Hi, I'm Mathijs
But that's a hard Dutch name, so most call me Math. I’m a freelance creative director and designer with over 14 years of experience, working with everyone from scrappy startups to Fortune 100 companies.
I believe design is about more than just making things look good; it’s about solving problems that truly matter. Over the years, I’ve made it my mission to use design to address social and climate issues, as there are plenty of urgent global challenges that need attention.
Why I primarily help changemakers
The world faces many pressing issues, so I focus on solutions. While I learned a lot from my time at some of the biggest companies, I felt a strong pull to empower changemakers such as social entrepreneurs, B-corps, and anyone dedicated to making a positive impact.
What sets me apart from others
I share the drive to make the world a better place. My broad experience in design & tech in the impact space give me a good grasp of how purpose-driven organisations can overcome challenges, stand out, grow revenue and increase growth & impact.
Why I primarily help changemakers
There's plenty of pressing issues around the world that need attention. While I learned a lot from my years of working for world's biggest companies, I felt an intrinsic need to focus more on empowering changemakers, social entrepreneurs, B-corps & world improvers.
What sets me apart from others
I share the commitment to make the world a better place. My years of experience in design & tech in the impact space give me a good grasp of how purpose-driven organisations can overcome challenges, stand out, grow revenue and in turn increase growth & positive impact.
What I bring to the table
A long history of experience in leading design, user research, prototyping, user-testing, iterating & development. I like to balance having a helicopter view and working with teams hands-on, as I think collaboration is key for building impactful solutions.
Who I (don't) like to work with
I enjoy partnering with passionate people & organisations focused on social & climate impact projects. If you are looking to solely make profits without considering ethics or do not value thorough strategy, branding, or design, we might not be the best fit.
What I bring to the table
I combine human-centered design, tech & strategy to tackle business challenges. I have hands-on experience in user research, prototyping, testing, iterating & development. I like working with & leading teams as I believe collaboration is key for impactful solutions.
Who I like to work with
If you need help with a positive impact project and are ready to collaborate to grow your business or product, we're a great match. If you don't see value in strategy, branding or design or just want imagery fast & cheap (or free), check out Fiverr & Upwork instead.
What I can help with
What I can help with
Creative direction • Art direction • Brand strategy • Brand identity • UX/UI design • User research • Prototyping • Product design • Visual design • 2D & 3D Illustration • Photography • Animation • Videography • XR design
Creative Direction / Art Direction / Brand Strategy / Corporate Identity / 2D & 3D Design / Illustration / UX/UI Design / Marketing / Print Design / Webdesign / Visual Design / Animation / Motion Design / Videography / Photography / XR design
Creative direction • Art direction • Brand strategy • Brand identity • UX/UI design • User research • Prototyping • Product design • Visual design • 2D & 3D Illustration • Photography • Animation • Motion design • Videography • XR design
Awards & features
- Singapore Good Design - SG Mark Health & Wellness, 2024
- International Serious Play Awards - Gold Award, 2021
- Energy Institute Award - Best Public Engagement, 2019
- Serious Board Game Awards - Silver Award, 2019
- Games for Change Awards - Most significant impact, 2019
- UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa award - Best Innovation
in Education, 2018 - Public Award for Best Innovation - Dutch Coalition for Humanitarian Innovation, 2018
- RAAK-Awards - Gold Award, 2017
- Serious Play Conference - Bronze Award, 2017
- AHK Best Art Project of the Year - Finalist, 2015
- The One Minutes video Award 'Videoooooh' - Top Submitter, 2012
- Celluloid Remix Video Montage - Finalist, 2012
- Wired magazine
- Photoshop Magazine
- Advance Photoshop Magazine
- N-Gamer magazine
- London Olympics Exhibition
- Mix Art Gallery / Amsterdam
- Children's Book Museum / The Hague
- International Serious Play Awards - Gold Award, 2021
- Energy Industry Award - Best Public Engagement, 2019
- Serious Board Game Awards - Silver Award, 2019
- RAAK-Awards - Gold Award, 2017
- Serious Play Conference - Bronze Award, 2017
- AHK Best Art Project of the Year - Finalist, 2015
- Short video Award 'Videoooooh' - Top Submitter, 2012
- Celluloid Remix Video Montage - Finalist, 2012
- Wired magazine
- Photoshop Magazine
- Advance Photoshop Magazine
- London Olympics 2012 exhibition
- N-Gamer magazine
Bonus trivia
- Originally produced & raised in the Netherlands.
- Currently based and working in and around Asia.
- I provide free mentoring on ADP list as a top 5% mentor.
- Previously design & strategy lecturer at Mediacollege Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of the Arts.
- Active as a design mentor for students at IxDF.
- I've been a mix of vegetarian & vegan for the past 14 years.
- Big fan of videogames, and figuring out how to break them.
- I write about the mix of design, tech & impact on Medium.
- In my free time I volunteer my design & business skills to various animal welfare, mental health & climate projects globally.
- This site is optimised to reduce its carbon footprint.
PART OF
But enough about me already
I'd love to lend a hand!
I'd like to learn more about you and your challenges as well! Book a quick call so we can chat and see what we can potentially do for each other.
But you might be wondering if we're a fit, right? Explore my work below, learn more about me or lets set up a call to talk about your challenges, no strings attached.
But you might be wondering if we're a fit, right?
Explore my work below, learn more about me or lets set up a
short call to talk about your challenges, no strings attached.