Hey, I’m Max.
Born in the Netherlands, on a working holiday visa in New Zealand.
Latest blog articles
August 11, 2025
The widespread trust in AI chatbots as all-knowing oracles is a dangerous misunderstanding of what they actually are. Large Language Models are sophisticated pattern-matching tools, not truth machines, a critical distinction defining how we should use them.
July 23, 2025
The tech industry's rush to cram AI into every product is making software worse and more expensive, forcing users to pay for features they don't want or need. From AI buttons on mice to mandatory chatbots in browsers, these integrations prioritize revenue extraction over user experience. Good software should respect users' time and intelligence, not exploit them through forced feature bloat.
July 20, 2025
Apple's new Liquid Glass design system prioritizes aesthetics over usability, creating beautiful but hard-to-read interfaces that repeat the same mistakes as touchscreen car dashboards.
Case studies
About me
Summary
I’m interested
Focused on solving complex user problems through methodical research and user-centered design. Known for direct communication and transforming requirements into elegant solutions that deliver measurable impact.
I grew up in Assen, tinkering with computers, which led me to study Creative Technology and later earn a Master's in Human-Machine Communication. My professional journey began at Label305, deepened at Embrace – The Human Cloud, and now includes teaching design workshops at universities across the Netherlands. When I'm not designing, you'll find me creating videos, riding motorcycles, or exploring music.
Work
2021 — Now
Senior Product Designer
Embrace - The Human Cloud, The Netherlands
2015 — 2020
UX Designer
Label305, The Netherlands
2009 — Now
Freelance Designer
Design Studio Max, Remote
Speaking
2023 — Now
Workshop facilitation “Design Sprint”
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
2023
Guest lecture “Accessible by design”
NHL Stenden, The Netherlands
Education
2019 — 2021
MSc Human-Machine Communication
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
2014 — 2019
BSc Creative Technology
University of Twente, The Netherlands
Fun stuff
August 11, 2025
A subtle yet beautiful dark mode toggle animation I enjoyed making for my previous portfolio.
Job opportunity? Want me to write about a topic? Something interesting to share? Just let me know.
Hey, I’m Max.
Born in the Netherlands, on a working holiday visa in New Zealand.
Latest blog articles
August 11, 2025
The widespread trust in AI chatbots as all-knowing oracles is a dangerous misunderstanding of what they actually are. Large Language Models are sophisticated pattern-matching tools, not truth machines, a critical distinction defining how we should use them.
July 23, 2025
The tech industry's rush to cram AI into every product is making software worse and more expensive, forcing users to pay for features they don't want or need. From AI buttons on mice to mandatory chatbots in browsers, these integrations prioritize revenue extraction over user experience. Good software should respect users' time and intelligence, not exploit them through forced feature bloat.
July 20, 2025
Apple's new Liquid Glass design system prioritizes aesthetics over usability, creating beautiful but hard-to-read interfaces that repeat the same mistakes as touchscreen car dashboards.
Case studies
About me
Summary
I’m interested
Focused on solving complex user problems through methodical research and user-centered design. Known for direct communication and transforming requirements into elegant solutions that deliver measurable impact.
I grew up in Assen, tinkering with computers, which led me to study Creative Technology and later earn a Master's in Human-Machine Communication. My professional journey began at Label305, deepened at Embrace – The Human Cloud, and now includes teaching design workshops at universities across the Netherlands. When I'm not designing, you'll find me creating videos, riding motorcycles, or exploring music.
Work
2021 — Now
Senior Product Designer
Embrace - The Human Cloud, The Netherlands
2015 — 2020
UX Designer
Label305, The Netherlands
2009 — Now
Freelance Designer
Design Studio Max, Remote
Speaking
2023 — Now
Workshop facilitation “Design Sprint”
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
2023
Guest lecture “Accessible by design”
NHL Stenden, The Netherlands
Education
2019 — 2021
MSc Human-Machine Communication
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
2014 — 2019
BSc Creative Technology
University of Twente, The Netherlands
Fun stuff
August 11, 2025
A subtle yet beautiful dark mode toggle animation I enjoyed making for my previous portfolio.
Job opportunity? Want me to write about a topic? Something interesting to share? Just let me know.
Hey, I’m Max.
Born in the Netherlands, on a working holiday visa in New Zealand.
Latest blog articles
August 11, 2025
The widespread trust in AI chatbots as all-knowing oracles is a dangerous misunderstanding of what they actually are. Large Language Models are sophisticated pattern-matching tools, not truth machines, a critical distinction defining how we should use them.
July 23, 2025
The tech industry's rush to cram AI into every product is making software worse and more expensive, forcing users to pay for features they don't want or need. From AI buttons on mice to mandatory chatbots in browsers, these integrations prioritize revenue extraction over user experience. Good software should respect users' time and intelligence, not exploit them through forced feature bloat.
July 20, 2025
Apple's new Liquid Glass design system prioritizes aesthetics over usability, creating beautiful but hard-to-read interfaces that repeat the same mistakes as touchscreen car dashboards.
Case studies
Building for the future:
Scalable navigationEmbrace
The Design Quartet: Educational cards that students actually use
Embrace, University of Groningen
Ideation workshop:
Bridging theory and practiceEmbrace, University of Groningen
THX app: Reinventing the onboarding experience
MeMo2, Kantar
Revamping search:
Making migration worth itEmbrace
A refreshing rowing experience: WaterRower Connect App
WaterRower
About me
Summary
I’m interested
Focused on solving complex user problems through methodical research and user-centered design. Known for direct communication and transforming requirements into elegant solutions that deliver measurable impact.
I grew up in Assen, tinkering with computers, which led me to study Creative Technology and later earn a Master's in Human-Machine Communication. My professional journey began at Label305, deepened at Embrace – The Human Cloud, and now includes teaching design workshops at universities across the Netherlands. When I'm not designing, you'll find me creating videos, riding motorcycles, or exploring music.
Work
2021 — Now
Senior Product Designer
Embrace - The Human Cloud, The Netherlands
2015 — 2020
UX Designer
Label305, The Netherlands
2009 — Now
Freelance Designer
Design Studio Max, Remote
Speaking
2023 — Now
Workshop facilitation “Design Sprint”
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
2023
Guest lecture “Accessible by design”
NHL Stenden, The Netherlands
Education
2019 — 2021
MSc Human-Machine Communication
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
2014 — 2019
BSc Creative Technology
University of Twente, The Netherlands
Fun stuff
August 11, 2025
A subtle yet beautiful dark mode toggle animation I enjoyed making for my previous portfolio.
Job opportunity? Want me to write about a topic? Something interesting to share? Just let me know.