Meet the team: Kim Vroege
Kim is concept designer at Modyn. Kim aims to design complex products in a way that makes them simple and intuitive for their users. Let’s ask Kim a few questions to get to know this concept designer a little better.
When did you realize you wanted to go into product development, product engineering and cmf?
I first discovered my passion for creating during primary school, where I was constantly crafting, drawing and experimenting with new ideas.
So when it came time to choose a field of study at university, the decision was clear: industrial design engineering. It offered the ideal balance between creativity and technical knowledge, giving me the opportunity to design not only beautiful but also practical and functional objects that people could use in their daily lives.
Were you interested in creating or inventing new things as a child?
As a child, I loved creating and discovering how things worked. I was fascinated by all kinds of arts and crafts, often spending time in the garage with my dad building wooden projects or sitting with my mom at the sewing machine, helping her bring ideas to life.
How did you make your choice for the right University after secondary school?
In high school I was quickly drawn to industrial design engineering because it combined my creativity with my interest in technical subjects. This left me with two main options: TU Eindhoven or TU Delft. At the time, the distinction between the two felt quite clear, Eindhoven had a strong focus on designing products with integrated electronics, while Delft offered a broader, more open approach. Since I still believe that a good solution doesn’t always need to involve electronics, I chose to study at TU Delft.
What is your main motivation for designing and engineering new products that enrich the market?
As a concept and CMF designer, I always strive to bring something new or clever into the products I design, whether it’s a detail that makes them more convenient, more functional or simply a step ahead of the competition. I believe that the more saturated the market becomes, the more challenging this is. But it remains a key principle I keep in mind throughout the design process.
What was the most important lesson you learned in practice during those first steps in your working life at Modyn?
I actually began my career at MODYN as a trainee, seeking a design agency that would give me the opportunity to work on a wide variety of products. When MODYN reached out, it quickly proved to be a perfect fit. Although I still feel I’m at the beginning of my professional journey, MODYN has opened up a whole new world of CMF design—an area I found fascinating but had hardly encountered during my studies. I also discovered how to apply skills from my personal life in a professional context, which not only improved my abilities but also broadened my interests. Most importantly, I realized there are countless more things I want to learn and explore as I continue to grow in my career.
Why were you interested in working for MODYN?
For me, MODYN felt like the ideal design agency, as it focuses on creating a wide variety of everyday user products across different sectors. From the start, I’ve had a particular interest in designing smaller products, often aimed at children, which made MODYN a perfect match with my personal interests and design preferences.
What makes you happiest when you are designing/creating?
During the design process, I especially enjoy the moment when ideas start to take shape—building initial models or prototypes to test concepts and functionalities. These prototypes often serve as proof of concept for clients, transforming abstract ideas into tangible results. Seeing clients get excited as a concept evolves from a drawing into something real is one of the most rewarding parts of the process.
So what projects excited you most so far to work on?
I especially enjoy working on projects that combine hard and soft goods, such as strollers or baby carriers. Over time, my interests have also expanded towards styling-focused projects, where I can explore colors, create decals, and develop visual details that bring a product’s character to life.
So, when you’re not working, where can we find you? What are your hobbies and what do you like to do?
Outside of work, I often spend time at my sewing machine, creating clothes and bags for personal use while experimenting and learning along the way. I’m also very active at my sports club, not only playing, but also coaching children, managing the website and designing visuals for social media.
Tell us your dream project to work on?
At the moment, I’m particularly excited to explore projects involving bags, whether it’s a trekking bag, a bike packing bag or a child carrier. These types of projects offer the perfect combination of soft goods and CMF, allowing for more diverse and bold design choices that can respond to trends. Although I’ve only worked on a limited range of products at MODYN so far, I look forward to gaining inspiration and experience for other dream projects in the future.
Be sure to connect with Kim Vroege | LinkedIn
