Mike is available for hire
Hire MikeMike Dekker
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Toptal Member Since
June 1, 2017
With 18+ years of industry expertise, Mike is a seasoned independent product design consultant specializing in guiding businesses through defining, designing, and transforming digital products. His skill set, including product discovery, UX/UI design, prototyping, and UX audits, aligns user needs with business requirements for impactful results. Mike brings a unique blend of skills, ensuring comprehensive and effective solutions for his clients.
Portfolio
Work Experience
Future Skills Industry Mentor and UI/UX Designer
2023 - PRESENT
RMIT University
- Prepared and hosted weekly UX/UI design-related webinars for 23 students.
- Supported students through 1:1 mentoring sessions.
- Reviewed and graded student UX/UI projects to help them grow their skills and confidence.
Technologies: Figma, Miro, Slack, Zoom
Digital Product Design and Innovation Consultant
2019 - PRESENT
TripTech (& the CamperMate App)
- Performed an extensive UX audit of the application to assess its current state, conducting a screen-by-screen analysis. I employed design heuristics, best practices, and common design patterns to identify and isolate these critical flaws.
- Worked on a comprehensive overhaul of the product's UX and UI design, leading to regaining a competitive edge, increased retention rates, and heightened user engagement.
- Contributed to the decision that CamperMate made. Following the major redesign, CamperMate sustained our partnership through a retainer arrangement, enabling continued collaboration on UX/UI enhancements for updates and future improvements.
Technologies: Figma, Slack, Miro, Zoom, Maze, Askable
Principle Consultant
2013 - PRESENT
Independent Mike Dekker Digital Product Design & Innovation Consultant
- Worked on a global scale with businesses, organizations, and agencies to help them define, design, and validate meaningful, memorable products and services that exceed their business requirements and, most importantly, meet their users' needs.
- Provide main services such as product discovery and ideation workshops, UX audit, general UX/UI design services, and interim design leadership.
- Contributed to various outcomes, including mitigating risk, increasing conversions, creating consensus amongst stakeholders, extending runways, securing funding, increasing retention, and product vision clarity.
Technologies: Figma, Adobe CC, Maze, Miro, Slack, Zoom
Digital Product Design and Innovation Consultant
2022 - 2023
The University of Melbourne
- Successfully secured AUD 6.55 million in philanthropic funding to further advance the product's development.
- Established a product vision and a common understanding amongst stakeholders of the different user group's needs, frustrations, and motivations.
- Designed a detailed proof of concept that validated our assumptions, informed the product roadmap and funding needs, and shaped the detailed data model and technology solution architecture.
- Worked on the presentation that created a consensus among 30+ stakeholders.
Technologies: Figma, Zoom, Slack, Miro, Microsoft Teams
UX Design Consultant/Mentor
2018 - 2021
Thinkful
- Mentored 400+ students over a period of six months each via one-on-one sessions teaching job-ready skills that helped them land jobs at companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon.
- Contributed to building out an extensive UX/UI design curriculum.
- Was responsible for 1:1 sessions, grading, and job coaching.
Technologies: Figma, Slack, Zoom, Maze
UX/UI Design Mentor
2014 - 2018
Bloc
- Mentored 300+ students over a period of six months each via one-on-one sessions teaching job-ready skills that helped them land jobs at companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, and countless exciting scaleups and startups.
- Contributed to the development of an extensive UX/UI design curriculum.
- Helped over 300 students land jobs in the industry.
Technologies: Figma, Sketch, Maze, Slack, Zoom
Lead UX/UI Designer
2012 - 2013
Longtail
- Established a holistic product design culture in the company.
- Worked on the concept, design, and art direction for digital ad campaigns for a variety of clients.
- Trained staff to embrace a human-centered design approach.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe CC
Senior UX/UI Designer
2009 - 2011
IN10
- Worked on the concept and design of visually stimulating, interactive, and memorable consumer experiences like websites, apps, and offline supportive materials.
- Established a holistic approach to UX and UI design within the company.
- Worked on digital products ranging from web to eCommerce, iOS, Android, and interactive installations.
Technologies: Adobe CC, Sketch
Freelance UX/UI Designer
2006 - 2011
Self-employed
- Worked on digital design/UX/UI related projects for MTV Benelux.
- Contributed to digital design/UX/UI-related projects for Nickelodeon.
- Worked on digital design/UX/UI-related projects for Nike Europe.
- Facilitated digital design workshops for internal teams at Nike Europe.
Technologies: Adobe CC
UX/UI Designer
2006 - 2009
Ijsfontein
- Worked on the concept and design of entertaining, engaging, and educational interactive experiences. This includes games, websites, and interactive museum exhibits.
- Worked with clients such as ING Bank, various international museums, and big European supermarket franchises.
- Took responsibility for deliverables such as games, interactive exhibits, projections, and more.
Technologies: Adobe CC, Flash, Director
Digital Design Workshop Facilitator and Museum Tour Guide
1998 - 2006
Digital Playground
- Facilitated creative digital design, film, web design, and sound editing workshops for teenagers.
- Facilitated museum tours to introduce teenagers to art and design.
- Graded and reviewed teenage student digital projects.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Dreamweaver CS5, Propellerhead Reason 8, Premiere Pro CC
Education
2004 - 2007
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and Multimedia Design/Graphic Design
Willem de Kooning Academy - Rotterdam, Netherlands
2003 - 2004
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts
Sint Joost Academie Breda - Breda, Netherlands
1999 - 2003
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Multimedia Design
Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam - Rotterdam, Netherlands
Experience
Collaboration That Works
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