Hi, my name is Thijs van Meurs, I’m 23 years old and currently studying Communication and Multimedia Design at the HvA in Amsterdam. People often describe me as friendly, reliable, independent, and a real team player.
When I’m not in class, you’ll probably find me testing the newest tools or staying active, I’m always up for trying new sports. I’m a big fan of football, especially Ajax! Maybe a bit unexpectedly, I also really enjoy watching the Yankees.
As a Junior UX Designer at Milvum, I work on mobile applications for iOS and Android. My focus lies in creating user-friendly and visually appealing designs, while also ensuring that the final product can be efficiently implemented by developers. I’m also responsible for presenting my designs to clients, explaining my design choices and translating feedback into actionable improvements.
At the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) I’m sharpening my skills as a web designer while figuring out where I want to specialise. My coursework blends front-end development, interaction theory and digital branding, and this year I’m diving into a UX-design minor that lets me immerse myself in user research, service blueprints and rapid prototyping.
I was in Melbourne for an exchange semester at RMIT University, where I completed a dedicated Marketing Minor alongside my design studies. Earning this marketing qualification has added a strategic layer to my toolkit: it sharpens my grasp of user psychology, market positioning and persuasive storytelling, all of which translate directly into more targeted, high-impact design decisions. I can now pair intuitive interfaces with messages that truly resonate bridging the gap between what looks good and what moves people to act.
During my internship at Momkai, I improved existing websites by conducting various types of user testing. I also developed concepts for new projects, always keeping usability and creativity at the core of my process.
My first design job started during a summer stint at Improvement-IT. The placement taught me to work autonomously and keep the user at the centre of every decision. I contributed to several projects crafting a medical icon set, sketching and prototyping app interfaces and stayed on after the summer to support the team as new features rolled out.
During my first internship, I gained my first experience in the field. I worked on various projects, including the PNH ferry assignment.
In July 2024, I kicked off an incredible adventure in Melbourne, diving headfirst into an exchange semester at RMIT. While there, I decided to dive into something new; Marketing. At first glance, marketing might seem worlds apart from design, but they share a powerful common ground both revolve around deeply understanding user needs and behaviors. This insight has proven invaluable for crafting designs that genuinely resonate with users.
Once my semester wrapped up, I embarked on a solo backpacking for a couple months journey across Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, I earned my PADI diving certification, faced sharks underwater, hiked across a glacier (only to be flown out by helicopter!), and explored the world's largest sand island. Every moment of this adventure was captured through my camera lens, creating lasting memories.
These unforgettable experiences didn't just fill my camera roll, they significantly sharpened my problem-solving and decision-making skills. Most importantly, this journey helped me grow into a much more independent and confident individual.