Get In Touch
lara.a.potma@gmail.com
Back

Present

Expertise Areas

This page showcases my journey of growth and progress in different areas of design. I reflect on my development in various expertise areas, sharing insights from my projects and experiences. Join me as I explore, learn, and continually improve in the diverse realms of design.

Creativity & Aesthetics

Throughout my bachelor’s studies, I have developed my expertise in Creativity & Aesthetics, which has been a significant strength and passion of mine throughout my design journey. I believe these areas are fundamental for any designer, as they allow for innovative problem-solving and leave a lasting impression on users. I have improved my ability to imagine and bring to life visually attractive and innovative designs. Through coursework and practical projects, I have explored different techniques and approaches to enhance the visual appeal of my creations.

Courses like Aesthetics of Interaction, Exploratory Sketching, Design and Sensorial Form and my Projects of which primarily my FBP, have helped me experiment with a range of materials, colors, textures, and forms, enabling me to create designs that evoke emotions and engage users on a sensory level. My portfolio showcases the evolution of my Creativity & Aesthetics expertise, highlighting my commitment to pushing design boundaries while maintaining a harmonious balance between form and function.

By combining my passion for creativity and a keen sense of aesthetics, I aim to create designs that inspire and seamlessly integrate into users’ lives. My work reflects my growth as a designer, demonstrating my ability to merge artistic expression with practical utility. As I embark on the next phase of my design journey, I am eager to explore new horizons in Creativity & Aesthetics, continually refining my skills and pushing the boundaries of design.

Technology & Realisation

Throughout my academic journey, my expertise in Technology and Realisation has grown significantly. Despite initial hesitation about programming and electronics, I developed an appreciation for this field. Courses like ‘Creative Programming’ and ‘Creative Electronics’ played a key role in shaping this newfound interest.

One standout project that demonstrates my progress is Project 3, where I independently created a working prototype. This experience allowed me to further develop my skills and gain confidence in implementing technological solutions. Additionally, I took the initiative to partially code this portfolio website, showcasing my dedication to merging design and technology.

Over the years, I have acquired essential skills in prototyping, programming, and utilising new coding languages. I am proud of my achievements, but I remain committed to continual growth. My goal is to leverage technology in creative ways while ensuring compactness and user-friendliness. As I continue my journey, I am excited to explore new possibilities in Technology and Realisation, using my expertise to craft innovative designs that seamlessly integrate advanced technologies.

User & Society

Throughout my academic journey, my expertise in User and Society has undergone a profound transformation. Recognising the importance of designing with cultural awareness and inclusivity, I have developed a newfound passion for creating awareness of cultural differences and promoting social understanding.

In my final bachelor project, I seized the opportunity to expand this expertise area significantly. By exploring the intersections of user behaviour, societal context, and cultural diversity, I aimed to create designs that fostered greater inclusivity and cross-cultural understanding. This project allowed me to delve deeper into the complexities of designing for diverse user groups and highlighted the power of design in bridging cultural gaps.

This journey has inspired me to continue advocating for cultural awareness in design. I am dedicated to exploring new ways of integrating cultural considerations into my future design projects, seeking to create products and experiences that promotes diversity and empower users from all backgrounds.

By embracing cultural differences and placing them at the core of my design process, I aspire to contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious society, where designs not only meet functional needs but also respect and celebrate the richness of human experiences.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Throughout my academic journey, I have explored various expertise areas, including Business and Entrepreneurship, which I initially had limited experience in. However, over the years, I have dedicated myself to developing my skills in this domain, particularly through my final bachelor project.

During which, I had the opportunity to delve into the business aspects of design. With the potential for my project to be introduced to the market, I realised the importance of further refining my business and entrepreneurial skills. This realisation motivated me to actively seek ways to expand my knowledge in this area and explore the possibilities of transforming my designs into viable business ventures.

In addition to the hands-on experience gained from my final bachelor project, I also pursued courses in my USE learning track, such as New Product Marketing, Marketing Research and Design Methods, and Marketing in Action. These courses have provided me with valuable insights into marketing strategies, market research, and the integration of design and business.

