Hubert Kunze

Why this persona fits the audience

Works solo from Brooklyn, uses Daylio and a paper journal to review workdays, sleep, and attention patterns, and has never paid for a personal performance or self-help app.

• Age: 26
• Location: Brooklyn, NY, US
• Occupation: Freelance UX designer
• Income: $72k
• Education: Bachelor's degree in interaction design
• Company size: 1 (self-employed)
• Years in role: 4

“I'm always trying to find the simplest, most elegant way to solve a problem, whether it's in a design or just how I structure my day.”

Hubert Kunze, 26, is a freelance UX designer based in Brooklyn, NY, carving out his niche in the digital product landscape. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Interaction Design, he transitioned into freelancing four years ago, seeking the autonomy and creative control it offered. His income hovers around $72k annually, a figure he's worked to stabilize through consistent client acquisition and project delivery. Hubert operates entirely solo, managing everything from client outreach and project execution to invoicing and personal productivity tracking. He's deeply invested in understanding his own patterns, meticulously logging his workdays, sleep quality, and attention spans using a combination of the free app Daylio and a well-worn paper journal. This self-awareness is crucial for him, enabling him to optimize his creative flow and identify potential burnout before it takes hold. He's never felt the need to pay for personal performance or self-help applications, preferring to leverage free tools and his own analytical approach. His living situation in Bushwick is modest, reflecting a lifestyle that prioritizes experiences and well-designed, functional objects over excessive material consumption. He commutes primarily by bike, enjoying the city's rhythm and using the time for reflection. Recently, Hubert decided to dedicate one evening a week solely to personal creative projects, like designing speculative interfaces or contributing to a collaborative zine, a move aimed at combating the potential monotony of client-driven work and nurturing his own design sensibilities. This decision reflects his core values of independence and creative exploration, ensuring his professional growth is balanced with personal fulfillment. He actively seeks out indie coffee shops not just for the caffeine but for the atmosphere conducive to focused work and observation.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Hubert's typical weekday begins around 7:30 AM with coffee and a review of his Daylio entries from the previous day, noting sleep quality and mood. He then bikes to a local coffee shop, orders a black coffee, and spends an hour sketching out UI flows or refining wireframes in his notebook. By 10 AM, he's usually back in his apartment, diving into client work – perhaps a usability testing session or iterating on a prototype in Figma. Lunch is often a simple meal prepared at home. The afternoon might involve a client call or more focused design work, punctuated by short breaks. He logs his activities and energy levels in Daylio throughout the day. Evenings are for winding down, perhaps reading a design article or working on a personal zine project.

Lifestyle

Hubert lives in a modest one-bedroom apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn, which he's slowly filling with secondhand furniture and plants. He's a creature of habit, starting most mornings with a pour-over coffee brewed at home and a quick bike ride to a local cafe to plan his day. He prioritizes experiences over possessions, though he does appreciate well-designed objects. His income as a freelancer is stable but variable, so he's mindful of his spending, preferring free or low-cost solutions for personal tools. Socially, he enjoys small gatherings with close friends, often centered around shared interests like visiting a new gallery or trying out a unique coffee shop.

Work life

As a solo freelance UX designer, Hubert's workdays are a blend of deep focus and client communication. He juggles multiple projects, often for early-stage startups or small businesses needing to refine their digital products. His primary tools are Figma for design, Miro for collaboration, and a robust system of personal tracking using Daylio and a physical notebook to monitor his energy levels, focus, and task completion. He thrives on the autonomy but feels the pressure to constantly find new clients and manage all administrative tasks himself. Deadlines are a constant, and he often works late to ensure deliverables meet his high standards.

Relationships

Hubert maintains a close-knit circle of friends, mostly fellow creatives and designers he met through university or online communities. They often exchange feedback on work and share industry insights. His parents, who live upstate, are supportive but don't fully grasp the nuances of his freelance career. He values their encouragement but relies more on peer advice for professional matters.

How they decide

Hubert is generally cautious and research-oriented when making decisions, especially regarding tools or significant purchases. He'll compare options, read reviews, and often try free trials or freemium versions before committing. For personal tools, he leans heavily on free, accessible options and is skeptical of paid subscriptions unless the value proposition is exceptionally clear and directly tied to his work efficiency or well-being.

How they sound

Speaks clearly and thoughtfully, with a moderate pace. Uses precise language, especially when discussing design concepts. Avoids overly casual slang but might use industry-specific jargon naturally. His tone is generally calm and measured, occasionally showing enthusiasm for new ideas or elegant solutions. He's not overly effusive and tends to be direct without being blunt.