Hi, my name is
Stefanie Kruse
I am a Hamburg-based product designer with a passion for creating impactful and sustainable digital products. I believe in combining lean product management with sustainable UX design practices to create products that benefit everyone—businesses, users, and the planet.
I have worked for OTTO, MOIA, LichtBlick, Nitrobox, DayOff, and Plan International.
Multi-disciplinary product enthusiast with 10+ years experience in tech
Let’s reThink product development.
I firmly believe that reThinking product development and shifting our focus from delivery to discovery, risk reduction, and holistic design, we can build those impactful and sustainable digital products that humanity and the planet deserve and that will serve a business even 10 years from now.
I am keen to work with dynamic and impact-driven organizations—from start-ups to corporates to NGOs. If you share my passion for creating impactful and sustainable digital products, I would love to work with you.
You can find information on how your data is processed in my privacy policy.
million tons of CO2 emissions are caused by the internet every year.
That’s why we need to reThink our product development practices.
My Vision …
… is a world where we use our advancing technology not to the detriment of the planet but to support humanity in the endeavor of living sustainably for generations to come.
My Mission …
… is to create digital products that help businesses and consumers implement sustainable practices while reducing the negative impacts of these products and their creation.
My Values
#growth and #authenticity drive me, and I thrive in diverse teams that foster open discussions, smart failures, and innovative solutions for tangible results.
My journey to sustainable product design
After successfully managing products in a variety of industries and leading cross-functional product teams, I have refocused my career towards lean and sustainable product design to increase my impact.
My experience in product management has given me a deep understanding of the entire product development life-cycle, from concept to delivery, and has honed my skills in strategic planning, project management, and stakeholder collaboration. Now, as product designer, I leverage my diverse skill set to create innovative solutions that align with my sustainability-focused approach.
2015
Volunteering for sustainability
My interest in sustainability sparked in 2015 when I worked in Costa Rica and had the chance to explore its stunning nature. I became a content creator and visual designer for AIESEC (the world’s largest student organization) promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, most of all #SDG12 Responsible Consumption & Production.
2017
Starting my UX journey with a B2B product
As an IT consultant I supported the product owner in a project to develop a trading and logistics application for the coffee trade (yes, that also began my obsession with great coffee).
Since there was no UX designer on the team, I did user research, wireframing, and usability testing and fell in love with UX design.
2018
Becoming a Certified UX & Usability Expert
After attending a training to enhance my skills and learn more about the design thinking process, I got certified by the XDi Experience Design Institute in Berlin.
2019
Managing products for a better future
Driven by the motivation to make the world a better place, I selected product management roles with a positive impact: Helping car manufacturers monetize service business models. Making electric ridesharing accessible for people with disabilities. Selling green energy to households across Germany.
2022
Joining the Sustainable UX Network
I discovered the Sustainable UX Network and became aware of all the negative impacts that our products cause in terms of the environment but also social inequities. This motivated me to incorporate sustainable design practices in my work: I immersed myself into Sustainable Web Design, Ethical Design, Accessibility & Inclusion.
2023
Fully shifting to UX Design
After spending 6 years in product management roles, with decreasing opportunities to impact user experience or product strategy, I chose to leverage my skills as a product designer and sustainability advocate to maximize my impact. I focus on lean product development to also treat organizations’ (human and financial) resources responsibly and sustainably.
Want me on your team?
I am currently available for freelance and contract work in the Hamburg area or remotely throughout the EU.
Whether you’re looking for a UX designer or want to chat about sustainable product development — feel free to reach out.
I’ll respond within 2 business days. You can also find me on LinkedIn or email me directly.
Or you can simply pick a spot on my calendar for a free call to discuss how I can support you best:
Looking forward to hearing from you!
You can find information on how your data is processed in my privacy policy.
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