© Twycer / www.twycer.nl

I am Niek Rutten, an Eindhoven based experience designer. I am fascinated by the complex ways in which we perceive and interact with the world and how technology can enrich the human experience. I see experience as an emergent phenomenon between a design and the humans interacting with it, not something to be designed but to be designed for. Therefore, I believe learning from your own and other’s experience, collaborating with experts and colleagues and respecting the agency of users are all instrumental to creating designs from which rich experiences can blossom.

C

V I T A E

EDUCATION

University: Master Industrial Design TU/e

Graduated from the Industrial Design Master program at the Eindhoven University of Technology. 2021-2024

University: Bachelor Industrial Design TU/e

Graduated from the bachelor Industrial Design at the Eindhoven University of Technology. 2017-2021

High School: Gymnasium (Cum Laude)

Combined Nature and Technology/Nature and health profile. Graduated Cum Laude. 2011-2017
work history

Freelancer

Active as as a freelance spoken word artist, (theater) technician and designer. 2021-NOW

UX designer for the department of ID (TU/e)

Working as a student assistant UX designer for new education tools for the department of Industrial Design at the TU/e. 2023

CO-founder of De Fabel Fabriek

Co-founded Eindhoven based Experience Design company De Fabel Fabriek. 2019-NOW

Technical Student Assistant SG Eindhoven

Providing technical support during lectures, plays and other performances. 2019-2020
extra-curricular

Chairman/Head of PR Luna Festival 2020

The Luna Festival is a free culture festival held on the TU/e campus. I was the chairman and head of PR of the 2020 edition. Additionally I designed all promo material.

Commisioner of Performances at ESTV Doppio

I was responsible for all logistics related to performances as part of the board of Student Theater Association Doppio. 2018-2019

Actor and Lighting/Sound technician

Playing as an actor and providing lighting and sound for plays at Student Theater Association Doppio. 2017-NOW
Skills

Design and Research Process

I am adept in running through iterative design (research) processes.

Graphic Design

I have experience in designing for a wide array of graphical mediums in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop, from posters to merchandise.

Prototyping

I am confident in applying several different prototyping techniques, from digital and low-fi prototypes to high fidelity interactive prototypes.

Lighting Design

I am specialized in lighting due to my background as a theater light technician, several projects on the subject and through acquiring the Certificate Engineering Intelligent Lighting at the TU/e.

P O R T F O L I O

PHOTON

ONDERSTROOM

LANtern

GRAPHIC DESIGN

LIDAR

PUBLICATIONS

LUNA BACKDROP

LIGHTSKETCHING

PATHWAY

T E S T I M O N I A L S

Niek has been an excellent student, in a few aspects the best whom I've worked with in my studio. He posseses a rare combination of high theoretical insight and very practical skills. Niek is fluent with hardware and software. He knows how to find the right tool for the right job and quickly makes it his own. I always learn something new from working on projects with Niek.
However, it does not suffice to reduce Niek to his technical abilities. He also has love and feeling for art and culture, and with his background he has a lot to contribute to that field. He is an independant and dedicated worker and when he accepts an assignment you can count on it turning out well.

Philip Ross - Light Designer & Artist

It seems Niek can master anything you throw at him. He is creative, proactive and skillful, both physically and digitally. In addition, he is very pleasant to work with; social, funny and honest. A real addition to our team!

Karlijn Vlug - Founder & Director ENSŌ Physical Theater