As an Industrial Design Engineer I like to describe myself as a maker and a problem solver, driven by the passion of creating something new and seeing an idea come to life. I am a design thinker with an analytical mindset who aims to look beyond obvious solutions that don't address the real problem. After all, I agree with the saying that “a problem well stated, is a problem half solved”. My empathic nature and human-centered approach in design help me to achieve this. By putting myself in the shoes of different stakeholders, I try to design solutions that truly meet their needs. These can be fully physical products, include electronics, or be entirely digital, depending on the needs. Coupled with my perfectionistic character, I strive for these solutions to be of high quality, rich in detail and impactful to the user.
I am also a fast and self-directed learner. My background in study programs with a lot of freedom of choice has allowed me to develop myself in the areas I am passionate about and taught me how to independently acquire new knowledge and skills. This learning-by-doing approach also plays a role in my design processes, where I value early prototyping and learning through the evaluation of design iterations.
3D modeling is often where my ideas really start to take shape, especially when combined with digital manufacturing. Being able to translate ideas on paper into functional 3D models allows me to quickly prototype, refine and prepare for manufacturing.
I have extensive experience in both solid and mesh modeling techniques and know when to apply each approach. I am most proficient in SolidWorks and Fusion 360 for solid CAD modeling of technical parts, with some experience in Siemens NX. For mesh modeling (scans, organic shapes, etc.) I am skilled in using Blender.
When required, I ensure my 3D models are suitable for the chosen manufacturing technique. I have a lot of practical experience and knowledge in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), and I understand the important design constraints for other production methods, such as CNC machining and injection molding.
In order to explore, test, evaluate and quickly iterate ideas, I like to prototype soon and frequently. The desired method and quality depends on the project and phase of the design process. It can range from low-fidelity cardboard models or 2D wireframes, to high-fidelity prototypes using rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing and laser cutting. Also, when applicable, I can embed electronic components for added functionality (see "Digital Protyping & Programming") .
The essence of the process is to learn, whether that is through self-testing a prototype to check its functionality or getting user feedback to understand their experience. By observing how users interact with prototypes and asking about their experience, I aim to identify usability and user experience issues that may not be obvious.
My digital prototyping and programming skills enable me to create both interactive physical prototypes and fully digital concepts. Using microcontrollers such as Arduino boards and C++ programming, I can integrate electronics in physical prototypes to make them functional. These can then be more accurately evaluated to determine whether they function as intended and deliver the desired user experience through user testing.
Sometimes the best solution can be fully digital, such as websites, mobile apps or VR/AR concepts. My understanding and experience in conducting a thorough design process allow me to create user-friendly, interactive prototypes with design tools like Adobe XD and Figma. This involves defining core functionalities, determining user interactions, and ensuring a logical flow that guides users through their tasks. Finally, I aim to create aesthetically pleasing UI's that aligns with the brand or organization’s identity.
I started learning sketching during my bachelor's from the very inspiring teacher Martijn van de Wiel, and it has since become a major tool in my design processes. I use sketching as a tool to think visually and explore, and to communicate ideas.
During idea generation, I use an open, exploratory mindset to quickly sketch out possibilities, which often triggers new and unexpected solutions. In my experience, this approach leads to concepts that aren’t immediately obvious and prevents overthinking.
I also use sketching to communicate ideas to team members, clients or other stakeholders, since a visual sketch can be much more informative than just an explanation. It allows for creative discussion and quick feedback. Long story short, sketching allows me to solve problems more effectively.
Industrial Design often has a graphic component. Apart from the aesthetics of the design itself, this also includes the design of various media to communicate and present the design, branding and packaging design, and UI design. Throughout my projects I have experience with developing different graphic designs. I mostly use Adobe design software such as Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.
In addition to using sketches to convey my concepts, I have experience with 3D rendering to effectively communicate my designs and 3D models. For this I use the powerful rendering engines within Blender.
