Hey, I’m Max.

Product Designer.

Born in the Netherlands, on a working holiday visa in New Zealand. Available for job opportunities.

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.

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

Job opportunity? Want me to write about a topic? Something interesting to share? Just let me know.

Hey, I’m Max.

Product Designer.

Born in the Netherlands, on a working holiday visa in New Zealand. Available for job opportunities.

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.

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

Job opportunity? Want me to write about a topic? Something interesting to share? Just let me know.