Design coaching

1 hour • Google Meet or in my studio (Utrecht, NL) • € 85,-

Feeling stuck in your design process? Do you want to become a better designer but do you miss guidance? I can help you out! After our session you will feel creative confidence, have gained new insights and are able to take the next step.

As a design coach I support you in your challenges and I help you to grow professionally. You can think of the following topics:

  • Guidance in your design process

  • Discussing a concrete approach on how to achieve your goals

  • Feedback on your portfolio and resume

  • Advice on career choice or internship

  • Starting out as a freelancer and what this involves

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How it works

Good to know

1

Schedule a session

You choose a date and time that suits you best. In the form there is room to describe your challenge and situation. Anything that can help me to get a good picture of your challenge (e.g. portfolio or a prototype) is welcome.
2

Payment transfer

After scheduling a session, you'll receive a payment request. The payment runs through iDeal or bank transfer. The payment must be made before the start of our session.
3

Let's talk!

We will start the video call via Google Meet on the date and time you have chosen. In about 1 hour we will work together on the challenge you have. There is plenty of room for you to ask questions and the possibility to share your screen so that I can have a look at your design process.

Are you a student? Then you are eligible for a discount upon submission of proof of registration. For a virtual coaching session you then pay € 45 per session. All prices are incl. 21% VAT.

What kind of designer are you?

To make sure this benefits you

A coaching session with me is particularly suitable for creatives of all levels who are open to feedback and who want to work on their own development. If any of these fit your situation, then coaching can be a great enabler of your growth:
  • a student or recently graduated, and looking for a suitable internship or first job
  • the only designer within a company that needs guidance
  • a designer who would like to improve, but who is not sure where to start
  • someone who wants to make the career switch to UX / UI designer, but is unclear where to start
Unsure if this is something for you? Feel free to get in touch!
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What you can expect from me

The starting point of our session

Efficiently to the core

Others say that I am a good listener and I see that as a compliment. In conversations I manage quite quickly to distinguish main issues from side issues. That is to your advantage, because it will help us get to the core of the challenge ahead more quickly.

Positive and constructive feedback

I provide you with clear advice so that you can continue immediately. But the things that go well are just as important in my view. That is why I will always mention what goes well and what you can be proud of. Feel free to give me feedback too, win-win!

Honest and direct observations

By mirroring your behavior, I can give you insights that you may not want to hear. But it is precisely this, sometimes painful, uneasiness that allows you to grow as a person and as a professional. So always expect an honest answer from me because I want what’s best for you.

Openness and equality

We engage in dialogue based on mutual respect and challenge each other with healthy discussions. By being open about what we think and feel, trust is created and we can help each other better. I approach our conversation from equality and without judgment.

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I immediately felt at home talking to Simon as he is a careful listener who’s not afraid to open himself up. This created a safe and accessible environment where I could say anything without being judged or misunderstood. He provided me with new insights and valuable advice that I could apply immediately. I would highly recommend him for a coach meeting!

Quirine André de la Porte — UX Designer

A little bit more about me

Let’s not be strangers

Hi! 👋 I am Simon van Acht and I live in Utrecht (The Netherlands). I’ve always been curious about people’s drives, dreams and fears. This curiosity is the foundation of my work as a designer and design coach.

I’ve been told that I make prototypes faster than my own shadow. I switch very quickly between my head and gut feeling. Also, you can listen to how I see and experience things in the design field in my podcast ‘Aandacht‘ (Dutch).

In the digital design field, I have worked in various roles for more than 10 years. At digital agencies in permanent employment, but also as a freelance designer for great brands. My dream came true when I was allowed to do an internship at a design agency in New York. During my studies at Hyper Island in Stockholm, I also learned everything about group dynamics, self-reflection and leadership.

I would like to utilize my knowledge and experience to help you become a better designer.

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View my LinkedIn profile

I reached out to Simon to ask for some pointers on my portfolio. He was friendly, well prepared, and he provided me with a great list of feedback. His advice was never condescending and overall extremely valuable.

Yoel Martherus — Freelance UX/UI designer

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Any questions?

No worries, I’ve got you covered

What software is used for the video call?

The coaching session will be held via Google Meet. If this is not convenient for you, we can use other software. For example Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Will the coaching session be recorded?

No. I am not recording the conversation because I treat the conversation with you in confidence and want to guarantee our privacy. However, I can imagine that you would like to listen to our conversation later. So if you would like to record the conversation for that reason, please let me know in advance.

Can the coaching session last longer than 1 hour?

Based on my previous experience, I feel confident that we can discuss your challenge effectively in 1 hour. If it takes a few minutes longer, that’s of course no problem.

Do you want a session that is longer than 1 hour, or do you notice that multiple sessions can help you in a better way? Please look at the possibilities I offer in regards to design mentorship.

What happens if I have to cancel the coaching session last minute?

That’s too bad! We would then have to reschedule for a date and time that’s convenient for both of us. If you do not show up or cancel less than 24 hours in advance without the situation being beyond your control, I unfortunately cannot refund the full amount.

Can you send an invoice for the coaching session?

Of course, no problem! If you can send me the necessary information, I send you an invoice.

I am looking for an in-house mentor for our design team. Do you have experience with that?

For sure! At ABN AMRO and Sunweb Group I was UX Lead of a talented team of designers. With my knowledge and experience in group dynamics, self-reflection and leadership, I also support teams to be more productive and work better together. Feel free to contact me for the possibilities!