Entrepreneurship in Design
My fourth key competency is rooted in my entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout my bachelor's degree, I actively pursued courses and hands-on experiences that sharpened my business expertise, closely paralleling my journey in craftsmanship.
Just as I developed my craftsmanship skills through specific courses and projects, I have methodically built my understanding of business strategies (B&E), user and stakeholder needs (U&S), and commercial viability (B&E). I chose to follow the USE line in new product marketing, where I developed a keen ability to analyze user needs, construct and conduct marketing strategies, and evaluate business plans (B&E).
The elective on Stakeholder Perspectives (report) allowed me to tailor business approaches to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders. Understanding the limitations imposed by industries, and unique requirements of users. I explored this through the design of a robot that would alleviate the heavy workload of nurses. To understand the specific workload put on nurses in depth user research had to be conducted with several levels of stakeholder, and through emphasizing with the users (following around nurses during their workday) (U&S).
In the first course of my USE learning line, I developed the attitude and skillset required to function as a startup (B&E). In the subsequent courses this mindset was augmented with fundamental marketing knowledge and practice.
During my Capstone design project with Third Rail Projects, a NYC based theater production company, I navigated the complexities of intellectual property and client expectations. Effective communication with the client was essential to reach conclusions on required functionality of the stage design, while making it clear where our limitations lay (B&E). The end user, the actors, had to be considered for the more technical aspects of the design such as surface finish, mechanical friction, structural rigidity and weight. These aspects were defined through a series of user tests where we had actors interact with our preliminary designs (U&S).
Starting my own company, Ipsum Studio, which sells custom handmade fountain pens, I applied all the business knowledge I had accumulated. I was able to utilize my knowledge of marketing to grow the outreach of my brand (B&E) and had to conduct user research to identify what qualities my target users needed in my fountain pens (U&S). I was able to utilize my communication skills to reach out to larger fountain pen brand who have aided me throughout my process, which has resulted in me having a stand in the Dutch Pen Show (B&E).
I have also been able to apply these competencies in the TU/e contest, and by demonstrating at the Dutch Soft Robotics Symposium.
In summary, my business skills, much like my craftsmanship, are built on a solid foundation of targeted learning and practical application, enabling me to develop strategies and products that effectively meet and exceed market and material expectations.
Board of innovation
Orbit mouse kickstarter for new product marketing
Ipsum Studio Fountain Pens
Me with my stand at the Dutch Pen Show