/activities are added multiple times due to their relevance to multiple competencies, as is described in the learnings+reflections (hover over the photos to read my learnings+reflections). When scrolling further down (or using the buttons directly below) I will elaborate and reflect a bit further on some of the relevant projects and courses. Even further down I outline extracurricular activities and what I learned from them - as these have significantly helped my development during my time at Industrial Design. As such they are also included in the overview below.
Development of competencies
Business and Entrepreneurship
In this course I learned about innovation methods, and how to evaluate business concepts and propose solutions or improvements. I learned how to critically revisit my own project, but also how to research necessary knowledge about existing businesses.
Design Innovation Methods
I learned about entrepreneurship, how to create and identify opportunities. We validated business concepts through real life testing through the 5 euro challenge (making as much profit as possible with a 5 euro investment).
USE: Intro to
Technology Entrepreneurship
I learned how to use the business model canvas, find market opportunities, explore strategies for running a business, and about Intellectual Property (management)
USE: Organizing Entrepreneurship
For this course I collaborated with Signify to create a business case for their LiFi applications. SWOT analysis, and customer journey mapping were some of the methods used to build and evaluate this business opportunity.
USE: Entrepreneur-ship in action
Design Management taught me about how to improve and evaluate business models, by using for example the value proposition canvas, or by looking at the brand identity and doing market research and user research.
Design Management
Green Business Models gave me handles on how to combine sustainability with business. We worked with Team CASA to evaluate their business model and value proposition in terms of sustainability and feasibility. I learned that with sustainable innovations the value proposition can be about sustainable values instead of only money.
Green Business Models
Business and Entrepreneurship
During this project I followed my USE line, meaning I could directly apply the models and tools learned there into the project. We worked with the business model canvas, looked into the target group and the production/sales cost of the design. I learned a lot by directly applying these models into my project.
Project 2.1: CRIGS
From doing my internship at a small design company, I learned a lot about the business side of design. How to run a company, how to identify new value propositions and finding a target group, market research, but also about the practical (money) aspect of suppliers, wholesale buyers or direct customers.
Internship
Creativity and Aesthetics
First walkthrough of a design process, ideation methods, and first experience with an iterative design process. It taught me that the design process is very important and that by following the iterative cycle interesting insights follow.
From Idea to Design
This project made me look at designing through the lens of the future, which brought a new way of designing: more creativity and less feasibility had to be considered. More creative ways of ideating were explored, such as using clay to make different shapes or acting out situations.
Project 1: Future Histories
In the CA area I learned about how to use quick ideation methods to create a research probe. This showed me a new way of creatively thinking about design
Design <> Research
In this course I learned that aesthetics are about much more than the appearance of a design. I learned about the aesthetics of an interaction, the terminology and methodology (frogger framework and interaction relabeling) connected to that and how this notion can be used to improve the experience of using a product.
Aesthetics of Interaction
The multiple assignments in this course and the corresponding prototypes taught me a lot about the message behind a design instead of the practical function or only the aesthetics
Socio-Cultural Sensitivity
This course not only taught me how to construct prototypes, but also new ways to look at interaction: rich interaction. It also taught me how to use quick prototyping as an ideation method.
Cardboard Modeling
Creativity and Aesthetics
This course taught me the multiple ways to use sketching: as a brainstorming technique, to communicate your (final) ideas. It also taught me how to sketch to communicate ideas optimally, and to develop a start to my own style within sketching
Exploratory Sketching
Normally when designing, these certain things I stay away from: taboos or other sensitive subjects. In this course that boundary was completely gone, resulting in a much more free form of creativity in the ideation phase. I learned a lot about, amongst others, anti-dogmatic design, but also how to lead a discussion (from the final presentation night)
Design for Debate
In this course we explored multiple views on aesthetics and design, through which I created my own perspective, which was written in a manifesto. My manifesto was about the simplicity of good design.
Perspectives on Aesthetics
My role in the LAPD committee was Chief of Promotion. I learned to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to more extensive levels to create posters. I also learned how to tell a story through visuals, and about brand consitency.
LAPD Committee
I made the cover, and many other visuals in the yearbook in Adobe Illustrator. This was my first time I really had to dive deep into learning this program and it has been useful throughout my entire studies!
Yearbook Committee
In this project I first did material explorations, to strengthen my designs. I used sketching to communicate the current design, and what the design might be like if we were to further develop it. Also, we learned about rich interaction and how to apply this into a product.
Project 2: CRIGS
Creativity and Aesthetics
During this project the CA area mostly came back in the creativity in gathering data. We used both existing and new techniques to gather useful data. Besides that we learned about seamless interaction and The interaction-attention continuum, showing me new ways to look at the interaction of a product.
