IDENTITY
I am centred. I have interests spread across a wide field. Through exploring new ideas, approaches, theories and thought processes I like to look at a process from different perspectives. The strength here is that I am interested in and have knowledge in different fields. I am thereby able to communicate between different expertises, which wouldn’t be able to communicate to each other directly since they don’t understand the opposite's approach.
I am altruistic. Others always come first, no matter the situation. Through listening and observing I find opportunities that could help the other. This skill can be used effectively to listen carefully to the demands and wishes of stakeholders and users.
I am perfectionistic. I strive for the highest possible outcome and am not easily satisfied with results.
I am structured. I know what I have to do and keep my work organised. Within a design team I make sure that every element of a meeting is prepared and executed.
Vision
Throughout the years sustainability has become more and more important. Green energy sources, decarbonisation and efficiency in energy usage are relevant topics which we should encounter. The earth is being tested and this will have to change if humanity wants to survive. The main limiting factor here is simply getting everyone on board to create momentum and actually get to this change. There are, for example, various ways to reduce energy usage or to improve recycling in the various cycles, but they are simply not used by the public.
A strong potential that could lead to this progressive mindset and thus have a societal impact can be found within games. Games focus on creating immersive experiences in which the player gets to explore topics on a personal level and is thereby more emotionally connected to issues which they then wish to solve.
Therefore I want to focus on the social implementation of new solutions through immersive playful experiences that lead to these strong meaning-making processes within the individual. The participant is triggered to learn, self-improve and change habits through a fun and playful manner.
Future
My studies have come to an end and therefore it is time to take the next step towards making an impact through finding a job that suits me. From here, with the knowledge that I gathered and the background that I built, I see myself developing in two directions: creating games with a stronger societal impact or building towards a gasfree Netherlands through the energytransition.
Throughout my studies 'gamification' and thereby learning through playing has been a constant theme and interest. This accumulated in my master thesis in which I investigated what serious games can learn from successful commercial games. This was rather insightful and I am very excited to further seek, highlight, and apply the potential within (serious) game design.
On the other hand is the large societal topic, energy transition. With the national goal of becoming gasfree in 2050, the Netherlands is facing a large societal challenge, but a challenge with movement and a lot of positive energy. Working towards this goal and streamlining this energy to take large leaps towards a more sustainable world is also a path I am interested to persue.
