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2020-current
nebenan.de
Social neighbourhood platform with 2M+ users in 4 countries Lead Designer, responsible for both product and communications design
Sincere—Studio
Helping startups design and build the web of tomorrow — design strategy, product design, communications design
2017-2020
ldaniel.eu
Independent ‘full stack’ designer — UX, UI, visual, interaction, frontend; working w startups/private clients/agencies
2015-current
Muhit (co-founder)
non-profit platform for urban improvement, design, product & business development
2014-current
Paraşüt
Pre-accounting for SME’s web application; graphic & web designer, UI/ UX design, front-end (html/css)
2012-2015
Oefenweb.nl
e-learning gaming applications; lead graphic & web designer, UI/ UX design, front-end (html/css), gamification
2008-2016
freelance graphic & web designer, branding & identity, front-end design, visualisations
2011-2012
Güller Güller architecture urbanism
architecture & urban design
2007-2011
Delft University of Technology
student assistant education, tutoring & book research
2007
Paul de Ruiter Architects
architectural design internship
2015
Graphic Design Summer School
Central Saint Martin’s –University of the Arts London
2014
Gamification Certificate
Online course by University of Pennsylvania
Dual Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urbanism
Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft graduation project ‘I solemnly pledge to public space’
2008
Study Abroad - Architecture
South Bank University, London, UK
2004-2007
Bachelor’s Degree
Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft
1998-2004
VWO diploma (gymnasium)
Vossius Gymnasium, Amsterdam
name
L Daniel Swakman
date of birth
6 October 1986
place of birth
Amsterdam, NL
location
Berlin, DE
nationality
Dutch
English 🇬🇧
fluent
Dutch 🇳🇱
fluent, native
Turkish 🇹🇷
good
German 🇩🇪
French 🇫🇷
acceptable
visual
Sketch, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, Premiere, Fireworks, Invision, Framer.js
code
HTML(5), CSS(3), LESS/SASS, Javascript/ jQuery, gulp, PHP, Flash/Actionscript, Git
product
design thinking, brainstorming, brand strategy, product management
3D
Rhino, Maya, 3Ds Max, Sketchup, Pepakura, Vray, mental ray
CAD
AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit (basic), Vectorworks (basic)
design
Digital design as a responsive, context-sensitive solution that suits user's needs.
The main passion in my work lies in the visual and graphic design; I deeply care about how aspects like layout, legibility, colours, typography and contrast work together to form a well designed environment, whether that’s in a virtual 3D environment, a voice operated interface, a web game on a 10” tablet or in print. The fluency with creative software as well as front-end programming languages (html, css, javascript) helps me to indeed realise this consistency of design.
visual vs code
Code is the grain and material of the web & app world
I believe that working in digital design means an inherent link between visual/interaction design and the code that makes this happen — much like a carpenter's knowledge & control of wood type and behaviour. Design < > code
responsive
Orchestration of dynamic elements
Designing for the web and mobile apps can no longer be seen as an exercise on a fixed canvas where one lays out objects. Instead, it is an orchestration of dynamic elements, that can have different states & behaviours. Responsive design is a key tool in this orchestration — I've never designed a project without it.
architectural vs graphic
Shaping the world we experience & interact with
I believe the values and considerations that are concerned with visual design are just as present in architecture: colour, proportions, materials, tactility, usability, and the continuous process of revision in search for true quality.
other
Keep exploring
Outside of this design spectrum I occupy myself with social innovation, infographics & visualisation, travelling, coffee and making music.
coffee
Double espresso
code editor
Sublime Text 3
workspace
remote / coworking spaces
design tool
pencil > sketch > css
backpack
Minaal
Typeface combination
HK Grotesk / Merriweather
(for now, at least)