Project 2.2: SIDpro
The owners of Jansen & de Bont (my internship company) are experts in the field of interaction. From their designs for lighting solutions I learned a lot about the interaction with light, and how much impact this has on the experience of using the lamp.
Internship
Math, Data and Computing
Calculus Variant A
This course taught me the basics of data analytics. Sorting, cleaning and visualizing data using python to gain insights through the data set. Also, it learned me a universal engineering language, meaning I can use this to communicate with other engineers.
Data Analytics
This course taught me about different types of data that can be collected, and how to make deal with the complexity of this data. I learned how to extract important conclusions from data and how to identify what data is needed to find these conclusions.
Making Sense of Sensors
All the gathered data had to be processed, which meant I was able to use what I had learned from previous courses in this area, while developing myself further in terms of extracting useful information from data in a scientific way.
Project 2.2: SIDpro
The complexity of the prototype asked for development in the MDC expertise. I worked on the code of the prototype, that had a lot of computing elements in it - which taught me a lot on how to handle this. At first with help from others, but slowly I started understanding it and being able to apply it.
Project 2: CRIGS
Technology and Realization
I learned how to use Arduino, programming in Processing, and how these can be combined to help create prototypes.
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Creative Programming
Applied Physics
This course taught me more about how to implement electronics and how to choose the right type of electronics.
Creative Electronics
For this project I helped make multiple prototypes (with and without electronics) to illustrate the experience like it would be in the future as best possible. For the prototype with electronics, this was the first time I really had to figure out which components were needed and how to integrate them into a circuit by myself.
Project 1: Future Histories
Engineering Design taught me about working together with a multidisciplinary group of people (and my role in this), adding to my ability to communicate with other engineers. I was the only one in my group with prototyping/v Arduino knowledge, meaning I mainly worked on that and developed myself in that area.
Engineering Design
Cardboard Modeling taught me how to use foamcore to create prototypes, and how to use it to create different mechanisms. It also taught me about how to use mechanical electronics with an Arduino, which opened my eyes to a whole new area of prototyping.
Cardboard Modeling
Technology and Realization
I was responsible for the construction (drawings) of the prototype - which was a challenge that I learned a lot from. From the start I tried to implement the electronics in the building plan, but throughout the building many adjustments had to be made which taught me valuable lessons. Also, I helped with both the actuator, light and mechanical aspect of the electronics, as well as its connectedness to the IoT.
Project 2: CRIGS
Even though this was a research project, there still was a lot of electronics and construction involved. I helped build the circuit and code, and soldered a big part of the 20 research probes that we needed for deployment. I improved my electronics and soldering skills, and learned about 3D-printing.
Project 2.2: SIDpro
During my internship I learned how to draw 3D models in Fusion, but also learned about how to integrate technology into a product from a production perspective instead of a prototyping perspective. I built a simple prototype using my Cardboard Modeling skills, and learned about the production process.
Internship
User and Society
I learned how to design for specific users, through user testing and making persona's. This showed me the value of incorporating the user, and not only designing from your own perspective
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User-centered Design
This course taught me about the ethical considerations of technology and designing. The historical aspect put that into perspective.
USE Basis
For the first time I could apply what I had learned about involving users in the design process. We used many creative user testing methods, amongst which the difference between digital and analog photography. Also, because we were designing from a future perspective I learned more about switching perspectives during the process
Project 1: Future Histories
In the US area I learned about how to use appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods and how to evaluate both the data and the concept. I was introduced to using different scales to measure emotions
Design <> Research
This course taught me about the notions of sustainability, design history, ethics and interculturality in design, and how to connect these. I visited a museum to add to this learning experience of seeing these different aspects of design.
Socio-Cultural Sensitivity
This is a course I took from another department to widen my knowledge. I learned about sustainable development, the agreements surrounding it and the methods on how to do it.
Sustainable Development in a Global Context
User and Society
This course gave me a basic knowledge array of psychology - how the brain works, how psychology and technology go together (and the ethical considerations surrounding the combination). I learned about emotions, and how people recognize things - which were my main takeaways for in my design practice.
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Introduction to Psychology and Technology
Throughout this course I deepened my knowledge about user evaluation methods. I discovered new methods, learned about when to apply which method and how to deal with the data (before by considering its purpose and afterwards by extracting information).
User Evaluation Methods
User testing was a significant part of this project, as the design was deployed for multiple days with two different families. Setting up structures on how to collect the data we needed and arranging this learned me a lot about other ways of user testing - besides asking fellow ID students. It showed me the value of user testing with your target group.
