My Vision
In a world driven by material consumption and wealth, we are losing sight of what truly matters: our well-being, our relationships, and the health of our planet. Overconsumption leads to severe environmental degradation, contributing significantly to climate change (Joshua, 2017). Meanwhile, the relentless pursuit of material wealth increases wealth inequality, leaving many people without access to the resources needed for a fulfilling life (Heijne & Noten, 2020). These intertwined problems - environmental degradation, climate change, and wealth inequality - are all consequences of a materialistic culture that prioritizes possessions over meaningful experiences, relationships, and sustainable living. Addressing these interconnected issues requires innovative solutions that shift societal values towards sustainability and equity.
As a designer, it is my responsibility to address these issues by shifting society away from materialism and towards a deeper, more sustainable source of happiness. True happiness comes from meaningful experiences, relationships, and a sense of purpose rather than excess material wealth. By designing solutions that emphasize shared experiences, personal growth, and community connections, I aim to contribute to a culture that values well-being over wealth.
Inspired by my own reverence for the natural world, I aim to help others find a sense of purpose and well being in connecting to and caring for nature. By developing designs that encourage sustainable practices and foster a deeper connection with the environment, I hope to contribute to a shift in societal values.
Heijne, S., & Noten, H. (2020). Fantoomgroei. Atlas Contact. https://www.atlascontact.nl/boek/fantoomgroei/
Joshua, J. (2017). The Environmental Effects of Overconsumption. In J. Joshua (Ed.), The Economics of Addictive Behaviours Volume IV: The Private and Social Costs of Overeating and their Remedies (pp. 67–73). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62536-2_9
Professional Identity
As a designer I am uniquely capable of turning theory into practice. By integrating theoretical concepts and research into my designs, I give people the opportunity to understand and interact with things in a different, more engaging way. In a time where it is becoming increasingly important to listen to what scientists are telling us, it is crucial to have designers who come up with innovative solutions to help the broader public adhere to the guidelines set by scientists and politicians in a positive way.
I enjoy working in a team, where my broad knowledge and skill set allow me to take on a leading role. I can support my team mates in their respective tasks as well as keeping overview to make sure everything is headed in the same direction. I approach problems and people with an open attitude and can look at things from different perspectives by asking the right questions. This, and being a good listener allow me to make people feel heard and understood, helping solve issues within my team.
I approach a design project with an iterative prototyping approach, making prototypes and testing them to find its strengths and weaknesses and improve those. Seeing progress made so visually keeps me motivated throughout the design process. I involve experts and stakeholders at multiple stages throughout the process to ensure I don’t overlook any big mistakes, which is especially critical to me when I work alone.
Although I have improved my prototyping skills a lot during my FBP, my biggest strengths regarding hard skills are focused on the visual sense. My photography skills allow me to share my view of the world around me with others. I use this often to share my reverence for the natural world, hoping to spark admiration for nature in those who view my work. I also do this with videography. Through being able to write, direct, film and edit videos, I have a high degree of control over how I communicate ideas and showcase concepts through my videos. In terms of branding, I also tend to create many of the other visuals in my projects, such as posters and logos.
