The newest and youngest member of Namahn joined in July 2007. She had just completed a Masters in Integral Product Development at the College of Antwerp, and was envisaging a long holiday before starting to write job application letters, when instead, she landed the job of her dreams before the ink on her Degree had dried.
I didn't know that companies like Namahn even existed. It was my industry coach at college who knew about Namahn and knew they were recruiting. He thought I fitted the profile they were looking for and vice-versa, that Namahn could fit me.
Yes, for various reasons. The first is what Namahn does: user-centered design. Naturally my degree covered all aspects of product design: technical, economic and the human side. I discovered I'm most interested in the users. For example, in my final year, I chose to design a mobile phone for the visually impaired precisely because I didn't know this target group well. It was a fascinating experience: I tested the design with them at every stage and I found this aspect really stimulating and enjoyable. Secondly, at Namahn they work as a team and I'm a team player, through and through.
My first impression was of youth, vitality and things happening. There's nothing static about Namahn. It seemed too good to be true: user-centered design on a wide variety of projects across many sectors: my dream job! I want to be involved in work that is useful, that results in something. I like Namahn because we function as consultants and help all sorts of companies to improve. This is giving me a much broader view on life. Namahn also fits my personal attitude: open, hardworking, committed. Because of the open management style, I already know what to expect in the next couple of years. I like this.
I admit I was nervous at the first interview because my mind was still on university and suddenly I had to switch to thinking about the world of work. But I got into my stride once I'd passed that hurdle and had to make a presentation to all the consultants. Ten minutes after the presentation, they offered me the job!
We did learn methodologies to cope with problems around developing products, material or in the case of Namahn, digital and I find echoes of these in the methodologies Namahn uses. Our course was very practical: we had to take initiative, find information ourselves, to be self-sufficient and proactive. This is certainly useful. However, now I'm learning about business, how to communicate with companies, how to sell and manage projects which is a whole different story!
Volleyball (twice weekly training and weekly match) plus seeing friends and going out in Antwerp where I live with my fellow product designer boyfriend! I like to read, thrillers for relaxation, and I've already used the Namahn library a lot. There are so many fascinating books here covering every area that interests me at work.
I'm stubborn in a good way: when I want something, I'll really go for it!