Project 2: CRIGS
This research project required data to be gathered from professional environments. In our case that meant we deployed 10 probes each to 2 restaurants for 2 weeks. Finding these companies and learning which questions to ask them to gather useful data was a big learning point.
Project 2.2: SIDpro
Design and Research Processes
First walkthrough of a design process, ideation methods, and first experience with an iterative design process. It taught me that the design process is very important and that by following the iterative cycle interesting insights follow.
From Idea to Design
This project was the first longer project where I could experience the iterative design process and all its components multiple times. It also taught me about how to choose the right methodologies for specific scenarios.
Project 1: Future Histories
Going through this design process taught me how this is done when working in a multi-disciplinary team. The others were not aware of ID's methods of iterative design or different brainstorming methods. Their new view on this resulted in a different design process than what I was used to.
Engineering Design
This was my introduction on Research Through Design, showing me how design can have another purpose besides creating a marketable product. It taught me methodologies on how to gather and generate knowledge for the design research community.
Design <> Research
This project was the first project that involved extensive user testing, which had a big influence on the design process and its planning. We incorporated material explorations, and had to collaborate to send and receive data from other groups, which stressed the importance of a planning. Designing this product also taught me a lot on how to choose appropriate methods throughout the process.
Project 2: CRIGS
This was the first research project that I followed after learning about it during the course Design <> Research. What I learned was a good base to get started, but along the way I learned a lot on how to conduct such a process - where not the design but knowledge is the main outcome.
Project 2.2: SIDpro
Design and Research Processes
I really wanted to find out what the difference was between studying ID and working at a small design company. Because from the company perspective everything it money driven, the design process is much more pragmatic. This taught me a lot about myself as a designer, as I enjoyed the quick-paced no nonsense approach.
Internship
Professional skills
ID Career Committee
Conduct Committee
Yearbook Committee
From being part of these committees, as well as from my projects and my internship I learned lots of Professional Skills. Communicating my ideas or projects is something I learned during Demo Day, from making my portfolio, but also from presenting myself, the committee I was part of or my project.
Collaborating I also learned during projects (with well and less functioning groups), but also from multi-disciplinary courses, where I noticed that the knowledge I had made communication with other engineers easier. Planning and organizing I first learned when making the yearbook, which is a big project where delivery and printing times, as well as sponsorships from companies need to be taken into account. This experience helped other projects, where I further developed this skill. Dealing with scientific information is a skill I developed when I started (really) reading papers and using those as related work. It took me a while to see the usefulness or reading a lot, but when I had the realization I noticed it was much easier to argue for my designs and to improve them. Lastly, reflecting is a skill I have developed throughout my 5 years of studying ID. I enjoy reflecting because I see the value and growth it brings. Reflecting throughout a project (not only on personal development but on project level) came later, but helped me strengthen my design and process.
Relevant projects
The projects that have been of significant value to me as a designer and my development are displayed below. Use the buttons or scroll to find out more details about my projects!
Aesthetics of Interaction: Feet.Forward
For the course 'Aesthetics of Interaction', the goal was to design an alarm clock, with meaningful and intuitive interactions. The course teaches the meaning of interaction, and how this can be approached. For example, how you can invite interaction, and how feedback is given.
Our design that came from this was 'Feet.Forward'. The video on the left explains the design.
My personal contribution to this project was mainly the experience aspect. This project ran during covid-19 times, meaning we could not work together on making prototypes and show these in real life as deliverables. We were therefore challenged to convey the interaction and experience through a screen. I tried solving this for example by using stereo sound, to give the experience an extra dimension when watching the video.
Since I find the interaction users have with a product very important, that is also what I focused most on. I wanted to make sure that the interaction was as meaningful as possible. I did not want to use screens, numbers or other 'ordinary' things an alarm clock has. I really wanted to think out of the box when designing this alarm clock, to make it not 'just another alarm clock'.
Furthermore I worked on how the design looks, what forms it should have and which feeling it should convey (see pictures on the left). I also made product sketches (see pictures below) to compensate for not being able to make the prototype exactly how we wanted it to be.
Lastly, I tried to be creative on how to involve everyone when designing and making the prototype, instead of having just one person at home making it. It was definitely a challenge to run such a project when you cannot meet up in person, but I'm still very happy with the result.
Project B2.1: MYSA
MYSA helps create a balance between chores and relaxation by visualizing your evening. Folds and lights are used to show the passage of time. The lights around the house are influenced by this, to create a more relaxing evening experience. Because MYSA offers you the freedom to organize your evening, it makes you more aware of your use of time. Due to the interactive folds MYSA is a combination of both digital and physical features. Because it is part of the Internet of Things, MYSA sends and receives data. This contributes to the smart home system. The Internet of Things makes MYSA a more personal device, because it interacts with other devices in the home.
