Few facts about the curator
How did you end up becoming a designer?
After my voluntary year in the field of culture, I started studying the Internet of Things for a Bachelor of Engineering. But, seeing the value and outcome of what I work on was always important to me, and learning just by writing it down on a piece of paper was never motivating for me. So, I switched to the university to study IoT as a bridging methodology between humans, technology, and business, with design being the catalyzing tool. Being a designer for me doesn’t necessarily mean doing classic design tasks or having a specific job title, but rather having the mindset to collaboratively create things the right way for humans, the planet, and business.
What is something you feel truly grateful for when looking back on your career?
Ever since I started work as a working student, as an intern, consultant, or designer later, I was always super lucky with the teams I joined, the supervisor and the team leads I got to work with. Having great support in daily work and encouragement to grow outside my role is what really made the difference in having such a great time with the people. It let me grow as a person rapidly and also resulted in successful projects by combining the best out of the different worlds – like Agility with Design.
One thing you would recommend all designers to try out.
Leave designers aside and talk to developers, agile coaches, product managers, business people, or anyone you meet outside your regular daily (work) bubble. Getting out of your comfort zone and getting to know different perspectives from time to time – even when it doesn't seem immediately super beneficial for you, is important. I cycle up the mountains for a week during the summer. It always refreshes my brain, and how I see things, and provides a lot of energy.
A recent learning during your career.
It’s not about being the one putting the most brain, work, or time in. Rather, about being smart and on point with the energy and time I have. This also means taking longer (lunch) breaks or going grocery shopping in-between if I make no progress. Always have time for the humans around, including colleagues I otherwise wouldn’t interact with on a project-basis currently, as it’s the people who remember us. Not so much our delivered outcome.