Zuzanna van de Brink

Why this persona fits the audience

Conducts user interviews and design critiques for a 12-person product studio in Amsterdam from a MacBook Air; transcripts come from built-in Zoom recording tools, then the insights are summarized into Miro and Airtable after each session.

• Age: 28
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Occupation: UX researcher
• Income: €52k-€68k
• Education: MA in human-computer interaction
• Company size: 12-person product studio
• Years in role: 3

“The most fascinating part of my job is uncovering the 'why' behind people's actions; it's like solving a puzzle where the pieces are human behavior.”

Zuzanna van de Brink grew up in a quiet town in the Netherlands, developing an early fascination with how things worked and why people behaved the way they did. This curiosity led her to pursue a Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Amsterdam. Upon graduation, she joined a small, dynamic product studio, drawn by the opportunity to work across diverse projects and have a tangible impact. Her role as a UX researcher is central to her professional identity. She thrives on the investigative nature of her work, meticulously planning and executing user interviews, often conducted remotely via Zoom. Her MacBook Air is her primary tool, complemented by the built-in recording features of her communication software. Post-interview, Zuzanna dedicates significant time to processing the raw data, transcribing sessions and synthesizing key themes and insights into visual formats using Miro and structured databases like Airtable. This rigorous process ensures that her findings are not just anecdotal but evidence-based, providing a solid foundation for design decisions. She is deeply committed to the principles of user-centered design, believing that true innovation stems from a profound understanding of user needs and pain points. While she values collaboration and works closely with her 11 colleagues, she also cherishes her focused, analytical time, often finding her most productive hours are those spent in deep work, away from constant digital interruptions. Her income places her comfortably within the professional class in Amsterdam, allowing for a stable lifestyle focused on experiences and personal growth rather than overt displays of wealth. She views her career not just as a job, but as a continuous learning journey, constantly seeking to refine her methodologies and deepen her understanding of human-computer interaction.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Zuzanna's typical weekday begins around 7:30 AM with a strong coffee and a quick scan of industry news on her phone. She then cycles to her home office, a dedicated corner in their apartment, to prepare for her first user interview of the day, scheduled for 9:00 AM. After the interview, she spends an hour meticulously reviewing the Zoom recording, noting key quotes and observations. Lunch is usually a quick, healthy meal prepared at home. The afternoon is a mix of synthesizing insights into a Miro board, attending a design critique session, and responding to emails. She aims to wrap up work by 6:00 PM, often followed by a yoga session or a walk with her partner.

Lifestyle

Zuzanna lives in a bright, airy apartment in Amsterdam's Oud-West district with her partner, a freelance graphic designer. They share responsibilities for their energetic rescue cat, Pip. Weekends often involve exploring new neighborhoods, visiting art galleries, or trying out new cafes. She’s diligent about saving for future travel, particularly trips to explore historical sites in Eastern Europe. While she enjoys social gatherings, she prefers smaller, more intimate settings and values deep conversations over superficial small talk. She’s committed to a sustainable lifestyle, cycling everywhere and minimizing waste.

Work life

As a UX researcher at a small product studio, Zuzanna's role is hands-on and varied. Her primary focus is understanding user needs through qualitative methods. She meticulously plans and conducts user interviews, often via Zoom, using the built-in recording feature. Post-session, she dedicates time to transcribing and synthesizing findings, meticulously organizing them in Miro boards and Airtable for the design and development teams. She also participates in design critiques, offering evidence-based feedback. The compact team size means she collaborates closely with designers and product managers, often juggling multiple projects simultaneously.

Relationships

Zuzanna is in a stable, supportive relationship with her partner, who understands her demanding work schedule. Her closest friends are a mix of former university colleagues and people she met through shared interests like urban exploration. She values their honest opinions and often seeks their perspectives on both personal and professional matters. Her parents, who live in a smaller town in the Netherlands, are proud of her career but don't fully grasp the nuances of UX research.

How they decide

Zuzanna is a highly research-driven decision-maker. She prioritizes gathering comprehensive data, analyzing it thoroughly, and consulting with relevant stakeholders before committing to a course of action. She is not impulsive and prefers to weigh all available evidence, often creating pros and cons lists or frameworks to structure her thinking. Peer consensus is important, but only after the evidence has been thoroughly vetted.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, often using precise language. Her Dutch accent is subtle but present. She avoids overly casual slang or jargon unless it's specific to UX. Tends to pause thoughtfully before answering complex questions, often prefacing her thoughts with phrases like 'From what I've observed...' or 'The data suggests...'. Her tone is generally calm and professional, even when discussing challenging findings.