My personal contribution to this project was firstly ideating and creating a narrative. During the ideation phase, I worked on material exploration (pictures on the right), and started planning the realization of this project. Next to this, I worked on connecting our system to the IoT that was set up to demonstrate our project. I also filmed and edited the video. Besides the practical aspects that had to get done to realize the project, I worked on the project planning, project documentation, and employment to user-test the prototype for a full week. Lastly, I worked on designing a next iteration , for which I made sketches (bottom right) to show how we would move on with the project if it ran longer.
My main goal and contribution was creating a non-intrusive, aesthetically pleasing product that was highly focussed on experience.
Project B2.2: Xpire
”How does shifting the cook’s awareness of expiration dates from focused attention to peripheral attention influence their overview of expiring food in their fridge?”
Xpire was the outcome of a research project. This project revolved around areas of attention, meaning it was focussed on seeing where in your attention something takes place: in the focused attention, back of the attention or in the periphery of the attention, (located in between the focus and back area).
Our project was focussed on cooks, and how they register expiring dates of food. Normally stickers are used for this, where a cook has to take time to fill these out and think of what date it is today. We designed Xpire, a device that can be placed instead of a sticker, which you can turn according to the amount of days the product will be good for. It will start with a green light, and over the set days the light will fade to red.
My personal contribution to this project can be found in a few things. Firstly, I made the plans for realizing 20 prototypes, which needed a strict schedule to make it possible. I also made the 3D-printable designs, and did the majority of the soldering work, which means that lots of hours were put into soldering the components to all 20 soldering boards. At this time I was not aware of PCB-design, and the possibility to outsource this, however, it means I have experience soldering now.
Secondly, I was involved in designing the research set-up, interviewing the participants and analyzing this data.
In the end, this project was very tech-heavy, but I still learned a lot about how to conduct research. New methods were tried besides just interviewing.
That being said, the biggest thing I learned from this project is project planning. Not only a deliverable for university was at play here, but also a month-long deployment at two restaurants that we did not want to let down. Combining that with having to make 20 research probes, it was a good learning experience on how to plan a project.
Internship: Jansen & de Bont
From September through December I have done my B3.1 internship at Jansen & de Bont. A small Eindhoven based design company, who run an existing business in gesture controlled lighting solutions designed for the kitchen market. Next to that they are working on a new project. During my internship I got to contribute to both parts of the company, which made that I was able to reach almost every goal I had set for myself at the start of my internship. I learned a lot about the differences between working as a designer in a small company compared to studying at Industrial Design, but I also developed a lot of new hard and soft skills, such as making 3D models, or how to maintain good client and supplier relationships. Besides that, I have also learned about myself and my PI&V. I learned that my PI&V fits very well into this company context, but above all, I learned that I feel comfortable with my PI&V and that personally I’m happy with the development I went through.
Extracurricular activities
Besides studying Industrial Design, I'm also an active member of s.v.i.d. Lucid, the study association of Industrial Design. This means I was involved in a few committees, where I learned many relevant (professional) skills. These skills have proven to be useful for my development as a designer (for example when looking for an internship, contacting companies for my FBP, planning, and using Adobe programs throughout my studies or planning a project).
ID Career Committee
From August 2019 until August 2020, I was treasurer of ID Career. This means that I kept an eye on the money that is going in and out. I also worked hard on introducing ID students and companies to each other, and maintaining these professional contacts.
Conduct Committee
From June 2019 until June 2020, I have been part of the Conduct Committee. Conduct is a festival that is organized by ID students every year, but grew quickly. My role here has been secretary, and then I became Chairman. This was a challenge, since it is a big project that needs to be managed, with big risks. Unfortunately, the festival could not take place last year, but I have definitely seen it as a learning experience. I learned a lot about how to manage such a big event where many factors are involved. Next to that, as Chairman I learned a lot about leading a group, keeping everyone motivated and making sure the communication went well.
Yearbook Committee
From August 2018 until February 2020 I was involved in the Yearbook committee, I filled the role of External Affairs, Illustration maker and for the last half year Chairman. I learned to work with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and besides that I learned how to plan such a big project, where many parties are involved.
LAPD Committee
From August 2018 until August 2019 I fulfilled the role of Chief of Promotion with the LAPD (Lucid's Awesome Party Department) committee. This committee organizes about 5 parties each year. I was responsible for creating promotion material such as posters, as well as managing the social media channels and using those for promotion purposes.
