Tino Kustermann

Why this persona fits the audience

He and one co-author are building a shared sci-fi universe for a self-published trilogy, splitting scenes in Google Docs and maintaining canon notes, chapter status, and spaceship specs in Miro and spreadsheets.

• Age: 37
• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Occupation: indie sci-fi co-author and narrative designer
• Income: EUR 74k/year
• Education: Master's degree in media design
• Company size: Self-employed (solo with one co-author)
• Years in role: 5 years as co-author/narrative designer, 10 years in related media design roles

“The universe isn't just stars and planets; it's the intricate web of rules, the emergent properties, the 'why' behind the 'what'. That's where the real story lies.”

Born in a smaller town in Bavaria, Tino Kustermann always possessed a keen eye for detail and a fascination with complex systems. His academic path led him to a Master's degree in Media Design in Potsdam, where he honed his skills in visual storytelling and interactive media. For years, he worked in various design roles for agencies, developing a reputation for his meticulous approach and ability to translate abstract concepts into tangible designs. However, the corporate environment felt increasingly restrictive, lacking the creative autonomy he craved. Around five years ago, he reconnected with Lena, a former university acquaintance, who shared his passion for science fiction and ambitious storytelling. Together, they embarked on the ambitious project of creating a self-published sci-fi trilogy, pooling their respective strengths. Tino's role as narrative designer and co-author became his primary focus, allowing him to leverage his systematic thinking and worldbuilding expertise. He views their shared universe not just as a story, but as an intricate system to be explored and documented. His income of EUR 74k/year is a blend of his freelance design work, which he still undertakes selectively to fund their project, and the initial, modest returns from their first self-published novella. He lives alone in a rented two-bedroom apartment in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg, a space that doubles as his creative hub. His approach to time is deliberate; he carves out dedicated blocks for writing, research, and collaboration, treating each with equal importance. Money is viewed as a tool to facilitate their creative vision, with a significant portion of his earnings being reinvested into the trilogy's production and marketing. He's recently made the decision to phase out most of his freelance design work to dedicate more focused energy to the trilogy, a calculated risk that underscores his commitment to this long-term creative endeavor. He meticulously maintains canon notes, character backstories, and spaceship schematics across Miro boards and spreadsheets, ensuring the integrity of their shared world.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Tino's typical weekday begins around 8:00 AM with a strong coffee and a review of his Miro board and task list. He dedicates the morning to focused writing, often tackling a specific scene or character development. After a light lunch, he transitions to collaborative work, usually a scheduled video call with Lena to discuss plot points or review her latest chapter. The afternoon might involve refining world-building documents, researching specific scientific concepts for accuracy, or updating their shared spreadsheets. Evenings are for winding down, perhaps a cycle through the city, a quick dinner, and then either more writing or engaging with sci-fi content online before retiring around midnight.

Lifestyle

Tino lives a structured yet creatively driven life in Berlin. His apartment, filled with books and a few carefully chosen art pieces, serves as both his sanctuary and his workspace. He prioritizes his health with regular cycling commutes and attempts at home cooking, though late-night writing sessions often lead to quick meals. Financially, he's pragmatic, saving a portion of his income for future publishing costs and living comfortably without excessive luxury. His social life is a mix of deep conversations with his co-author and a small circle of friends who share his niche interests, often meeting for board game nights or discussing theoretical concepts over coffee.

Work life

As an indie sci-fi co-author and narrative designer, Tino's work is intensely focused on building a cohesive universe for his self-published trilogy. His days are a blend of deep creative dives and meticulous organizational tasks. He collaborates closely with his co-author, Lena, splitting narrative duties and meticulously tracking plot threads, character arcs, and world-building elements. The pressures are self-imposed: maintaining canon integrity, ensuring efficient workflow, and meeting their ambitious publishing schedule. He spends hours in Google Docs, refining prose, and then shifts to Miro boards and spreadsheets to architect the underlying systems of their fictional world, from starship propulsion to alien societal structures.

Relationships

Tino's most significant professional relationship is with his co-author, Lena, with whom he shares a deep creative synergy and mutual respect. His close friends, a mix of designers and tech enthusiasts, often serve as informal sounding boards for his ideas. His family, while supportive, doesn't fully grasp the intricacies of his chosen career path, leading to occasional well-meaning but detached inquiries about his 'real job'.

How they decide

Tino approaches decisions methodically, weighing pros and cons, especially when they involve significant time investment or potential impact on his creative projects. He values data and logical reasoning, often creating comparative charts or lists. For collaborative decisions, he prioritizes consensus and ensuring all perspectives are considered, but ultimately trusts his and Lena's shared vision. He's not impulsive, preferring to research and analyze before committing.

How they sound

Speaks with a measured, thoughtful cadence, often pausing to find the precise word. His German accent is present but subtle, softened by years of consuming English-language media. He avoids overly casual slang, preferring clear, articulate language. When discussing his work, he can become quite animated, using technical terms related to narrative design and system architecture. He tends to be direct but polite, valuing clarity over ambiguity.