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Marijke Dekker
Co-founder & UX Designer @Sticktail
Professional Background
Marijke Dekker is a talented UX designer and UX researcher whose career is built on deep curiosity about people’s motivations and drivers. With a strong desire to assist individuals in achieving their goals through the creation of user-friendly digital products, she embarked on her professional journey at Valsplat shortly after completing her education. During her tenure at Valsplat, Marijke honed her skills in UX design and research, engaging in various projects that gained her valuable industry experience.
After spending years contributing to the growth of Valsplat, Marijke made a pivotal decision to focus entirely on her modern vision for user experience and insights. A year ago, she co-founded her own venture, Sticktail, a user insights platform that is designed to bridge the gap between user needs and product requirements. Sticktail enhances the way businesses interact with and understand their customers, making it an exciting project within the realm of user experience.
Education and Achievements
Marijke Dekker's educational background is marked by a diverse and interdisciplinary approach. She initially attended the Haarlemmermeer Lyceum, where she pursued the Atheneum program focusing on Natuur & Gezondheid (Nature & Health) along with Economie (Economics). This foundation equipped her with both scientific and analytical skills, fostering her intellectual curiosity and bolstering her understanding of human behavior and decision-making.
Furthering her education, Marijke studied Communication and Multimedia Design at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. This program provided her with comprehensive insights into the interplay of design, technology, and user interactions, essential components for a successful career in UX design. Armed with this knowledge, she has consistently delivered innovative solutions in her various roles.
Professional Experience
Throughout her career, Marijke has worn many hats, each contributing to a rich tapestry of professional experience. Early in her journey, she completed internships that laid the groundwork for her expertise in user experience. These internships included roles such as Stagiaire in UX Design at Valsplat and Stagiaire in Interaction Design at Veronica Magazine, where she cultivated her skills in designing engaging and intuitive user interfaces.
In addition, Marijke contributed to Overstappen.nl, where she served as an Interaction Designer and Online Marketeer. Her role included developing marketing strategies that optimized user engagement and enhanced overall customer experience. This was a formative experience that solidified her interest in creating meaningful products tailored to user needs.
Notable Contributions
Marijke’s contributions to the UX design field are underscored by her ability to infuse creativity with functionality. As a Co-Founder and UX Designer at Sticktail, she is at the forefront of transforming how organizations perceive consumer insights. Sticktail’s innovative approach allows companies to harness user insights better, leading to products that resonate strongly with their target audience.
In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Marijke also actively engaged with community-driven initiatives, serving as a trainee and volunteer at Stichting Het Zuid-Hollands Landschap. This involvement showcases her commitment to making a positive impact beyond her professional capacity, exemplifying her holistic approach to user experience within various contexts.
Skills and Expertise
Marijke's expertise ranges from user experience research and design to effective communication and stakeholder engagement. Her strong analytical skills enable her to identify user needs and preferences, leading to the design of products that not only meet business objectives but also enhance user satisfaction.
With a robust foundation in Communication and Multimedia Design, she excels in bridging the technical aspects of UX design with engaging communication strategies. This combination of skills ensures that she is not only able to create visually appealing products but also effectively convey the importance of user-centered design to her stakeholders.
Future Aspirations
As Marijke continues her journey with Sticktail, she remains firmly dedicated to exploring innovative ways to gather and analyze user insights. Her ultimate aspiration is to drive the UX field forward through continual learning, adapting to trends, and empowering organizations to create products that fulfill real user needs. Marijke’s passion for design, combined with her meticulous approach to research and user engagement, promises a bright future not only for her but also for the companies and individuals she serves.
