My Journey

User and Society

To make a significant impact, I learned to appropriately develop a scope and research question around an ill-defined problem or topic (CDR). I learned how to exploratively gather quantitative data to enrich qualitative findings and vice-versa (DED). This allows me to reach a deeper understanding where additional findings emerge as you contextualize data in real-time.

I also developed a broad and theoretically grounded perspective on the multiple stages of UX, working from why, to what, to how (UXTP). This nicely complements my technological mindset and better grounds my design decisions by focusing on empathy, needs- and value-based design, and understanding behavior from a theoretical perspective.

I can also develop methodologies, e.g., by creating a card sorting system based on data types for assessing mental models in IoT systems (M1.2). This experience made me a versatile designer that can synthesize creative methods for accessing new insights. Furthermore, I learned to generalize my findings to generate knowledge that contributes to a relevant and professional audience, e.g., through my CHI2023 publication.

Finally, I learned how to engage with users at a larger scale, leveraging communities for need-finding, ideation, and getting commitment for your projects (CXD). This different mode of engagement allows me to operate at both micro and macro scales. Additionally, I can place findings in a societal perspective (DSI), learning about theories and practices that place isolated design challenges in a transformative societal context.

[1] Verheijden, M. P., & Funk, M. (2023). Collaborative Diffusion: Boosting Designerly Co-Creation with Generative AI. In Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544549.3585680

Contributions

Technology and Realization

At the beginning of the Master program, I did not always dare to think out-of-the-box because of my limited realization skills. Throughout this program, however, I continuously stepped out of my comfort zone to develop robust skills and perspectives, allowing me to realize my ideas and afford more creative freedom.

In my M1.1 project, I significantly improved my physical realization skills. Given its many moving parts, this prototype required developing the necessary mechanical skills and calculations. By also learning to carefully select and implement the right technological components, I can create robust physical prototypes that convey functionality and are appreciated for their aesthetical and mechanical quality, for example, by the Dutch Design Week and DutchDesignDaily.com (M1.1).

This change of mindset, in which prototypes are no longer just experiential entities but careful integrations of form, function, and interaction, is also visible in my CADA prototype. Even in merely functional prototypes, such as the ones from DED, I aim to ensure a robust implementation that can withstand longitudinal deployment and use.

By forcing myself to step out of my comfort zone by learning and repeatedly using new languages like Python and JavaScript, I can now create custom applications (M1.2, EIBSC). I also learned to leverage multiple external services and APIs to diversify my abilities further to expand my realization possibilities (M2.1). Along with this process, I learned how to properly communicate the functionality of my creations through clear annotations and system overviews (DED, M2.1).

Contributions

Math, Data, and Computing

With a strong background in math and data analysis from my Bachelor, I mainly focused on AI, data-enabled, and data-driven design.

In terms of AI, I learned to build and train a neural network through the development of an AI planning tool (EIBSC). Additionally, I learned how to analyze the performance of AI models to assess their effectiveness and implement multiple XAI strategies for creating trust and intelligibility around my designs (EIBSC).

I further focused on the aesthetics of interaction around AI-enabled designs. To achieve this, I learned about the theoretical aspects behind human-AI relationships, role divisions, error boundaries, and mental models (CADA). I learned how AI models have specific aesthetics that can be used as design material, shaping the design's interaction and behavioral characteristics (CADA). An inverse example of this is my M2.1 project, where I investigated the aesthetics of generative AI in the design context and published my findings at CHI2023.

Finally, many of my projects have a data-driven character. For example, I used data from other projects in the squad as design material for enriching and expanding our design (M1.1). I used data types from state-of-the-art IoT systems as design material for building a tool to map users’ mental models (M1.2). Finally, I learned additional practical and theoretical skills to collect and act upon user data in real time, including analysis, finding complementary datatypes, and the data-enabled design method (DED).

[1] Verheijden, M. P., & Funk, M. (2023). Collaborative Diffusion: Boosting Designerly Co-Creation with Generative AI. In Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544549.3585680

Contributions

Creativity and Aesthetics

Video Examples

Contributions

Business and Entrepreneurship

I explored this area mostly through my work at Focality Media. It allowed me to explore many perspectives offered within the faculty’s sandbox by actually conducting them in the real world.

We started in 2019 with a market analysis, iteratively defining a niche, and developing our value proposition. In line with my Vision, Focality mainly focuses on marketing highly complex technological innovations to a broad audience. In other words, bridging the increasing gap between rapid technological developments and potential stakeholders. This was not only fitting for our skillset but also for potential clients in the Brainport area.

Throughout the years, we developed and pivoted our value proposition and business model multiple times based on the changing needs in the market. This meant managing and taking risks surrounding our current value proposition and making financial investments to expand it and offer new services.

This resilient approach resulted in continuous growth since our start in 2019, despite difficulties like the Covid pandemic. The success is evident with many local and international clients and a significant profit. In short, this experience helped me to develop a strategic and entrepreneurial attitude in a real-world environment that I can use to complement my design work within the department.

Finally, I further broadened my knowledge within the department through the DSI course, gaining theoretical knowledge about social design and innovation for societal transformation and transition management.

Contributions

Appendix - Extracurricular Activities