

PRODUCT & WEB DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Hi, I’m Thomas,
USER-NAVIGATOR CHALLENGE SEEKER STORYTELLER TEAMPLAYER INTERFACE POET
I’m a versitile Product Designer with a passion for creating user-centric digital products. With a strong foundation in both product development and web development, I try to bridge the gap between esthetic designs and technical feasibility. By blending creativity with functionality, I aim to build products that are both beautiful and intuitive to use.
Explore my portfolio and let’s embark on exciting ventures together!
declerckthomas9@gmail.com
www.thomasdeclerck.com
Master Productdevelopment 2023-2024 Graduate Studies Webdevelopment, frontend & backend
University of Antwerp AP Hogeschool, Antwerp
University of Antwerp
Sint-Michielscollege, Brasschaat
June- August 2024 Intern UX/UI designer: Design system
Telenet, Mechelen
2021- 2024 Student work: Assembly and packaging awards
Fabit, Antwerp
Achilles Design, Mechelen
Here’s where the magic happens. These six projects are my pride and joy - each one a little puzzle I had fun solving. Wanna see what I can do? Let me show you!
PRODUCT & UX/UI DESIGN
VR DESIGN SKETCH
The coastal measuring platform The Gravity Sketch collab
PRODUCT DESIGN
The ergonomic litterbox
UX/UI DESIGN
Internship projects
PRODUCT & UX/UI DESIGN
The grocery product service system
CERAMIC DESIGN
The paper bag vase
PRODUCT & UX/UI DESIGN
As a thesis project, a year-long study was conducted on the optimization of coastal safety. This involved examining swimmers, beach rescuers, and external rescue services to address the problem from various perspectives. After months of research, ‘Onflow’ was developed. Onflow is a smart platform consisting of a measuring buoy located in the sea and a digital platform. The buoy retrieves data from the sea, which is then visible to the lifeguards who can make adjustments accordingly to ensure public safety.
In this project, the technical operation and interaction with the user (beach rescuers) were the focal points. This led to the creation of various physical models for verifications, aiming to arrive at a well-considered and substantiated product. To come to a usable end result I made different real size prototypes to test the portability, ease of use and flow direction measurements.
The ‘Onflow’ measuring buoy is a compact buoy that performs real-time measurements in the swimming zone along the coast. The gathered information is shared with beach rescuers, allowing them to ensure the safety of beachgoers and optimize their own work efficiency. The buoy continuously measures both the flow rate and flow direction. When the buoy detects critical flow values, it will alert beach rescuers using a signaling light, enabling them to take preventive measures.
By incorporating continuous feedback from various stakeholders, the wireframes gradually evolved into a functional website. The wireframes were first made in figma and Illustrator and were later transformed into a real usable website using a no-code web design tool called webflow.
My bachelor’s thesis project entailed creating an innovative cat litter box with an automated cleaning mechanism. The objective was to develop a product with a distinctive feature that would stand out in the market and make a significant impact.
Recognizing that litter boxes are typically placed on the ground, I envisioned an ergonomic design positioned at a higher, more accessible level. This innovation aims to significantly enhance usability, especially in homes of elderly or less mobile individuals.
The litterbox is made out of high density polyethylene. This material will be injection molded into the right shapes. The legs and jumping platforms underneath the litterbox are made out of wood. The whole structure is designed with the thought that the parts should be easy replaceable and easy disassembly.
As this ergonomic litterbox sits at a higher level, it cleverly makes use of the space below. Here, you’ll find a range of jumping platforms and a scratching pole for cats to enjoy and play with.
Creating a mobile experience
With the Yui app your life becomes easier. Different elements will help you in your daily life with questions about food, health and time management.
Extend the digital experience into the store
With the in-store feature of the Yui app you get the perfect guide to an easy and fast visit to the grocery store. The physical add-on fits perfectly on your grocery cart so its easily accessibly throughout your grocery shopping experience.
To explore the possibilities of designing in virtual reality I made this unique shoe in Gravity Sketch, rendered in Keyshot. I thought it would be fun a learnful exercise to visualize what a Birkenstock x Nike shoe collaboration could look like. These two brands both have a very clear brand identity which made it extra challenging to try and come up with an esthetic looking collaboration shoe.
The easy of use and versatility of Gravity Sketch made it possible for me to really design and adjust without having to leave the virtual space. I brought some reference pictures of Birkenstocks and Nike shoes in the virtual workroom for inspiration and let my creativity do the rest.
UX/UI DESIGN INTERNSHIP
I recently finished a voluntary three month internship at Telenet where I gained a lot of handson experience.
In this professional environment I have deepened my understanding of the UX and UI of design systems. Apart from this I participated in usability testing and other UX related projects. This experience has not only refined my technical skills but also broadened my perspective on the dynamic business world.
For the most part I worked with the design system team to redefine, redesign and reimplement their existing components. I created a few components on my own, from UX-research to UI-design. Through this process, I gained not only technical skills but also a deeper understanding of the key aspects that make a good and effective component. In this process I learned how to define different variants, breakpoints, interaction states and much more.
A different, more UX related, project was to try and reconfigure the ‘Hulp’ pages for settings limits, notifications. The desired information for these pages was too scattered and overwelming on the website. We aimed to create a clearer overview for the users so they can quickly find their issues and solutions.
CERAMIC DESIGN
I wanted to try making something by hand for a change, so I decided to create a vase. It seemed like a fun project to do in my spare time away from the computer. After a quick brainstorm, I settled on the idea of creating a vase shaped like a paper bag, perfect for holding flowers or something else.
After completing the design phase, a 3D-printed model of the vase was produced. This model was then utilized to create a five-part plaster mold. Upon drying, each section of the mold underwent meticulous sanding and refining to ensure a flawless finish. Additionally, I incorporated a 3D-printed rendition of my logo, which was carefully poured onto the base mold.
Afterwards, the vases underwent firing and completion. The slight shrinkage resulting from the firing process resulted in charming vases, ready to brighten a space and bless someone’s day.