PAST
How I developed myself in the expertise areas during the bachelor
BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
I started exploring business models during my USE course Design for a Sustainable Future. With my group, we explored the business model of a company and designed improvements. I developed an understanding of the complexity of business models, and where the opportunities are for (sustainable) improvement. I learned more about this during Trends and Forecasting. This course helped me to find trends and to become aware of the impact of your design choices and the designs you bring to the market. And how you have to be aware of the changes in many areas, like politics, economics, technology (T&R).
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I made a business model for Project 2 during Design Innovation Methods, with the use of different canvasses, like the business model canvas, value laddering and the value proposition. I learned how that helps with shaping your business, understanding the needs of the customer, and finding opportunities.
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In my third year of my bachelor, I did an internship at the Fashion Tech Farm in Eindhoven during which I discovered more about what it is like to run your own business, and where I would like to work after my studies. I developed my professional skills massively by networking and meeting experts, helping with the organization of the Dutch Design Week exhibition, and stepping out of my university bubble.
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CREATIVITY & AESTHETICS
During my first design course, From Idea to Design, I was introduced to the design process and ideation techniques like the Crazy 8, whole-body techniques, and pressure cookers.
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As I am a visually strong person, I highly value good aesthetics, well-finished designs, and a visual communication style. This is important for communicating ideas with experts (B&E), visualizing data (M,D&C), or even communicating a perspective as I learned during the course Perspectives on Aesthetics.
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I have been the Chief of Promotion for the InspirID and Lustrum committees of the student association Lucid, during which I learned to communicate with a visual style. I used this for the branding and Instagram promotion for the DDW exhibition at the Fashion Tech Farm.
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The course Aesthetics of Interaction taught me about the interconnection between aesthetics and interactions and enriched my knowledge and skills in terms of creativity and aesthetics. I developed an understanding of how interaction models and design methods can be used to design for more than just the appearance of a product. The course Design and Sensorial Form added to this, as I learned about how also auditory and tactile modalities play a huge role in how we experience design.
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Within this expertise area, I focus on the detail without losing sight of the total picture. I like to explore materials (T&R) and add to a new experience for the user. Making use of speculative or critical design, I like to push creative boundaries.
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MATH, DATA & COMPUTING
I learned to program in Java language during the course Creative Programming, and this was further developed during Creative Electronics. I used this to program sensors and actuators that helped me with making many prototypes like the Masked Society ritual stand, and Flutterly (T&R). I also worked with Python to learn to clean, visualize and understand data during the courses Data Analytics and Making Sense of Sensors which helped me to understand better how data can become a starting point for a design. For example, during the course Digital Craftsmanship, my group used data for pattern generation and the shape of the design (C&A).
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I worked with OOCSI for the course Technologies for Connectivity and developed an understanding of the complexity of systems, and how adding one device can change the structure of data exchange.
This expertise area is one that is in my eyes becoming more and more important. I want to learn how data (and the processing of it) can help with an environment-centered approach when designing, and help me realize my vision.
TECHNOLOGY & REALIZATION
Throughout my Bachelor’s, I have worked on many prototypes using electronic circuits with sensors and actuators. I quickly learned the value of this expertise area, as having a prototype allows you to test your design with users (U&S), but also make you more aware of the complexity of the data that flows around (M,D&C) and the risks and ethics of certain designs.
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I have learned to make high-quality prototypes for Aesthetics of Interaction and Project 2. During the course Digital Craftsmanship I started exploring the relation between data and aesthetics and building a narrative around this. I have worked with many different materials, and therefore I have an eye for making processes. During my internship at the Fashion Tech Farm, I learned more about the qualities and characteristics of different fabrics, and the production processes. I worked with the vinyl cutter, sublimation prints and the laser cutter and discovered how these machines helped me in realizing my creative ideas (C&A). Having a lot of experience with sewing and fabrics helps me now in making the right material choices.
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USER & SOCIETY
User-centred Design was the first course that introduced me to methods like semi-structured interviews and design for a good user experience. I learned how to involve users in all phases of the design process and ensure that their needs are met with the final design.
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Courses like Architecture and the City and Design for a Sustainable Future USE, challenged me to not only consider human needs, but also those of the environment and nonhumans. For example, I worked on the design of a lighting installation to enhance a feeling of safety for pedestrians during the night, but had to pay attention to how plants and animals living in that area were affected by these lights. My USE Basic course, Disruptive Technologies, broadened my perspective on the importance of considering the impact on society of new technological designs.
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During my internship, I joined the user tests for their medical device in development: Bilihome (Bilihome B.V.). I helped with and guided user tests with parents with newborns at the NICU, which required compassion and empathy to understand the user and make them feel heard.
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For me, the Expertise Area of User & Society is much more than just the human user. As I like to care for others, and the environment, it is very important for me to take non-human stakeholders into account.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
I am good at planning, organizing and keeping an overview. Having had student assistant jobs for User-centred Design (bachelor ID) and Unexpected Material Engagements (master ID), I learned to improve these skills. My internship at the Fashion Tech Farm allowed me to meet many other designers and expand my network.
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I am good at collaborating, and I enjoy a good discussion. Besides the many groups I have joined for my courses, I also joined a total of four committees of the study association of Industrial Design; Lucid. Together we worked towards huge events for which I was the Chief of Promotion for each committee. Therefore, communication is also one of my skills. Preferably, I work visually and I make use of sketches or Adobe Illustrator to communicate my ideas and designs.
DESIGN AND RESEARCH PROCESSES
During the bachelor’s I have learned about many ideation techniques like sketching, pressure cookers and lo-fi prototyping. I still like to use these in my current design processes.
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The course Design <> Research helped me understand the methodology of Research through Design, and how design can be a tool for gaining knowledge. I learned about design research principles and how methods are chosen based on the intent of the study.
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From the user tests I joined during my internship, I learned about the documentation during the user test, and how this knowledge is then implemented later on in the process.
PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND VISION
The courses I took during my bachelor were very diverse, and allowed me to explore what my interests are, what I value and what I want my designs to contribute to. I quickly learned that I am interested in the expertise areas Creativity & Aesthetics and Technology & Realization. I love to work with my hands, and make high-quality prototypes. Also, I am interested in speculative and critical design, as I like to provoke discussions and help others change their mindset.
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During my third year and my internship in my fourth year, I became more interested in the fashion industry. I find it important to work on sustainable solutions for this industry, and change the mindset of both the designer and the consumer to work towards a better future.