Sarah Kwakkelaar

Graduating with a Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence in Intelligent Systems from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 2022, I have since built a diverse career in tech and design. As a UI/UX Designer at Aquapitas, I crafted a responsive web app to aid lead pipe removal, ensuring user-centered design and cohesive brand identity. At Metabolic, I enhanced decision-making for circular economy initiatives through engaging data visualizations. My role as a Product Quality Engineer at Oxaigen involved establishing design standards for an AI-powered medical device. Additionally, I contributed to academic research and teaching at VU Amsterdam, focusing on survey design and computational thinking.

Projects

Duolingo Redesign

Despite being the most prominent language-learning platform, Duolingo falls short of accessibility standards, hindering the learning experience for a significant portion of its diverse user base. In this case study, I give my approach to redesigning Duolingo to be a more inclusive learning environment. Specifically, my modified features enrich the experience for individuals facing dyslexia, visual impairments, and/or hearing impairments. As an added benefit, these enhancements not only accommodate these groups but also elevate usability and enjoyment for all users.See More

Hangout

As we get older, finding time to see friends gets complicated. Schedules fill and responsibilities pile up, making it a logistical ordeal to find a time that works for everyone. It’s no surprise then that a lot of us struggle to maintain active social lives, seeing friends far less often than we used to in the good ol’ days. That's why I designed Hangout, a mobile app that streamlines the event scheduling process by consolidating all the steps into one centralized platform. Its user-friendly interface enables organizers to visualize their friends’ schedules and identify mutual availability at a glance. Potential timeslots can be nominated for a group poll, allowing friends to efficiently decide on a time that works best for everybody. Plus, everything sits on one app, so no more hunting down links or scrolling through old texts for meetup details!See More

Zeppelin

An estimated 10 million households in the United States are at risk of having lead contamination in their water, yet the majority of cities have no records of where exactly their lead pipes are. It comes as no surprise, then, that amid President Biden's newly mandated Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme requiring all lead pipes to be replaced by 2034, cities are scrambling to figure out how to locate and replace these pipes. Their residents are often left in the dark with little to no guidance on how to ensure their own safety. As part of Aquapitas’ initiative to fill this gap, I designed Zeppelin, a responsive website that helps residents independently identify the material of their water pipes and relay their results to their municipality. Our goal is to not only expedite pipe replacement for residents in need, but also bolster inventorying efforts through crowdsourcing.See More

Work History

UI/UX Designer

AquapitasInternNov 2023 - Apr 2024 • 6 mosDesigned and evaluated a responsive web app dedicated to aiding the removal of lead pipes from our communities, integrating user-centered and data-driven methodologies. Engaged stakeholders and engineers throughout the design process to ensure alignment with user needs. Crafted design guidelines encompassing typography, color schemes, and components to establish a cohesive and visually compelling brand identity.

Data Scientist

MetabolicInternJan 2023 - Jul 2023 • 7 mosCollaborated with visual designers to craft engaging data visualizations, enhancing decision-making processes for circular economy initiatives. Presented deliverables, clearly articulating rationale and incorporating feedback to refine and improve produced output. Bridged technical and non-technical teams through effective communication, simplifying complex concepts to establish a unified understanding on project matters.

Product Quality Engineer

OxaigenInternAug 2022 - Jan 2023 • 6 mosEstablished a framework to ensure adherence to design standards and best practices for an AI-powered medical device, cultivating a user-centric ethos within the startup. Directed a team through an extensive compliance process, ensuring timeliness, organization, and effective communication to meet deadlines.

Research Assistant

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)Contract EmployeeOct 2021 - Jun 2022 • 9 mosScoped the landscape of existing research and extracted key insights to guide project direction. Steered the design and analysis of a survey in tandem with cross-faculty researchers, yielding data crucial for intervention development.

Teaching Assistant

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)Sep 2020 - Oct 2020 • 2 mosAssisted in the teaching of the course Computational Thinking, a core course in the university's Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science curriculums. Ensured the students' understanding of course material by hosting weekly exercise sessions and offering regular channels of communication during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Education

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)

Bachelor of Science, Artificial Intelligence2019 - 2022

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