Professional Identity
& Vision.
LEGO, Games, and Play.
Eight-year-old Zyfn would be proud of me. My LEGO collection has grown larger, my MOC (My Own Creation) skills have improved, and my game libraries now require a bookshelf and a hard drive of their own. With a university application portfolio showcasing original LEGO designs, a future ambition to be part of the Games and Play squad, and a desire to make the world a fun place - LEGO, games, and play is one of the main things that makes me, me.
As a person, I appreciate design that is fun, and enjoyable to use. The world should be a fun place, and I want my identity to showcase that.
Projects.
Cameras.
Whether I’m in front of them, or looking through a viewfinder, I love them. It doesn't matter if it's on a wildlife trip, or completing photography and videography in group projects: I always jump at the opportunity.Technical skills are important for a designer to possess, and I want my skils behind the camera to be one of them.
Additionally, on the other side of the lens, I feel like my confidence, presentation skills, and experience can help me grow as a more well-rounded designer in several ways.
I want a camera around my neck, or a microphone in front of me to be a big part of who I am as a designer. I may struggle significantly with phsyics and art, but I do not want to falter when it comes to a vital pitch.
Projects.
Colorblindness and Inclusivity.
I am colorblind. With strong Deuteranopia in both eyes, it can make even the easiest of tasks near impossible for me. I see the world through a one-of-a-kind lens, and want to leverage it in creative ways that other people might not be able to imagine.
Having also lost use of one of my arms for several months, I have experienced firsthand how the world does not cater to everyone.
As I create an identity for myself, I want to put inclusivity first, and make sure that my creations are accessible and usable by all.
Right now, I do not possess intimate knowledge of the subject, nor do I know how to fix it, but plan to study this subject in greater detail in the coming months and years.
Projects.
Leadership.
Since September 2023, my experience with working in groups has grown multifold. Combined with my experience of organizing events and running clubs in high school, I have found that I enjoy leading a project team. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had to delegate tasks, resolve issues, and get things done on time.
Leadership is a broad topic, and several vastly different people can define themselves as leaders. I emphasise strong teamwork and team building, and open and honest communication between team members. To me, getting work done on time and sticking to deadlines is important to keep a project going at a good pace.
In the future, I want to take my leadership to the next level - possibly in the Honors Academy, or on the board of a TU/e association. as well.
Projects.
Vision.
When people ask me what my vision is as a designer, I think of what I want my designs to include, and how they shape the world around them. I want it to be a clear reflection of who I am as a designer, while focusing on making the world a better place.
My vision as a designer focuses on inclusive design: colorblind friendliness, seamless integration, accessible design, and a world where anyone can be themselves. Learning from experts in the field and interacting with all possible product users, I want to make sure my creations perfectly satisfy the needs of their users.
This ties in well with something else I envision: Fun. I want what I work on to be fun – that may include anything from a good movie to an enjoyable game with friends to simply a mechanism with satisfying auditory feedback. The psychology of design is vital to this aspect of this vision, and is something that I wish to study further in depth in the next few years, and tie in with my work in the Games and Play squad.
Furthermore, as a designer, I want to let myself be inspired by the world around me and what I love. I want to incorporate the values and tenets of what I consider to be great design into my own work – IKEA’s flatpack, LEGO’s universal compatibility and precision, Nothing's design language, and Dyson’s quality and engineering, to name a few.
Bringing this vision to life is not an easy task. It will take time, effort, knowledge, and motivation. But to me, making impactful change in the world is worth it. To know more about how I plan to set these wheels in motion, check out my Future & Goals. Through a combination of university electives, extracurriculars, and determination, I plan to slowly bring this vision to life.
