Welcome to Talking Tuesday!

Welcome to Talking Tuesday! In this interview series, we introduce one of our specialists each month. They share insights into their current project, what energizes them, and what makes working at Humanoids special for them. This month we’re talking to Shannen, a UX Designer at Humanoids, currently working at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

What project are you currently working on?

Right now, I’m working with the Education Inspectorate on internal tooling used to create and manage investigations into schools and school boards. The current tooling is outdated, so we’re working on a new and improved version. It feels great to contribute to something that directly impacts how inspectors do their job.

What do you find most interesting about this project?

What I find most interesting is the societal impact. You’re working on something that doesn’t just need to function technically, but that actually helps people. The work I’m doing enables my colleagues to do their jobs better, and in turn, that benefits society as a whole. That’s very rewarding.

What do you bring to a team?

I bring a critical mindset. I keep asking the question, “Why are we doing this?” That’s especially important in government settings, where processes can sometimes be a bit rigid. I also focus on facilitating strong collaboration and take a process-oriented approach. I believe decisions should be made together. I aim to raise awareness of UX within the organization by involving colleagues in the process and showing them the value of research. Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward. For me, UX isn’t just a profession – it’s a way of working together.

What’s one tip you’d give someone just starting out?

Be brave and just go for it. “The more you fuck around, the more you find out.” Don’t let imposter syndrome get in your way – everyone struggles with it, even experienced professionals. You don’t need to know everything right away. Just start, and allow yourself to make mistakes. That’s how you learn.

What’s your favorite tool or design hack you can’t live without?

Collaboration. It might sound like a cliché, but to me it’s the foundation of good design. When you keep talking to each other, encouraging and challenging each other, that’s when the best ideas emerge. I love facilitating co-creation sessions or Design Sprints for that reason.

How have you grown as a specialist over the past few years?

Because I love what I do, I used to find it hard to say no. I enjoy helping others and I work well under pressure, so I’d sometimes take on too much. Over time, I’ve learned to set boundaries. I now know where my limits are, and saying no has become part of my vocabulary. As long as you communicate clearly and transparently, so much is possible. These days I can prioritize better and focus on what really matters for the project. Sometimes you need to zoom out and reassess the course.

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

Earlier this year, I worked on a project for Naturalis. We had just two months to go from branding and user research to a working prototype. The challenge was making decisions and defining direction while simultaneously figuring out the client’s needs. The key was maintaining clarity about what really matters. Staying critical and continuously asking if what you’re doing is aligned with the goal kept us on track.

What do you love about working in this sector?

UX combines creativity, analysis, and people – and that’s exactly what I love. The field is so broad and there are so many areas to specialize in. The beauty is that every organization can benefit from good UX. You can add value in so many different places.

What’s something people don’t usually know about you, but that’s relevant to your work?

I’m a very intuitive designer. I often sense whether something works or not before I can fully explain why. That probably comes from the fact that I paint in my spare time. That creative side definitely influences my design work. After the intuition comes the theory and structure.

How do you see the future of your role?

I’m not someone who constantly chases the newest tools or trends. What I do see is that there’s still so much to be done when it comes to user-centered work, especially in government organizations. Our expertise will continue to be essential there.

What organization would you love to work with in the future?

I hope to keep making a positive societal impact. I see many opportunities within government, where UX knowledge and ways of working can really make a difference. One organization I’d love to work with is the Ministry of Justice and Security. I imagine there’s a lot of potential there to make systems more human-centered and user-friendly.

What are you most proud of since joining Humanoids?

I’m proud to have co-developed the UX traineeship program with Roel and helped mentor new talent. We had a lot of freedom, and it’s amazing to see how the program has grown over the years. It’s helping more and more UX designers find their way at Humanoids and beyond.

What makes Humanoids special?

The freedom and responsibility you get. You’re not held back, you’re encouraged to take charge of your own development. And above all, the people. It’s such a great group of colleagues – honestly, more like a big circle of friends. That makes working together not only effective, but also just really fun, especially when we hang out after work.

That’s it for this Talking Tuesday with Shannen! Next month we’ll introduce you to another one of our specialists. Want to read more stories like this? Check out our LinkedIn for more content and tips from our experts.