Welcome to Talking Tuesday!

In this interview series, we introduce you to our specialists. They'll tell you what it's like to work at Humanoids and what they're currently working on!

This week we kick it off with Noor: UX Researcher

What project are you working on right now?

I work as a UX researcher at DUO (the Dutch Education Executive Agency). I started there almost two years ago, assigned to modernise 'My DUO' and make it mobile-friendly. That the redesign was necessary became clear through interviews with students, one of which really stuck with me. "The design is so outdated. Even the tax authority does it better!" That's when you know it's time to make some changes. I'm currently in my final week of the project, so it's a great moment to look back!

What do you find most interesting about it?

I found it interesting that it involved a product I use myself, and that is very relatable to people around me. Two years ago, I was still a student, and yes, I have that student debt too. 'My Debts' is a page I'll still be visiting for a while. Since I know that world so well, it was really helpful to put myself in the target audience's shoes; I knew exactly where the frustrations were since I felt the same way.

"The absolute highlight was a co-creation session with students in Groningen, where I had invited six students to the 'city room', a stunning space in our office on the 25th floor, with a beautiful view over the entire city. The students really got to work with posters and markers to sketch and pitch their ideas. The freedom I was given to approach it that way made the project a real success for me."

What do you bring to a team?

I bring a fresh perspective and keep the user's point of view front and centre.

"I noticed that within the government, people tend to live in a bubble full of abbreviations that you only understand if you work there yourself."

Over time, I was able to highlight when things were unclear to people outside the government, partly by showing video clips and student quotes, which helped stakeholders develop a better understanding.

What tip would you give to someone just starting out?

I have two tips for people who are just starting. First, it's important to get to know your stakeholders well from the very beginning. It's crucial to understand who's at the table, what drives them, and what their level of knowledge is. A second tip is to always back up your designs with evidence. And ideally, with video clips that show a user genuinely struggling or genuinely delighted. That's how you make the problem come alive within the organisation.

What's your favourite tool or design hack you can't live without?

Because I work in the government, I'm limited in my use of new tools like AI. So I work in a fairly old-school way; Miro and Post-its are sacred to me when it comes to analysing and thinking through research. I also regularly used Miro slides so I could keep everything organised in one place.

Can you tell us about your growth as a specialist over the past few years?

I originally come from a background in Industrial Design (TU Delft). That way of thinking stays with me: I want to make things tangible. Lately, I've grown most in stakeholder management and self-confidence. Where I used to focus mostly on the design itself, I've learned that bringing people along in your story is just as important. Presenting used to terrify me, but by simply putting in the hours, it's now actually one of my favourite things to do.

What was your biggest challenge in a project, and how did you overcome it?

The challenge was that at DUO, there was no clear vision at the start about what "mobile-friendly" actually meant or where we were heading. I overcame this by organising sessions and a design sprint to get all stakeholders aligned. Measuring success afterwards remained tricky; there's still room for growth there, both for the organisation and for me personally.

What do you love about this industry?

I really love the tangibility of the work. You can quickly see whether something is an improvement through user testing. My favourite part is going through the entire loop: from identifying that users don't understand something to seeing that the solution actually works.

How do you see the future of your role?

I can see myself working as a UXer for the foreseeable future. I'd love a role where I can combine research and design, because I enjoy that full loop from start to finish the most.

What kind of project would you love to take on in the future?

I'd love to work at a commercial company at some point to experience the contrast with the government. It seems interesting to work in an environment with more speed, innovation, and room for AI. Though I do wonder whether I'd miss the social impact of working in the public sector. What I do already know is what my next project will be. I'm heading to The Hague for a project (for the Public Access to Government Information Act application), where I'll be working concretely as a UX designer. Something quite different to what I was doing at DUO, where I was primarily a researcher.

What are you most proud of since joining Humanoids?

I'm most proud of my growing independence. For a year and a half, I travelled to Groningen on my own. I still remember my first night there in a hotel. I barely slept because of the nerves ahead of the presentation the next day. These days, I don't think twice about it, and I actually enjoy eating alone in a restaurant and then delivering a strong presentation. That personal growth is something I'll carry with me.

What makes Humanoids special?

It might sound like a cliché, but it really is the people and the energy. When comparing my work to that of my friends, I notice a big difference. I genuinely look forward to going into the office in the morning. That "yes, let's go" feeling never went away. That and the fact that everyone here is passionate about what they do and is there for each other, you can also always tap someone on the shoulder if you need some help. I also love the overall work dynamic. I live in Amsterdam, and during the week I often work with a regular group of colleagues here in the city. On Fridays, everyone comes together at the main office in Rotterdam. That combination of a small, local base and the buzzing group on Fridays makes it the ideal workplace for me.

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