Erik Rutten
Senior UX Designer
"Exact offers an excellent work-life balance."
Erik Rutten works as a Senior UX Designer. He is the Team Lead for a close-knit group of colleagues. They work together to ensure that Exact's mobile and online applications are user-friendly. "I am trusted and have freedom in my work. Our team is a recent addition which keeps getting included in more projects."
Before joining Exact, Erik worked at a design agency in Amsterdam. Prior to that he worked for a wide range of clients on a freelance basis, tackling both smaller and more extensive projects. "I chose to join Exact because I wanted to work in a corporate environment where I'd really get to understand the user's DNA, and that of the organisation too."
Well-Oiled Teamwork
In his first year and a half at Exact, Erik took a deep dive into his work. "I wanted to ensure that the application I was working on looked really good and was user-friendly. I'm a conceptual thinker; everything I do revolves around the user." During that time Erik and his colleagues forged a tight bond, becoming a well-oiled team thanks to the scrum method.
Design System
The effort that Erik and his team put into designing their mobile administrative application did not go unnoticed. He is now the UX Team Lead, supervising the design and white labelling of mobile and online applications for companies acquired by Exact. "We created a design system for online applications and are currently working on a mobile design system. This will allow us to rapidly provide acquired companies' applications with the Exact look and feel."
Daddy Day
Wednesday is Erik's day to work from home, or as he calls it, his 'Getting things done' day. "I can spend the whole day working on a design or doing administration, with the dog by my feet and the cat perched on the desk." Friday is his 'Daddy day', when he spends time with his kids.
Beach Clean-Up
Erik is always eager to participate in CSR activities (corporate social responsibility). Last year he helped make up packages for the food bank and he and his team cleaned up the beach on Schiermonnikoog. "It's an uphill struggle, but every bit helps. Our UX team is currently pondering our next CSR project."
Jogging
Twice a day, Erik and his team break for coffee at the espresso bar in the atrium, where they talk about anything but work. "That builds team spirit. I also regularly go for a run between tasks. It helps clear my mind and keeps me creative. I love the fact that Exact offers such an excellent work-life balance."
