About - Maximilian Kostka

Curriculum Vitae

I am a graphic, web, and motion designer, as well as a producer of explainer videos, with over five years of experience. My expertise lies in assisting businesses and academics in effectively communicating complex concepts through clear, accurate, engaging, and visually compelling designs.

Profile

Skills

I excel in public speaking and simplifying intricate ideas for diverse audiences, whether presenting products to customers or discussing design and communication strategies with technical leads. My proficiency in leveraging the latest technologies enables me to create visuals and develop branding and design systems that effectively convey brand messages and values, fostering strong customer connections.

Passions

My passion for consistency and structured documentation enhances efficiency and facilitates the development and reuse of designs, thereby strengthening customer loyalty to products. I love collaborating on the design of processes that enhance work efficiency and benefit every team member. I specialize in planning and facilitating workshops, which I believe are the optimal method for making cross-team decisions.

Values

But above all, I value honesty and respect, which are fundamental to successful collaboration, and I am committed to accessibility, fairness, and most of all historical awareness in my work.

My Story

My Mission

I am passionate about making ideas accessible to everyone. The age of mystery cults and gatekeepers is over. That’s why I became a designer.

I believe in transforming complex information into something everyone can use and understand. Just like a well-designed vehicle allows us to drive without being mechanics, thoughtful design makes knowledge approachable.

My Journey

My fascination with complex ideas began early in life. I found beauty in decoding and interpreting the intricate ideas and structure of films by directors like Lynch, Kubrick, and Godard. This passion expanded to art history, philosophy, linguistics and theory. I thrive on understanding these complexities and explaining them in a way that reveals their beauty to others.

My Work

I have refined my ability to work with complex concepts by creating explainer videos on philosophy and art history privately, and by explaining tech products in my professional role. Additionally, I lead illustrated and animated presentations in my psychology reading group, giving back to my community by making sophisticated ideas accessible and engaging. I look forward to continuing this journey professionally, bringing clarity and understanding to all.

Education

Master Visuelle Kommunikation

Bauhaus Universität Weimar

2021 — 2022

Video production for and with the Klassik Stiftung Weimar

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Bachelor Visuelle Kommunikation

Bauhaus Universität Weimar

2017 — 2021

Production of animated image analyses on Paul Delaroche and an animated explanatory video on Hegel

1,1

Cours de langue et civilisation Français

Soubonne in Paris

February 2020-May 2020

Experience

Verimi GmbH

Full-time Graphic Designer

Since April 2022

Defining branding, social media posts, animated video ads, graphics for the press, web design, preparing graphics for printing (roll-ups, flyers, trade fair stands, T-shirts, postcards, etc.), leading workshops, defining work processes, agile working

Klassik Stiftung Weimar

Video production

October 2021 – November 2022

Production of animated image analyses on Paul Delaroche and an animated explanatory video on Hegel

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Internship

November 2020 – March 2021

Web design, digitization and cataloguing of entry books of the National Museums for provenance research in the ZEDUKUM project

Museum Fondation Maeght

Internship

June 2020 – August 2020

Apply exhibition logistics, branding of the Fondation in social media

omstudios Berlin

Internship

June 2020 – August 2020

Creating textures and illustrations for use in 3D animated short films

Techniques

At the heart of my design process lies a commitment to the essential. Striving for the essential is a guiding principle that permeates every layer of my process and output. While design is not an exact science, key factors define what we deem essential across brand and product experiences.

These elements are deeply connected to my key values of Minimalism, Scientificity, Aesthetic formalism, Accessibility. I use the following techniques to achieve designs the embody the most essential.

Double Diamond

Discover

This initial phase is all about understanding the problem space. We conduct comprehensive research to gather user insights and identify underlying issues. This stage involves: User interviews and surveys, Market analysis, Competitive benchmarking and Ethnographic studies.

Using the design strategy as a guide, I explore various design possibilities and define a new design direction. This stage includes extensive experimentation and iteration to discover the most effective and innovative solutions.

Define

In this stage, we synthesize our research findings to clearly articulate the challenge. We establish a well-defined problem statement and project scope, which guides our design efforts. Key activities include: Defining user personas and journey maps, Creating problem statements and Setting project goals and success criteria.

Clarifying and translating insights into a solid foundation and creative approach is critical. I start by gathering and analyzing insights from users and stakeholders to understand their needs and preferences. This information shapes my creative approach, ensuring it is grounded in real-world understanding

Develop

Here, we ideate and prototype potential solutions. This stage is characterized by creativity and iteration. We generate multiple ideas, build prototypes, and test them with users. The activities include: Brainstorming sessions, Sketching and wireframing, Prototyping (low-fidelity to high-fidelity), Usability testing and feedback gathering.

I funnel the creative approach into concrete concepts and a robust design strategy. This involves defining the core ideas and strategic direction that will guide the design process, aligning with objectives and user needs.

Develop

The final design direction is then brought to life through meticulous production and implementation. I ensure consistency and quality across all touchpoints, creating a cohesive and impactful user experience.

It is also important in this process to make a clear distinction between output and outcome, whereby the latter must follow the former.

Outcome

The outcome of our design process is the lasting impact our work has on users and the broader community. It is measured by the value it delivers, the positive changes it fosters, and its alignment with our vision for a better future. Outcomes reflect the real-world benefits and long-term success of our solutions.

Output

The output of our design process includes the tangible products, services, and experiences we create. These are the visible results of our efforts, such as a new app, website, or physical product. While outputs are important milestones, they are only meaningful if they contribute to achieving valuable outcomes.