Working • Daniël van der Winden

A Product Designer at heart, during my time at BB, I worked on many digital products for a variety of organisations—from small startups to well-established companies. My contribution as a Product Designer was holistic, comfortable seeing a product through from start to finish. From defining its strategy to crafting prototypes, and from testing assumptions with users to the eventual launch—I've guided many clients, through many kinds of processes. I sweat the details, but make sure everyone understands the bigger picture.

Over the nine years I've been with BB, I've shape-shifted a lot and learned a tremendous amount. Aside from designing digital products, I've organised events and designed office spaces. I've hired people, built culture, and have familiarised myself with the ins and outs of leading teams and running a company.

A Product Designer at heart, during my time at BB, I worked on many digital products for a variety of organisations—from small startups to well-established companies. My contribution as a Product Designer was holistic, comfortable seeing a product through from start to finish. From defining its strategy to crafting prototypes, and from testing assumptions with users to the eventual launch—I've guided many clients, through many kinds of processes. I sweat the details, but make sure everyone understands the bigger picture.

Over the nine years I've been with BB, I've shape-shifted a lot and learned a tremendous amount. Aside from designing digital products, I've organised events and designed office spaces. I've hired people, built culture, and have familiarised myself with the ins and outs of leading teams and running a company.

Designing products for the many

For Wake, a much-loved tool for sharing in-progress design work, I designed an Apple TV app (a novelty at the time), as well as what would become the final version of their marketing website.

In 2018, I led the design of the first version of Coinbase's Custody platform, working with a small team of their people towards an MVP before they scaled up rapidly. I also helped design Toshi for iOS and Android, which later became the Coinbase Wallet app.

Through SPACE10, I've been fortunate enough to collaborate with IKEA on two large projects—leading our product design efforts on one, and contributing with copywriting to the other. The former has spun out into what is now known as NORNORM; the latter is known as Studio. Both have taught me a lot about designing for the many.

Designing products for the many

For Wake, a much-loved tool for sharing in-progress design work, I designed an Apple TV app (a novelty at the time), as well as what would become the final version of their marketing website.

In 2018, I led the design of the first version of Coinbase's Custody platform, working with a small team of their people towards an MVP before they scaled up rapidly. I also helped design Toshi for iOS and Android, which later became the Coinbase Wallet app.

Through SPACE10, I've been fortunate enough to collaborate with IKEA on two large projects—leading our product design efforts on one, and contributing with copywriting to the other. The former has spun out into what is now known as NORNORM; the latter is known as Studio. Both have taught me a lot about designing for the many.

I played a key role in the early stages of På(fyll), a circular service that helps reduce the use of single-use plastic, and contributed with product design & strategy to help establish a joint venture between three companies—Orkla, Æra and Bakken & Bæck.

While working with Pexip I led the design of their new web, iOS and Android apps, and designed Pexip Room, allowing people to join Pexip meetings using Logitech hardware. An exciting challenge: building on existing hardware, using Google's Material Design system, while creating a tool that felt familiar to Pexip's large, existing user base. You can read a case study here.

For AutoStore, I recently led our efforts in creating a design tool used by its internal team of designers, which may make its first public appearance later this year.

I played a key role in the early stages of På(fyll), a circular service that helps reduce the use of single-use plastic, and contributed with product design & strategy to help establish a joint venture between three companies—Orkla, Æra and Bakken & Bæck.

While working with Pexip I led the design of their new web, iOS and Android apps, and designed Pexip Room, allowing people to join Pexip meetings using Logitech hardware. An exciting challenge: building on existing hardware, using Google's Material Design system, while creating a tool that felt familiar to Pexip's large, existing user base. You can read a case study here.

For AutoStore, I recently led our efforts in creating a design tool used by its internal team of designers, which may make its first public appearance later this year.

Establishing a local presence

When I joined Bakken & Bæck, I was tasked with starting an Amsterdam office and gaining a local foothold. Since then, I've dealt with everything that comes with running a company.

I've hired designers, engineers, writers, and more, building a multi-disciplinary team of up to 20 people. Honing my own approach to people management I've mentored designers and other team members. Helping the company take root within the country, I am partially responsible for how we're perceived here: by the design community, and by our potential customers.

I was involved in the design of two modern office spaces to accommodate a growing team and a shift in the world of work, overseeing them from concept to completion. I've helped organise our one-day conference An Interesting Day in 2018, an event that is (still) much-talked-about.

Establishing a local presence

When I joined Bakken & Bæck, I was tasked with starting an Amsterdam office and gaining a local foothold. Since then, I've dealt with everything that comes with running a company.

I've hired designers, engineers, writers, and more, building a multi-disciplinary team of up to 20 people. Honing my own approach to people management I've mentored designers and other team members. Helping the company take root within the country, I am partially responsible for how we're perceived here: by the design community, and by our potential customers.

I was involved in the design of two modern office spaces to accommodate a growing team and a shift in the world of work, overseeing them from concept to completion. I've helped organise our one-day conference An Interesting Day in 2018, an event that is (still) much-talked-about.

An Interesting Day (2018)

Building a world-class Product Design company

Near the end of my tenure, my focus was primarily on our company's Product Design team and work. It was my responsibility to make sure we build the best team, land great projects, and deliver world-class work in collaboration with the other disciplines under our roof. Our team at the time consisted of 13 excellent Product Designers.

In my role as Partner, I took part in conversations about the general direction and strategy of the business. In doing so, I've always found myself interested in a few things—topics that keep circling around in my head as I go about my days.

Building a world-class Product Design company

Near the end of my tenure, my focus was primarily on our company's Product Design team and work. It was my responsibility to make sure we build the best team, land great projects, and deliver world-class work in collaboration with the other disciplines under our roof. Our team at the time consisted of 13 excellent Product Designers.

In my role as Partner, I took part in conversations about the general direction and strategy of the business. In doing so, I've always found myself interested in a few things—topics that keep circling around in my head as I go about my days.

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If any of these things struck a chord, I'd be happy to start a conversation.

I often jump on calls with likeminded people to talk about what I've done in the past, or hear them out about what I could be doing (differently). I've not much done so before, but I am open to speaking engagements as well.

You can best reach me via email or Twitter.

If any of these things struck a chord, I'd be happy to start a conversation.

I often jump on calls with likeminded people to talk about what I've done in the past, or hear them out about what I could be doing (differently). I've not much done so before, but I am open to speaking engagements as well.

You can best reach me via email or Twitter.