Background
Even though I call the Netherlands my home, it has never truly been my “home”. Never at ease with its flatness, I longed for different places, different people and frankly wanted to deny my own Dutch-ness (unsuccessfully I may add). Little did I know that my urge to explore and adventure led me to the other side of the world.
After finishing my first degree in Architectural design, I pursued my love affair with product design and moved to London. Where I received a Master’s Degree in Design Products at the Royal College of Art. I stuck around in London for a bit longer, found a new version of the Netherlands I liked in the international scene in Amsterdam, and ultimately followed love to the other side of the world.
I worked in different design agencies in the UK, Netherlands, and here in New Zealand. It honed my craft and helped chase my new found interests in Brand and sustainable design. I collaborated with start-ups, SME, government, and corporations, and I picked up skills beyond my own expectations – yes, I got excited by an excel sheet once or twice! Ultimately, I learned to have a great appreciation and consideration for all that can make or break a product/service/idea.
And it is with this mindset that I push to get a product from good to great, from ordinary to extraordinary.
You can find my full CV on my LinkedIn profile.
key skill set
Brand Identity
Product Design
Empathy Research
Applied Research
Packaging Design
Graphic Design
Life Cycle Thinking
Storytelling
Presenting
Deductive powers (cutting through the BS)
Clients
Altitude Aerospace
Batavus
B/E Aerospace
Boon Edam
Braun
Bravilor Bonamat
C3
Cavotec
Deosan
Dräger
Enterprise Angels
IDEO
Kverneland
Manta5
Olivetti
Pentagram
Priva
Roholm ltd
Samsonite
Scion Research
Tauranga City Council
Trust Power
UBCO ltd
LENNART WENZEL
Product Design Manager – Dräger Safety AG & Co.KGaA
“Caroline’s contribution to our projects has been a great help to the whole team. It has moved the design and usability just in the perfect direction. Being a very open, communicative and likeable person it was a pleasure working together with Caroline.”
RICHARD MILES
Founder – 3 Wise Men ltd.
“It is awesome to see the bike design and the capsule collection come to life. The bike design and the collection of gear respect the roots of each of the brands but at the same time gave us both permission to push quite a few boundaries. You have to love working on brands where like-minded people share a vision. The development journey is fast and relatively seamless and the results speak for themselves. Move beautifully!”
Fun facts
Dutchy who is not a fan of flat landscapes or the colour orange.
Loves giraffes, especially when they run – would have one as a pet if practical – opted for a whippet instead.
Lives with her family in West Auckland – west is best – and proud momma of baby boy Nico and (step) daughter Lucia.