Bram has an engineering degree from the 'Hogeschool van Utrecht' and recently graduated with a Masters in European Media Arts (Interaction Design) from Utrecht School of Arts. Describing himself as a country boy who discovered city life and loves it, he discovered Namahn via the web and decided it was the place for him. In April 2007, he left the Netherlands to join the Namahn team.
I didn't want to become a web designer like most other people on the Masters course. When I stumbled upon Namahn, I immediately liked their story. Namahn is doing what I want to do: focusing on the user. I think this is a design fundamental, whether it's a tap, a door or a software application. It's about the people who use it.
Yes and no. I'm from Limburg in the south of the Netherlands, so moving to Utrecht was already a big cultural change for me. Namahn and Brussels feel closer to my southern roots. In fact I'm nearer home here than I was in Utrecht. I immediately liked the atmosphere when I visited the office: it was warm and welcoming. When I first stepped into Namahn, it was into the library where the whole team was enjoying a goodbye drink for a colleague. Impressive, but nice! So, relocating to Belgium doesn't feel such a big deal. It was in the cards (or on the map.).
Not a secret one! It began in high school-I loved geography-and has led me to several internships at cartographers in both Amsterdam and The Hague. Maps have always fascinated me-the fact that one image tells you so much, in the graphical sense and more. When I look at maps, I dream about the world and where I might go. In the past, wherever I traveled I drew maps of the journey. Not that I have much time for that any more.
Putting my training into practice! During my studies I learnt how we must mind the user, not only visually, but also how things really work. I expect to realise this at Namahn.
Two projects: the first was introducing the Sony AIBO robot dog to older people to gauge their reactions, and how technological tools could be developed for this group. These people may seem techno-phobic, yet what we saw was astonishing: they responded to this highly complex, technological thing like it was a real dog and were not afraid. We also made a board game called "Set Sail to UbiComp". Social interaction was very important. Two people had to be able to play the game, augmented by technology, but without having an idea of the controlling technology: thus the system was set up to maintain the social experience of playing a board game. Basically, the more they sailed and explored, the more the world was revealed to them. Very different from a traditional board game where what you see is what you get.
Designers should always question themselves. They should be ethical and think about the social implications of what they're making. No technology should become over controlling. Technology can provide a base from which to develop, but it should not replace our creativity or undermine our development otherwise we'll get lazy.
I like traveling to see friends, discovering the world, not as a tourist but as an active participant in the life of the place. During my masters I attended two information design summer schools. The one in Turkey was amazing: it was my only vacation that year and I made the definite choice to do this. You have to be motivated to do a summer school! I joined participants from four countries and during those 10 days, we not only had to discover each other, but also our design approaches in a totally new situation. Istanbul is crazy: the city is a mix of cultures and very impressive, there are so many impressions moving towards you.
Music! I sold my racing bike recently to buy an iPod (although my run-around bike came with me to Brussels). I'm always surrounded by music and my current favourite is Ben Folds. I recently went with friends to a concert of his and for hours afterwards, our eyes were twinkling. Great stuff! I'm living in downtown Brussels and I'll be just around the corner from many great music venues. I'm looking forward to a packed concert-going program. Besides this, I love baking midnight cakes.