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About me &
my career

I am a passionate Graphic Design student with a strong focus on digital design, where I strive to create captivating visual experiences that put the user at the center. As technology continues to shape our world, I believe in the power of design to enhance communication, foster connections, and elevate user experiences.

Patrick van den Akker

Digital Design Apprentice

Yes, you got it, that is me, surrounded by a group of amazing people. A group of people I have the pleasure with of working together with every day. Now you might wonder why this image is here. It is a fantastic example of my journey at the LEGO Group. From Cloud Enablement, to Developer Relations, to Digital Design Systems, one thing is clear; I love working with developers and creating digital solutions. From roll-up banners, to presentations for leadership, to product design. 

As a beginning Graphic Design professional, I bring a unique perspective to the dynamic realm of Product Design. In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a Graphic Design student turned professional plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between creativity and code. Through a lens finely tuned to aesthetics and user experience, I seamlessly integrate design thinking into the Design System Team, enhancing the communication of complex technical concepts.

My journey from a Graphic Design student to a seasoned practitioner has equipped me with the ability to translate intricate developer-centric information into visually compelling narratives. Whether crafting visually stunning presentations, designing intuitive interfaces for developer tools, or developing engaging multimedia content, my expertise adds a layer of accessibility and user-friendly appeal to the technical aspects of our work.

Our
Events

As a Digital Product Apprentice at the LEGO Digital Design Systems team, I play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing our design documentation on Contentstack. I have been an integral part of two significant projects: the GenAI assistant UI design and the Roomi project, where I focus on UI/UX design, user interviews, and prototyping. These experiences have honed my skills in prototyping, Figma, UI, and UX design.

Being part of the Design Systems team allows me to contribute to the creation of cohesive and efficient design components that unify the visual language across all LEGO digital products. This not only ensures a consistent user experience but also saves other departments valuable time and resources by providing ready-to-use assets and conducting user testing on their behalf.

What my colleagues say about me

Asta Paulauskaite

Senior Engineer Manager

„Patrick is an exemplary designer whose professional journey from the technical complexities of cloud computing to the creative and technical demands of design and engineering exemplifies his exceptional versatility and dedication to continuous learning. He has not only expanded his expertise as a designer, but has also excelled as an engineer.

Patrick has played a pivotal role in accelerating the progress of various development teams, particularly those specializing in containers, developer portals, APIs, and more.. In his current role within the Developer Relations team, Patrick’s leadership skills have truly come to the forefront, consistently demonstrating his ability to drive complex initiatives and guide his colleagues toward innovation and excellence.

Patrick possesses tremendous potential in technology sectors that require a blend of technical acumen, design & UX savvy, and an inspiring, forward-thinking mindset. His involvement in any project ensures a synthesis of vision, skill, and unwavering commitment, making him an invaluable asset to any organization lucky enough to secure his talents.“

  • Engineer Compute Anywhere

    Abraham Aquilar-Suazo

    Patrick’s incredible knack for bringing ideas together into innovative designs that genuinely resonate propelled him quickly, becoming the “go-to guy” for collaborating with and implementing creative solutions across different areas within the department. His unwavering commitment to our teams’ success and his ability to foster positive relationships with everyone he works with truly set him apart. His curiosity, enthusiasm and dedication to creativity reflect the essence of the LEGO Group’s values, making him an invaluable asset to our teams.

  • Software Engineer Cloud Enablement

    Brith Kyhn

    In my working with Patrick it was clear that he was always ahead of the game, brimming with fresh ideas. He brings with him the best of the LEGO values with his creative mindset, willingness to learn and improve in everything he brings to projects without compromising on quality. With a genuine care for the team and a passion for making a real difference through collaboration, he’s an absolute joy to work with.

  • Senior Engineering Manager

    Jacob Avlund

    Working with Patrick, is, unfailingly, a joyous experience. Every time I reach out to him about a project where I need his expertise – which can be as simple as a layout or graphics task, or as complex as creating a bigger design suite that fits into the overall brand narrative – he not only works with the task, but takes ownership and spars with me continuously until we end up with a great result. Patrick is currently an intern here, but one wouldn’t know as he takes responsibility and shows proactiveness as a senior colleague. The finished product he delivers is outstanding, but what really shines here is his resolve to both make the task his own as well as ensure clear communication during the entirety of the process. On top of that, his ability to juggle a substantial number of tasks for a variety of different stakeholders simultaneously and still deliver the results he does is nothing short of impressive. I hope I’ll have many years working alongside Patrick in the future

  • Director Hosting Platforms

    Philip Haugaard

    I give my highest recommendation for Patrick who served as a digital design intern on my teams for approximately three years. From the very start, it was clear that Patrick was a perfect fit for our team dynamic. He skillfully translated often vague requirements into polished, innovative design proposals that significantly elevated our communication and design in DX & Cloud.

    One of Patrick’s strengths is his remarkable ability to tune into both the needs of the team and the needs of our users. He consistently delivered creative solutions that aligned with our product goals while ensuring a first-rate user experience. Beyond his technical and artistic talent, Patrick’s high emotional intelligence is an asset, contributing to a supportive and positive team culture. His collaborative spirit, combined with his strong sense of empathy, made him a pleasure to work with and earned him the trust and respect of his colleagues.

    Patrick’s commitment to excellence is evident in his work ethic and the quality of his deliverables. He is both intelligent and driven, always going the extra mile to ensure that deadlines are met, and expectations are exceeded. His ability to handle short deadline challenges with composure and creativity was a tremendous asset to our teams.

    It has been a pleasure to see Patrick grow during his time with us, and I am delighted to congratulate him on his upcoming graduation. I have no doubt that he will be a valuable addition to any team fortunate enough to have him.