Five to Inspire with Thomas Schrijer

Sr. Designer @ WeTransfer

Who are you?

I’m a senior designer at WeTransfer, based in Amsterdam. As a kid I liked to draw and create stuff, so as soon as a friend taught me ‘how to’ Frontpage, I made my first website with frames and everything. First up: a fan site for South Park. Second: a website for my dog.

Being interested in the combination between computers and design led me to studying ‘Communication and Multimedia Design’ (that’s a mouthful). While I really liked the world of digital design, studying didn’t really do it for me. Once I graduated and started my first job as a graphic designer — already 7 years ago — it clicked. Along the way I never wanted to specialise in a certain role like UX or UI designer, I liked the whole spectrum.

Previously I w0rked as a designer at agency called Present Plus, where I made things for clients & ventures. 8 months ago the studio got acquired by WeTransfer, to function as their design team. So you can say I shifted to product design which is really challenging in a different way. No more throwing projects over the fence and on to the next, but making it better and better with a fully dedicated team.

What I really like about WeTransfer is that, from the start, it’s more a brand than a service. That we have a voice which people listen to.

What's a typical day in the life of Thomas?

• 07:20: Get up, shower, make myself a coffee.
• 08:25: Take the train from Utrecht to Amsterdam, then a 10 minute bike-ride past the IJ river to work.
• 10:00: Sync with the design team. Currently we’re shipping a new version of the website for the first time in 3 years, that’s built on a completely new foundation. It’s already live in a few countries — go check it out. It basically set the stage for us to iterate on. We’re already improving small things, and looking further ahead.
• 12:00: Sandwich with nutella.
• 13:00: Sit at my desk. Yell at some pixels and vector points.
• 19:00: Home again — pet my cats, get some headspace, play FIFA or watch an episode of Westworld or Black Mirror.

How would you define good design?

Essentially good design is about solving a problem. In the case of my job that means defining the problem or challenge first, then making sure it aligns with business goals, brand values and most importantly — that the person who’s going to use it understands it.

I have some personal values when it comes to good design.

• Good design is obvious. Instantly clear.
• Good design is made with love and dedication. People will always notice this, or at least I hope so.
• Really good design is approached from a different angle. So many things can be solved with the same solution. But a unique angle to a problem can push the world forward.

Share something you'd really like to do — but haven't done yet. What's keeping you from doing it?

I want to see more of the world, travel around for a while. Money.

I believe trying to understand different cultures, opinions and points of view will make everyone a better human (let alone designer) more than anything else. There’s a danger of being in a comfortable bubble. Good recent example: the fact that a shitload of people are stunned that the US elected an orange-faced rich guy, is because they don’t know any pro-Trump people in their environment.

As a designer you’re most useful when you solve problems for all kinds of humans, not only for likeminded people. Getting out of that bubble can inspire you to make something really useful, instead of inventing the next writer app.

How do you imagine your life as a designer ten years from now will be?

Since WeTransfer’s design team is growing, I’m shifting towards more of leadership role. That means less time in Sketch and more sitting down with other designers. I don’t see myself designing all my life. I’d like to evolve my leadership skills in the coming years.

But in 10 years? I don’t know, designing Black Mirror-ish scenarios maybe. As long as I can pour love and dedication in it.

People and/or designers that inspire yout (personally and profesionally)

• Love how Laszlito’s brain works.
• Love how Frank Chimero thinks.
• Love how Julie Zhou writes.
• Love how Alain de Botton makes me wonder.
• Love how Folkert Gorter dances with design and technology with Cargo and Persona.
• This Product Philosopher guy Tristan Harris, who’s determined to stop our addiction to our phones.

Where can we find Thomas Schrijer?

Personal site: thoma.so
Work site: wetransfer.com
twitter.com/thomasschrijer
dribbble.com/thomasschrijer
instagram.com/thomasschrijer
Walloflikes.tumblr.com