Rendering enables me to create more detailed, high-quality visualizations, with the option to use photo-realism and placing the design in a specific context. Furthermore, I can highlight the functionality and components of designs through rendered exploded views or animated parts.
In this fictional case, I designed a barbecue seasoning gift pack for Verstegen. Three levels of packaging were developed while taking into account their visual brand identity as well as producibility, manufacturing, materials, and legal requirements.
The jars were designed to resemble the original Verstegen jars with a diamond-inspired twist to fit the gift theme. They are presented in a foam inlay in a folding boxboard package with custom graphical design, which is shipped in bulk in corrugated slotted containers on a euro-pallet.
Replicating complex, organic shapes in CAD can be challenging. In this project we explored the approach of 3D photoscanning a complex object to use as reference for surface modeling in Siemens NX. Using this, we were able to develop a high quality and precise solid model of the exterior body of a camera with complex curvatures. A result that would not have been possible by simply measuring dimensions.
This method has various applications, such as replicating intricate parts, generating precise reference geometry for 3D modeling, enhancing current products, and designing complementary new products.
OneSpace is the result of my Final Bachelor Project at the TU/e, which was developed completely from home due the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, this situation provided a unique opportunity to explore the role of design in addressing the social impact of the pandemic on office workers.
With the forced shift to home-based office work, social interaction among coworkers decreased. OneSpace addresses this by providing a tangible interface on desks, mimicking the familiar office layout. It facilitates social interaction by creating a shared awareness of people’s contextual position, enabling them to socially interact through proximity communication and dynamically influencing the perception of the home office environment accordingly with light and soundscapes.
The Backpack app is the product of a user-centered design process for designing new media. By incorporating various methods of user participation and feedback, we designed an app concept that aims to help users become more aware of their personal belongings. It promotes mindful consumption and environmental responsibility, enabling users to log their possessions. By visualizing their "backpack" of items, which grows in size as more items are added, users are encouraged to reflect on their possessions without feeling judged and offers tips on managing unneeded items through recycling, donating, or selling to the community.
For Zeton B.V., a company that designs and builds pilot plants for chemical processes, I developed an interactive scale model (1:10) of their innovative modular production line "ContiUnity".
ContiUnity is a modular production line consisting of various modules that can be combined based on specific requirements to create a flexible processing line.
The ContiMini's that I designed and FDM 3D printed are used for demonstrations at trade shows and to share the concept with stakeholders. Based on technical CAD drawings, I developed 3D-printable versions from the ground up, that snap together with magnets. Interactively these can be mixed and matched to create custom configurations, just like the real-world version.
This course project focused on thoroughly analyzing the graphic language of the audio-visual brand Bang & Olufsen in order to translate it into a brand extension: an e-bike design.
In the first phase, the graphics and form language of the brand were analyzed and explicit and implicit design characteristics of the brand were specified. These were then translated in a 2D design on rejected aluminium Sparta frames by using color, texture and graphics (no form). Finally, a novel 3D concept was developed by adding form language to the mix.
The end result is an unconventional e-bike design, which design process gave us interesting insights and hands on experience about the various aspects to a brand's graphic language and how it can be applied to designing unrelated products.
During this design project, we aimed to transform the experience of planning and joining activities with strangers in the social setting of a hostel. The final system replaces the often unseen and uninviting A4 sign-up spreadsheets with tangible, interactive building blocks that allow the users to initiate and build activities together around a central place. It creates shared awareness and visibility of activities and the people involved, with the aim of bringing travelers together, fostering connections and sharing memorable adventures.
The Hippotainer, designed by Wageningen University graduates, is an innovative Vertical Farm in a converted freight container. It allows for year-round plant growth, regardless of location and external conditions. Since shipping the actual container to an international trade fair is not realistic, I was asked to develop a scale model to demonstrate the concept to interested parties.
In a relatively short time, and in close consultation, I modified the existing visual 3D model component by component into a 3D-printable kit. All parts were then carefully assembled to form the final demonstrator. I was pleased to hear that it was, and still is, of great help in communicating the concept.
