My identity

Vision, professional identity,
and future plans

My vision as a designer

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, I envision interfaces becoming bridges that empower users to unlock the full potential of machines and devices. These interfaces will morph into intuitive extensions of the human mind, prioritizing user-centered design principles like adaptability and clear communication to ensure a smooth and enjoyable learning curve.

This user-centric philosophy directly translates to the rapidly transforming world of car interiors. Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) are not just control panels anymore, becoming ever more complex with car manufactures pushing for as much features as they can. However, the future of HMIs in cars goes beyond touchscreens. It’s about creating interfaces that seamlessly integrate with the driving experience, offering intuitive and user-friendly interactions that go beyond traditional controls. My internship at The Landrovers served as a catalyst, solidifying my passion for this particular part of interface design.

I imagine a future where HMIs become customizable canvases. Users can leverage intuitive tools to personalize their driving environment, tailoring displays, functionalities, and even in-car entertainment to their specific needs and desires. As autonomous vehicles become a reality, HMIs will transition from control panels to collaborative companions that empower users to maintain a sense of control. This might involve delegating tasks to the car while still offering the user the ability to intervene and personalize the journey.

My passion lies in crafting interfaces that transcend function and engagement.  These interfaces will be deeply integrated with the user to empower them to unlock what they want to create with the machine or device’s being the tool to be able to do that, reflecting its unique environment and allowing the specific needs of the user. However, functionality is just one piece of the puzzle. I believe these interfaces must also be the essence of what they represent. This means incorporating design elements that resonate with the brand or user identity, creating a seamless experience. By understanding user needs, embracing emerging technologies, and collaborating with industry experts, I aim to shape the future of human-machine interaction. This vision, continuously evolving through experience and learning, will drive me to create interfaces that empower users, elevate the interaction between humans and machines. It will allow me to design interfaces that are both intuitive, exhilarating, and allows for an intuitive connection between user and technology.

Vision

Identity

My professional identity

My journey as a designer is driven by a curiosity and a passion for exploring the interaction between technology and human interaction. My fascination with Human Machine Interfaces and design tools to explore this with prototypes form my professional identity, inspiring me to create designs that are both innovative and user centric.

I am proficient in a variety of design tools, including Blender and Fusion 360, which I craft detailed models in Fusion 360 and render them in Blender with a focus on achieving photorealistic outcomes. Then renders serve as tool to check the aesthetics and the model as a building guide for the prototype. As a designer I am constantly looking to incorporate new innovative tools into my workflow such as resin printing and 3D scanning which I learned to use at my internship. I am always exploring new software like Figma with Arduino integration to enhance my design capabilities. These tools are essential for visualizing and rapid prototyping my ideas, allowing me to test and refine user experiences effectively. My design process is iterative and flexible, beginning with initial sketches and advancing through digital modelling to physical prototypes. This approach is a cycle, which ensures comprehensive exploration and refinement of ideas. In this design workflow, I recognize the need to enhance my sketching and woodworking skills to improve the early stage of ideation and the final stages of refinement.

During my Final Bachelor Project (FBP), I delved into the realm of data-enabled design, addressing the challenge of making digital location history data more tangible and interactive. I transformed intangible data into an interactive artifact, allowing users to engage with their personal data in a tangible way. This process highlighted the potential of alternative forms of personal data to help people explore their lives from different perspectives. By materializing passively collected personal data, I enabled users to interact with it, facilitating a deeper and more meaningful engagement with personal data. This project reinforced my belief in the power data enabled design to make the intangible interactive.

My primary interests are in the area of human machine interfaces, where I want to use my professional skills to tackle upcoming challenges in the automotive industry. I want to design innovative, intuitive, and adaptive Human-Machine Interfaces for car interiors that enhance user experience, prioritize safety, and seamlessly integrate with the driving environment, reflecting the future of autonomous and connected vehicles.

Collaboration is integral, and I thrive in likeminded teams, appreciating the diverse perspectives and expertise each member brings. This brings out the best in me, being able to work along professionals that can give you quick advise or you can give advice to. This allows you to learn constantly and develop your design mindset and skills. The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and work collaboratively towards common goals is something that I am constantly learning and developing. Nonetheless, I am committed to improving these skills.

Looking ahead, I aspire to evolve into a designer who seamlessly integrates emerging technology, design, and user experience to create products that exceed user expectations. I am committed to constantly learning and adopting new design tools and techniques. This ongoing exploration ensures that I remain at the forefront of technological advancements to use in my design process.

Future

Image from: https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/masters/cosem/msc-complex-systems-engineering-and-management/studying-at-tu-delft

My next steps

My design journey continues with a master’s in Integrated Product Design at Delft University of Technology. This program perfectly aligns with my desire to bridge design and engineering. Here, I want to dig deeper into human-machine interface (HMI) design, a field I’m particularly passionate about.  I’m eager to master design and engineering methods, tools, and technologies to effectively shape my product design skills.  Furthermore, I’ll hone my technical prototyping skills, transforming creative ideas into tangible realities.

To broaden my perspective and gain real-world experience, I would like to pursue a minor abroad during my Master’s. Working with a leading automotive company like Porsche/Volvo, or one of the new upcoming electric car brands like Polestar/Lotus/Rivian is a dream, allowing me to contribute to the future of mobility design. Alternatively, a minor at a university that offers courses in automotive design like in Gothenburg, Oulu, or Turin would be equally interesting.

Eventually, when I finish my master, I would like to work at a small automotive company like The Landrovers. Transforming cars into custom projects. But first Delft!

Direct contact? E-mail Geert via:

g.g.hansma@student.tue.nl

Geert Hansma

g.g.hansma@student.tue.nl

contact

BSc. Industrial Design

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