As I continue to develop my expertise in Business and Entrepreneurship, I am excited to further explore the intersection between design and business, leveraging my creativity and strategic thinking to create appealing and marketable products. By combining my passion for design with a solid foundation in business, I aim to make a meaningful impact in the industry by bringing innovative solutions to the market that address user needs and contribute to the progression towards a more inclusive society.

Math, Data & Computing

Throughout my studies, I have embraced Math, Data, and Computing as an essential expertise area in design. Initially, I gained theoretical foundations in courses like Calculus and Physics, but I also delved into specialised areas to enhance my skills in data analysis and computation.

One influential course, “Data Analytics for Engineers,” taught me valuable techniques for analyzing data using Python. Though I didn’t have a natural affinity for the subject, I acquired the ability to create visualizations and extract meaningful insights from data, empowering me to make informed design decisions.

Practical projects, including my final bachelor project, provided opportunities to apply my knowledge. I conducted multiple data analyses, honing my skills in processing and interpreting large datasets. These experiences underscored the importance of extracting valuable information and drawing meaningful connections from data, enriching the design process.

Courses like “Making Sense of Sensors” further deepened my expertise in data collection and the integration of sensor technology. By leveraging math, data analysis, and computing skills, I tackled complex design challenges and made informed choices aligned with user preferences.

As I continue to grow in Math, Data, and Computing, I am eager to explore the correlation between data-driven insights and design innovation. By leveraging mathematical analysis, advanced data visualisation techniques, and computational tools, I aspire to create designs that unite aesthetics with data-driven decisions.

Design & Research

Design and Research Processes have emerged as a vital expertise area throughout my journey as a designer. This area encompasses various design methodologies and iterative processes that shape the outcome of a design. The significance of thorough research in informing and refining the design process cannot be underestimated.

Reflecting on my progress, I can confidently say that I have made significant strides in developing this expertise area, particularly in the past semester. However, project 1 played a crucial role in my growth, as I actively embraced the researching role and witnessed noticeable improvements. Recognising the tendency to sometimes lose time on irrelevant research, I set a goal to streamline my research approach. By clearly outlining the necessary research objectives before commencing, I optimised my efficiency and found relevant information more effectively. 

Furthermore, I delved deeper into understanding the design process itself. Research became an integral part of exploring ideas and methods for our prototypes, especially as the individual nature of prototyping during quarantine demanded innovative solutions. These endeavours further enhanced my proficiency in this expertise area.

Having discovered my strength in research, I am committed to amplifying and refining this skill. I will leverage the foundation I have built, focusing on rigorous and insightful research methods, and continually honing my ability to translate research findings into impactful design solutions.

In my final bachelor project, I embraced the opportunity to delve into intercultural design and cultural dimensions. Thorough research was at the core of my exploration, enabling me to uncover insights and create designs that bridge cultural gaps and foster inclusivity. This experience has solidified my passion for research-driven design and motivated me to pursue further advancements in this field.

Creativity & Aesthetics

Throughout my bachelor’s studies, I have developed my expertise in Creativity & Aesthetics, which has been a significant strength and passion of mine throughout my design journey. I believe these areas are fundamental for any designer, as they allow for innovative problem-solving and leave a lasting impression on users. I have improved my ability to imagine and bring to life visually attractive and innovative designs. Through coursework and practical projects, I have explored different techniques and approaches to enhance the visual appeal of my creations.

Courses like Aesthetics of Interaction, Exploratory Sketching, Design and Sensorial Form and my Projects of which primarily my FBP, have helped me experiment with a range of materials, colors, textures, and forms, enabling me to create designs that evoke emotions and engage users on a sensory level. My portfolio showcases the evolution of my Creativity & Aesthetics expertise, highlighting my commitment to pushing design boundaries while maintaining a harmonious balance between form and function.

By combining my passion for creativity and a keen sense of aesthetics, I aim to create designs that inspire and seamlessly integrate into users’ lives. My work reflects my growth as a designer, demonstrating my ability to merge artistic expression with practical utility. As I embark on the next phase of my design journey, I am eager to explore new horizons in Creativity & Aesthetics, continually refining my skills and pushing the boundaries of design.