Personal Leadership
Professional growth and development through self-directed learning
Personal Feedpulse
Personal development feedback and reflection on individual growth, learning objectives, and self-assessment throughout the semester.
Branding Feedpulse
Branding project feedback focusing on visual identity development, brand strategy, and creative design solutions.
UX Feedpulse
User Experience project feedback focusing on design thinking, user research, prototyping, and iterative design processes.
Development Feedpulse
Development project feedback covering technical implementation, coding practices, and front-end development skills progression.
Document Viewer
Professional Growth & Networking
Career Development Events
Career Day Experience
I dedicated significant time and attention to making informed decisions about my future academic path. I attended informative online sessions and participated in Career Day to gain insights into what would suit me best.
Attending the Fontys ICT Career Day, where I engaged with various Media & Design companies to explore future career paths
Career Day was most valuable: I spoke with every company focusing on Media & Design. It was an educational day that gave me a clear picture of what to expect within the ICT & Media field. Through these conversations, I gained practical insights into the industry and potential career paths that align with my interests.
Industry Insights
The branding agency resonated with me the most. I find conducting research and using various tools to create visual identity very interesting. This led me to consider that Open Learning might be a good fit for me, as I can determine my own learning objectives there. While I enjoy front-end development and love creating websites, I see it more as a hobby than something I want to build my career on.
Alumni Networking
During Career Day, I also asked various companies about their connection to Open Learning and whether they could tell me more about it. I spoke with alumni who shared their experiences from their time in Open Learning. I found their stories very inspiring and motivating.
Portfolio Review Growth
First Portfolio Review
During the first portfolio review, I was allowed to participate online as an exception because I had conducted myself professionally in the branding project and was often present. I wanted to prevent it from being an exception again, so I made an effort to be present every day. Sometimes I was a bit late, but I always let my teachers know via Teams.
Second Portfolio Review & Improvement
During the second portfolio review, I still hadn't shown enough, particularly in the area of development challenges and projects. The Figma prototype was missing from my documentation. This was because we had divided tasks within the Create-That-UX project: Noortje and I focused mainly on research, interviews, and user journey.
For the development project, Noortje and I incorporated Carolina's feedback and developed a new concept based on it, including a Figma prototype and website. I've now also included several user tests in my portfolio and added various projects, though it's not yet complete.
Third Portfolio Review - Progress Recognition
The third portfolio review went overall well, with no comments that I was missing any learning outcomes. However, I received several key points for improvement:
Feedback I Received:
- Portfolio Organization: My portfolio appeared disorganized because it wasn't yet complete, making it difficult for reviewers to navigate
- Documentation Clarity: My documentation felt like a puzzle to piece together, lacking clear connections between projects and learning outcomes
- Evidence Presentation: While I had completed the work, everything remained at beginner level assessment because I hadn't properly showcased the evidence in my portfolio structure
This feedback made me realize the importance of not just completing quality work, but also presenting it in a clear, organized manner that demonstrates my growth and competency progression. I learned that the challenge isn't just doing the work, but translating completed projects into portfolio evidence that effectively communicates my learning achievements.
Specialization Choices & Focus Areas
Branding & Content Strategy Focus
Project Selection Rationale
Why did I choose branding and content strategy for Project X? The Boris project appealed to me most because it involved creating a digital identity for an emerging artist. I found it an enjoyable and challenging assignment to discover his style and translate it visually and content-wise. My team members helped me well with this, making the process even more educational.
Future Learning Objectives
Branding and content strategy align well with my interests and skills. Since this will also be my main learning objective within Open Learning (if possible), I want to delve deeper into this area. I want to learn how to build strong, recognizable brands and how to create concrete and effective content plans for them. In the long term, I also want to help others develop their brand identity and online presence.
Research-Driven Approach
The research aspect of branding fits well with my personality. I'm eager to learn and want to understand why things work the way they do. Questions like "What do people find interesting on social media in 2025?" and "Which trends are effective?" motivate me to look beyond just the creative aspect. I also find it interesting how psychology plays a role in this, and how proven methods and tests contribute to successful strategies.
VTuber Concept Strategy focus
Strategic Innovation Choice
I chose a VTuber concept because it perfectly aligns with today's digital world. VTubers are becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger target groups, and offer a unique way to position a brand or artist without needing to attach a real face to it.
Strategic advantages:
- Accessibility & Anonymity: Creative solution where focus lies on content and character
- Creative Freedom: Develop unique visual style and personality independent of physical limitations
- Trend Analysis: Virtual entertainment is expanding from Asia to Western markets
- Technological Innovation: Combines animation, motion capture, and AI technologies
- Strong Brand Identity: Consistent character easily brandable across multiple platforms
- Future-Proof: Aligned with metaverse and virtual interaction trends
Core Values & Personal Brand
Personal Values Framework
Personal Values
- ✦ Reliability
- ✦ Flexibility
- ✦ Optimism
- ✦ Respect
Professional Traits
- ✦ Calmness
- ✦ Loyalty
- ✦ Eagerness to Learn
- ✦ Analytical Thinking
Peer & Instructor Feedback
How Others See Me
Feedback from peers and instructors consistently highlights these qualities:
- Respectful in all interactions
- Flexible in approach and collaboration
- Present and engaged in activities
- Open to feedback and new ideas
- Strong collaborative skills
- Transparent communication style
My Personal Brand
Based on my values and external feedback, my personal brand centers around:
Optimistic • Respectful • Transparent • Flexible
Self-Reflection & Growth
Continuous Improvement
Regular reflection has become a key part of my development process. By analyzing my work, receiving feedback, and adapting my approach, I've developed a more mature and strategic approach to learning and professional development.
Building Connections & Creating Memories
Enjoying the Fontys IT Festival with fellow students. A great opportunity for networking and building relationships in a fun environment
Creating lasting memories with fellow students and also playing games with them.
All Learning Outcomes - Reflections
LO1: Interactive Media Products
Prototype Development & User Testing
Through developing interactive media products, I've gained valuable experience in creating functional prototypes that can be tested with real users. The Cardan project was particularly valuable for understanding how users interact with complex interfaces.
Key Skills Developed
- Creating interactive prototypes with functional elements
- Conducting structured user testing sessions
- Iterating prototypes based on user feedback
- Documenting testing processes and results
LO2: Development
I have demonstrated technical implementation and development skills through various coding projects, focusing on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design principles. What I particularly enjoyed was learning new techniques in frontend development, which expanded my technical toolkit and gave me more confidence in creating interactive web experiences.
LO3: Iterative Design
I developed creative design solutions through iterative processes, particularly evident in my branding projects and visual identity development work. The highlight of what I learned from this outcome was pushing myself to design more outside my comfort zone, challenging my usual design approaches and exploring new creative directions that I wouldn't normally consider.
LO4: Professional Standards
I have demonstrated adherence to industry standards through project documentation, collaborative workflows, and professional communication practices. Although I prefer working alone, I discovered that I can also work well in team settings. This is consistently reflected in the feedback I receive from my teammates, who appreciate my collaborative approach and contribution to group projects.
LO5: Personal Leadership
I have demonstrated a self-directed learning approach through strategic career planning, networking activities, and reflective practice leading to focused specialization in branding and content strategy. Additionally, I actively attended Fontys events to gain better insight into my future career path, which helped me make more informed decisions about my academic and professional direction.
Throughout this journey, I remain committed to continuously improving myself and staying eager to learn and develop new things. This mindset of lifelong learning drives me to seek out new challenges and opportunities for growth, ensuring that I keep evolving both personally and professionally.