I’m an interface designer from Germany.
I focus on designing digital tools for real people.
Here, I’d like to give you an idea of who I am, how I think
and what I design – as in:
the job interview, before the job interview.
When I was younger, I had no idea that becoming a designer could be a career option for me. Back then, I thought design was all about creating extravagant furniture and expensive clothes. I always knew I wanted to do something creative, but it wasn't until I started studying design that it really clicked. I realized it was about understanding people and building tools for them. Until this day it's what I find the most fascinating about design. This approach defines all of my work today.
As an interface designer, I think it's important to create products, services and experiences that have a positive impact on people and the world around us. I chose design as my career because I believe my skills allow me to combine creativity with purpose. Through thought– and impactful design, I aim to make a difference in people's lives.
Project
Medinote
I think this project is a great example of how we can use software to make a difference in people's everyday lives. Together with Till Kufus, I discovered that doctors in German hospitals often can’t spend as much time with their patients as they'd like. They have to complete a large amount of paperwork every day.
Our research showed that writing doctors' letters is one of the most time-consuming tasks for physicians. We came across two main issues. First, their current software wasn't able to smoothly combine all complex pieces of information into one coherent document. Second, the software interface slows down doctors because it's not designed for their specific use case.
We started researching for our project with over 25 doctors and four medical organizations in Berlin. Then we developed a software prototype, which we ended up calling “Medinote”. It is a back-office solution for doctors that uses AI to create doctors' letters, integrating information, streamlining editing, facilitating smart reviews, enhancing collaboration, and customizing document delivery for each patient.
Role
Design Lead
When
2023/24
With
Google, Charité, Fiedler Klinken
Project
Medinote
I've always been drawn to things that are uncertain and unexplored. I love movies with plot twists and questions with no answers. As a designer today, I find myself especially excited about exploring challenges and testing out new ideas. I find that working with analogue tools gives me more freedom to think and allows me to sketch out a concept much quicker than I ever could with any software.
Sometimes during my design process I get a bit too focused on one particular outcome. When I get stuck on a problem, I have to remind myself there are more ways to figure it out than just by bouncing back and forth in my Figma file.
I try to be more open and flexible during my design process. I want to give myself and my team the confidence to experiment, to pivot when needed, to fail often and early and to accept that all of this is part of the process.
Project
Swap Sketch
As I made my way through my design degree, I felt a lack of inspiration and creative collaboration with other designers. I wanted a space where people could experiment for the sake of experimenting, where everyone could share their skills and discuss new ideas and topics.
In a conversation with my friend Elsa Woelk, it hit me — I wasn’t the only one on campus looking for something like that. As the new semester arrived, we created the course concept called “Swap Sketch” at the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam.
Once a week, students from all semesters came together to sketch. Everyone brought a sketchbook and took another person’s home. The result: In 15 weeks, everyone took home 15 books full of new inspiration. After the course was finished other students copied the idea and Swap Sketch became its very own community on campus until this day.
Role
Student Lecturer
When
2021/22
With
Elsa Woelk at FH Potsdam
Project
Swap Sketch
Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate to have spent some time in Australia, the United States, and Portugal. There, it always felt very natural for me to make new friends. I'm curious to connect with others and to learn about their culture, ideas and goals. This way I always learned something new about myself too.
That also relates to my work life. Over time, I've noticed that I'm more creative and productive when I'm around other people. I love being involved, talking about ideas and discussing possible solutions, empowering others and feeling the drive in my team. All the people I've met along the way have shaped my personality as a designer and as a person.
Project
Kick it like Hasso
Last year, I was part of an interdisciplinary, international project at the HPI School of Design Thinking in Potsdam. We were challenged to design a concept for a women’s soccer club to enable the development of young talents. After a lot of research within the club and hard work within our project team, we saw the greatest opportunity to improve player’s personal growth by optimizing the internal soccer club environment.
We held a workshop with the players. As a result we implemented a team-building routine and created a feedback and communication channel. As the designer of my project team, I was responsible for product strategy, visual project identity and client communication. Being part of this project was an incredible experience. I learnt more about collaboration and leadership than at any other stage of my career.
Role
Head of Design
When
2023/24
With
HPI School of Design Thinking
Project
Kick it like Hasso
No regrets! I felt really lucky to be able to experience so much at once, but I also learned that I need to be more mindful of how I use my time and resources in the future.
I'd like to focus on what's ahead of me. My goal is to become the best user interface designer I can be. I'm looking for ways to develop my skills as a designer, creating digital products and services. I'd love the chance to learn from an experienced team and to work on something that's valuable for today's world and society. I'm ready for challenging projects and feedback to help me grow.
Project
Three Point Logistics
For my semester abroad, I was lucky enough to get a scholarship to study web design in California. I was also lucky to find a host family, which I now call my second home and I was lucky to be close to Silicon Valley. There, I was introduced to many inspiring people in the tech and design industry. One of them was Amir Attia, through whom I was able to create a corporate identity for a company in Nevada called Three Point Logistics.
After just a few meetings, emails and proposals, I delivered my final result and their feedback was very positive. In the end, they didn't use my design, but at least they still stuck to my colour theme.
And that's probably another lesson for me. I am more lucky when I take risks. Of course, things don't always work out the way I expect, but I've learnt that it's always worth a try.
Role
Freelancer
When
2022/23
With
Three Point Logistics at CSUMB
Project
Three Point Logistics
Looking for a different answer?Not the answer you were looking for?
This is just a snippet of what I do.
If you’d like to see more
projects, you can find them here.
And in case you’d like to have a real chat:
ask@franziskahagen.com