Meet the team - Wouter Fredrikze
We'd like to introduce you to Wouter Fredrikze, responsible for product design since June 2023 and Mister Never Satisfied.
Wouter works from our office in Rotterdam, and one thing is certain: when Wouter arrives, the day has begun. Besides enjoying a friendly chat early in the morning, he also likes to get straight to the point if he needs something from you. This way, Wouter ensures an improved experience for our customers and a pleasant atmosphere in the office every day!
Want to know more about Wouter? Read on to find out his ultimate life hack for staying focused and what nickname Wouter has earned.
Tell us about your role at Rinkel
Every day, I am busy designing and conceptualizing the entire customer journey within our digital solutions. I am also responsible for the overall online and offline branding, as well as the look and feel of our product.
Our product is more than just the app, portal, and website; it should evoke a sense of satisfaction and recognition whenever you interact with us. The outcome I strive for is: Everything is Rinkel, and Rinkel is everything.
I work closely with the Marketing Team and the Development Team on a daily basis. I support both teams by designing visuals for the website or the app, for example.
What's the first thing that comes to people's minds when they hear your name?
There he comes again...
My mind and thoughts never stop. I always think something can be better or more refined. As a result, I spend a lot of time every day improving our product. I ask my colleagues for feedback multiple times a day and I don't stop until I am satisfied with the outcome.
Even in my free time, I often think about work-related issues. The only way to get this out of my head is usually by working it out, either on screen or on paper. Fortunately, I can almost always share these thoughts with Jeroen and Jesper, so I can let them go, even if it's at night!
Do you have a nickname at the office?
I have several nicknames; the alteration of my first and last name is quite popular at Rinkel!
The marketing team came up with the nickname 'Wotah.' I'm not sure how it started, but I think Lichelle might know...
Jesper and Jeroen call me 'The Freed.'
What do you appreciate most about Rinkel?
The best thing about Rinkel is the atmosphere among all the colleagues. It might sound a bit cliché, but this really helps us get things done together.
Of course, we enjoy brainstorming new ideas, but what I love most is actually doing and executing them. The great thing about Rinkel is that we really make progress and quickly get started with new ideas.
What do you like most about your team?
The best thing about the Design team is that we are always open to multiple ideas. The close collaboration between different teams really ensures that everyone gets the chance to contribute to the design of our product. This makes me feel like I'm not just part of the Design Team, but really part of the entire Rinkel Team.
We also often have great sessions where we work on refining ideas and designs. These sessions help us stay well-aligned.
Any life hacks for staying focused?
My ultimate lifehack is... Coffee! Need I say more?
Besides coffee, it also helps me to occasionally take a walk around the office, bothering my colleagues with unfiltered remarks, random thoughts or funny stories. Fortunately, my colleagues always laugh with me.
I also sometimes take a walk around the office building, often with a notepad and pen in hand, to write down or sketch out ideas. The fresh air helps clear my mind and often leads to new ideas.
Who inspires you?
There are several people and companies that inspire me. Apple is an example of a brand that really inspires me. It's a brand you can truly love and that becomes a part of your lifestyle, which I find very impressive.
Professor Robbert Dijkgraaf is also an inspiration. I admire how he can explain very complex topics using simple examples and objects.
Louis Theroux, with his unfiltered and interesting interviews and documentaries, always gets people to reveal their true selves. The art of always respecting people, even when he disagrees with their opinions, beliefs, or lifestyles, is remarkable.
Barack Obama, who gives speeches as if he's having a conversation on the subway, where every sentence hits the mark and every message is convincing.
I could go on, but I'll leave it at that for now.
The quote is from Einstein and relates to my work and my passion for design. Other quotes from Einstein that I also really like are:
- I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
- The important thing is not to stop questioning.
- If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
What is your favorite office saying?
"Takes too long"
We often say this to each other when we're waiting for something that has high priority. I can also be quite impatient at times, and when I need something, I want it right away. I always try my best to get things done as quickly as possible for others.
If you could be someone else for one day, who would it be and why?
I wouldn't necessarily want to be someone else. However, I would love to go back in time to walk around in the distant past. It would be amazing to get a glimpse of the Roman Empire or the prehistoric era.
What is your archetype?
Wouter is almost 50% Creator, which means he wants to turn new ideas into reality. A Creator is original, imaginative, and inventive. Wouter is also nearly 30% Intellectual. In other words, the typical guest at a festive dinner. Interesting questions and thoughtful debates are his trademarks. Lastly, Wouter is almost 25% Visionary. This means he has a deep desire for freedom and is very curious. The Visionary loves to transform things and make something entirely new out of them.
What’s your favorite holiday destination?
I don't have a specific destination, but I particularly love cities and beaches. I enjoy soaking up culture, but I also love doing absolutely nothing.
New cities give me a lot of energy. I like to walk through the streets, look at buildings and museums, and delve into the history of a city. I also enjoy trying new (and unusual) foods and occasionally sitting somewhere to observe and take in the different people around me.
What’s your favorite drink?
My favorite drinks are Dr Pepper and Fernandes pineapple. On a hot summer day, I especially enjoy these drinks.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I have various hobbies that I fill my free time with. I really enjoy baseball, mainly watching and hanging out in a ballpark. I also like visiting museums, especially the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden and the Dutch Masters. Additionally, I spend my free time watching archaeology documentaries and doing DIY projects, such as restoring old woodwork.
