2012-2013: Comic drawing Youth academy of fine arts, Wommelgem
1995
2008-2014: Mathematics science, Annuntia instituut
2014-2017: Bachelor Product development, University of Antwerp
2017-2019: Master Product development, University of Antwerp (high distincion)
Major: Interaction design
Minor: Technological design
2018: 10 Weeks design internship at “De ster” Hoogstraten
2020: Product specialist, Frisomat Wijnegem
2020: International product developer, Aquinos Bedding
ABOUT ME
I’m Kamie, a passionate and versatile product developer with over five years of experience in crafting user-friendly, ecoconscious designs. My expertise lies in combining functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics to create innovative products that enhance daily life. From concept to production, I thrive in the entire development process, ensuring that every detail aligns with comfort, usability, and efficiency.
With a dynamic and adventurous mindset, I approach challenges with creativity and enthusiasm. Outside of work, I channel my energy into wing foiling, Thai boxing, and mountain biking. My curiosity for the world has led me to explore 58 countries and dedicate five summers to volunteering abroad—experiences that continue to inspire my work and perspective.mers.
PROJECTS
MORPH
Morph is a smart, interactive flowerpot designed to communicate how your plants are feeling. Equipped with humidity and weight sensors, it detects when a plant needs water, while a lux sensor ensures it receives adequate light.
Morph was designed to create rich interactions with the user. When the plant requires attention, Morph responds dynamically—shrinking when unhappy and wiggling when someone passes by. Through the accompanying app, users can access plant care tips, track plant progress, and celebrate their plant-growing achievements.
For user testing, a Wizard of Oz prototype was developed, incorporating Arduino coding and a functional app designed in Adobe XD.
Morph’s distinctive triangular fabric structure is primarily 3D-printed. The base was first printed, then paused to integrate a fabric layer before resuming printing. Finally, laser-cut wooden pieces were attached to enhance its unique aesthetic.
WASTE CONCEPT
During my internship at De Ster, I contributed to an innovative waste management solution for eco-minded airlines aiming to reduce their environmental impact. Traditionally, onboard trash is mixed and incinerated, preventing recyclable materials from being repurposed. Our goal was to create a compact, lightweight, and user-friendly system that enables efficient waste sorting in-flight.
The design features a custom housing that fits seamlessly into standard waste trolleys, along with two cardboard clamps that securely lock garbage bags in place. The system allows crew members to easily separate paper and plastic cups for recycling. To optimize space, the concept includes a stacking mechanism: once a pile of cups reaches a certain height, they can be compressed directly into the garbage bag.
When not in use, the entire system folds down for effortless storage within the waste trolley, maintaining the practicality and efficiency required for airline operations.
The waste concept can be folded up.
To lock the bags in to place they have to be pulled over the clamps and the harpoon connection. Then the clamps are pushed on to the cardboard housing using the harpoon connectors.
Concept in use.
BLIB
Blib is a wearable aid designed for individuals with visual impairments to help them become aware of blindisms—involuntary repetitive movements caused by a lack of visual stimulation. These movements often start around the age of three and can lead to social and medical challenges. With Blib, users no longer need a second party to inform them when they are performing a blindism.
Blib consists of a sensor, three different mounting options, a charging station, and a companion app. The hairband (designed for women) and the glasses mount (designed for men) track head and upperbody movements, while the arm mount detects hand and arm blindisms. When a blindism occurs, Blib provides immediate feedback through a gentle vibration, allowing the user to self-correct in real time.
The charging station tracks daily progress and provides motivational feedback. At the end of the day, it compares the user’s performance to previous days and plays either a victory song for encouragement or a motivational tune to inspire further improvement.
Blib empowers users by fostering self-awareness and reducing stigmatization, helping them integrate into society with greater confidence and independence.
The blindism buddy
GELTEX® NEXT
The Schlaraffia GELTEX® collection features mattresses, toppers, and pillows crafted with an innovative foam and gel blend for excellent pressure relief, support, and climate control. Offered in three price points with both spring and foam options, each product boasts 100% circular covers, highlighting its eco-friendly design.
The flagship model, GELTEX® Quantum Pure Plus 220 TFK, embodies sustainability with a separable, recyclable core. It combines a pocket spring core with GELTEX® Next layers across seven ergonomic zones for tailored comfort.
The development of this collection took over a year, with several iterations to fine-tune zoning, hardness, and overall comfort. I managed the entire process—from fabric and cover design to CNC drawings for foam core cuttings, labels, and helped with the overall collection strategy—while also supporting industrialization for mass production.
After extensive refinement, the final collection was showcased at IMM Cologne 2023, underlining Schlaraffia’s commitment to innovation in comfort and circular design.
Quantum Pure Plus - Schlaraffia
A TREND-DRIVEN APPROACH TO UPHOLSTERY
I have been focusing on overall upholstery product design, with a primary goal of refreshing the boxspring collection at Aquinos Bedding to stay aligned with current trends. I attended several trade fairs such as IMM, Heimtex, and Salone del Mobile, where I studied market trends and consumer preferences. Using these insights, I designed products that were not only in tune with the trends but also compatible with our production methods at the Lodz plant (line assembly).
In addition to product design, I developed a new fabric collection for the beds. These fabrics met current trends while ensuring compatibility with all our headboard designs. The fabrics were also tailored to meet the quality standards expected by high-end brands like Beka and Superba, ensuring they are suitable for premium bedroom environments.
