What led you into design?
Nearly two decades ago I moved to Berlin — drawn by the city’s creative energy and openness — to study Communication Design. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2011. Early on, I found myself fascinated by the systematic side of design: how complex information could be structured and made accessible. Discovering the profession of Information Architecture felt like finding my natural home — the bridge between client and agency, between design and development. My work has always been about bringing clarity to complexity, planning with purpose, and creating meaningful frameworks.
But my creative journey started much earlier. As a teenager, I was constantly experimenting – building small websites with HTML & CSS, crafting "gluebooks" filled with collages from newspapers and fashion magazines, and initiating online communities – before social media existed. Next to that, I was part of "Design Made in Germany" and ran "Sonntagskunst," a weekly creative contest. These projects were driven by a desire to create, connect, and cultivate a space for shared creativity. Even before I found what I was looking for in Berlin.
After graduating, I started with some freelance gigs, before taking a permanent position at Aperto (now IBM iX) working as an Information Architect – but quickly realized that freelancing offered me the independence and flexibility I needed.
I spent several years working as a freelance UX designer, leading pitches for well-known agencies and collaborating with Berlin's first wave of startups. In 2013, I co-founded a small studio with a friend. After five years of managing that business, I decided it was time for a new chapter – one with more clarity and ambition. That's why I teamed up with Jürgen to make a difference.
What does a typical day look like?
As a father of two, my day has been more structured – and sometimes beautifully unpredictable – ever since 2014. Managing pick-ups from school and spending time with my kids, among other things, has taught me to work more efficiently and to take work-life balance seriously.
At MAD, I lead new business efforts, project processes, and client relationships. My focus is on building a meaningful environment where both people and ideas can thrive. After overcoming cancer and months of chemotherapy in 2018–2019, I realized even more deeply how precious freedom, health, and time are – and that work should serve life, not the other way around.
Running a studio means wearing many hats. I split my time between shaping business direction, supporting the team, and working closely with clients to make sure what we build is thoughtful, useful, and aligned with their goals, but also our values. I'm involved in planning, quality control, hiring, partnerships – and occasionally still get pulled into early concept phases. No day is ever the same, but that's part of what I love about it.
What's your workstation setup?
I keep my setup simple and functional: MacBook Air, external monitor, clean desk, no distractions. I believe in the power of basics, clarity, and creating order as a foundation for creativity. During the day I switch from my desk to the standing desk, our conference table, or work from the sofa.
Where do you go to get inspired?
I'm inspired by people who challenge assumptions and by the energy of cities like Berlin, where openness and reinvention are part of everyday life. Surrounding myself with talented, curious people always helps, too.
Some studios I admire for their craft, ethos, and vision include Mouthwash, Bakken & Bæck, Super Keen, Porto Rocha, and Sanctuary Computer – especially their broader initiative Garden3D, which explores transparency in building creative companies in thoughtful, open ways. The few newsletters I've subscribed to, are also worth a mention: Carly Ayres, Gabby Lord, Igor Schwarzmann, and of course Kai Brach's Dense Discovery.
Also books like "Run Studio Run", "One Billion Dollar Coach", "Design as an Attitude", but also "Let My People Go Surfing" or "Unreasonable Hospitality" have all shaped how I think about leadership and creative work. At MAD, those influences come together in our own principles: we prioritize human needs over rigid frameworks, compasses over maps, calm over noise, and resilience over force.
What product have you recently seen that made you think this is great design?
The leaps OpenAI has made in how we create, communicate, and interact with technology are truly fascinating. Tools like ChatGPT and image generation models have fundamentally reshaped creative workflows, making high-level support accessible in ways that felt out of reach just a few years ago. It's not just about technical progress – it's about unlocking new ways of thinking, working, and collaborating.
These shifts show up in the everyday, too. While I still take notes during weekly syncs with clients, I've started using Granola for more focused note-taking – especially during new biz calls when I want to stay present in the conversation.
What pieces of work are you most proud of?
"Proud" is not a word I use very often. Of course, I'm proud that our small studio has had the chance to work with ambitious, forward-thinking clients. But even more, I'm proud that we've stayed true to what we set out to build back in 2018: a studio shaped by integrity, creativity, and a commitment to making a real impact – not just collecting logos. Over the years, that focus has helped us build lasting relationships and do work that actually matters – to our clients, their users, and to us.
What design challenges do you face at your company?
Adapting to a shifting market – including the challenges of a looming worldwide recession in the past two years – while we've had to rethink parts of our business: moving into a new studio, adjusting our team structure, and embracing new ways of collaborating. Through it all, our vision remains the same – working with a small experienced team who approach work with depth, craft, and curiosity.
What music do you listen to while designing?
Any advice for ambitious designers?
Stay curious, stay open – and stay grounded. Master your craft, but also take time to understand people, systems, and the business side of things. Creativity isn't linear; the more context you have, the more meaningful your work becomes. Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking, not just your skills. The best collaborators often ask better questions than they give answers.
Trust in calmness over speed. Depth, care, and integrity will always outlast trends. It's easy to get caught up in momentum or comparison, but the most sustainable growth often comes over time. Keep showing up, and stay connected to why you're doing the work in the first place.
And most importantly: work is important – but life is more important. Don't lose sight of the things that nourish you outside the studio. That's where your best ideas often come from.
Anything you want to promote or plug?
We're currently working on the next chapter of MAD – Make A Difference: a refreshed brand, new ideas, and more collaborations with clients and partners who want to create meaningful, lasting digital experiences. Feel free to follow me on Linkedin to get some irregular updates and glimpse behind the scenes.
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