DRIEK.DEV
Where Thoughtful design meets reliable engineering
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Hello
I'm Driek
Passionate full stack developer who loves building frontends that look good and feel right, paired with backends that stay simple and efficient. Casual coffee drinker and professional tea enjoyer. Programmer by day and techno producer by night. Watches F1 only to weep as the prancing horse trips over itself, while half my brain is busy storing the metas of far too many 4X strategy games.
Story
I want to begin with my story because these moments shaped who I am today. I have always wondered how much of people's stories is real because most only share the polished parts. I choose to be honest instead. These were the moments that challenged me and helped me grow.
High school
High school and I never fully aligned. Traditional studying and structured homework were difficult for me, which eventually meant moving from VWO to VMBO TL. Later in life I learned why, and more importantly, how to work with the way I focus. What stayed with me is that progress comes from taking responsibility for your own development. Step by step I learned how to structure my work, manage my attention and turn challenges into something productive.
Global Exchange
After that period I joined Xplore for a three week global citizen exchange in India. It was the first time I stepped far outside my own environment. We supported local communities by helping build school facilities and teaching English to children. The experience was intense and inspiring because it taught me how much perspective you gain when you choose to operate outside your comfort zone. It strengthened my interest in people, culture and purpose driven work.
Volunteer work
When I returned home I wanted to contribute closer to where I lived. For four years I volunteered at my local scouting group and guided children aged one to eleven each week. It required patience, clear communication and consistency. More than anything it taught me how to show up for others and stay reliable even when life gets busy. These lessons shaped how I approach teamwork today.
Gaming
In my free time I enjoy strategy games. They let me experiment, think several steps ahead and work with complex systems. These games challenge the same problem solving mindset I use in my work because they combine creativity, structure and long term thinking. My current favourite is EU5 which is a surprisingly good way to keep my brain sharp.
Music
During the lockdowns I started experimenting with electronic music. Mixing and producing gave me a creative outlet that felt very different from anything I had done before. Music keeps me curious and open to new ideas because it rewards experimentation and play. I try to bring that same curiosity and willingness to explore into my projects.
Travel
Travel is the one thing I consistently invest in because it broadens my perspective. My first trip to Japan confirmed that. The culture, the food and the intentional way people move through daily life resonated with me. It reminded me that there are many ways to approach life and creativity. I plan to return in 2027 to explore the southern regions and continue learning from the country that inspires me most.
Skills
A comprehensive overview of my technical and interpersonal skills, built through years of practical experience and continuous learning. These capabilities form the foundation of how I approach problems and deliver solutions.
Hard skills
JavaScript and TypeScript
I write clear and scalable application logic. I understand complex patterns and can structure projects in a way that keeps them maintainable as they grow.
Next.js and React
I build fast and modern web applications with a strong focus on clean architecture, reusable components and predictable data flow.
Frontend development
I create interfaces that feel natural and stay easy to work on. I focus on usability, clarity and code that remains reliable over time.
AI engineering
I build practical AI tools that solve real problems. I enjoy turning abstract models into something teams can use in their daily work.
Infrastructure and integration engineering
I design backends that stay clear at scale and connect services in a predictable, efficient way.
React Native
I build mobile apps that use native capabilities while keeping the codebase organised and easy to maintain.
Go
I write structured Go code and use it for fast backend services that remain simple to reason about.
Python
I use Python for automation, data exploration and AI powered tooling. I approach it as a practical language for speeding up development.
Databases and SQL
I work confidently with relational databases. I write SQL that is efficient, readable and scalable.
Docker
I use Docker to create consistent development environments and reliable deployment setups.
Git
I keep my work organised with Git and collaborate efficiently with others through clear commits and branches.
Technical research
I quickly search, compare and translate online information into workable solutions. I spot patterns fast and adapt them to the project at hand.
Languages
I speak Dutch and English fluently and I am learning Japanese. I am currently working towards a C2 English certification and a N5 Japanese certification.
Soft skills
Problem solving
I take messy problems and shape them into something clear and workable. I rely on logic, research and experimentation to find a solid path forward.
Human centered design
I consider the person behind the product and adjust the design to support them without adding friction.
Adaptability and continuous growth
I adjust quickly when the situation changes and I enjoy learning. I ask questions, try new approaches and improve my work through feedback.
Teamwork
I work well with others because I like exchanging ideas, discussing different viewpoints and building better solutions together.
Communication and empathy
I communicate in a way that stays clear and easy to follow. I listen well, ask the right questions and try to understand what others need.
Experience
My professional journey in software development, focusing on creating impactful solutions through thoughtful engineering and continuous learning.
35 - Full Stack Developer
I joined 35 in September 20205, starting as an intern and later becoming a parttimer alongside my bachelor degree. The team works with major clients such as Bose Corperation and Greenchoice, as well as regional organizations that create real impact such as Sevagram and Cicero. Amongst other things we focus on helping companies understand where AI can strengthen their workflow. This creates a mix of technical depth and practical problem solving that fits the way I like to build, AI powered but human centered.
My own work centers on creating reliable and thoughtful frontend experiences, developing internal AI tools that make day to day work easier, and shaping backend architectures that are simple to reason about. Working in this environment has taught me how to move quickly while staying precise, and how to design solutions that scale without becoming complicated.
Education
My educational journey has shaped both my technical foundation and my approach to building meaningful software. From foundational programming skills to human-centered design principles, each step has contributed to how I work today.
HBO Bachelor CMD
Education
During my Bachelor Communication and Multimedia Design I learned to focus on who I am building for instead of only thinking about the technical side. I studied human centered design, user experience design, user testing and the idea that every product needs a clear reason to exist. This helped me shift from making features to shaping experiences that solve real world problems. I am currently in my final year of my bachelor and am looking forward to graduating in 2026.
Internship
I completed my internship at 35 which later grew into my current part time role. This gave me the space to apply everything from my studies in real projects while learning how design thinking and engineering work together in practice. At 35 I worked on a wide range of projects, from building AI focussed tools to designing and developing websites for clients.
Application and Media Development
Education
During my MBO in Application and Media Development I learned the foundations of programming and the principles that shape how software works. I worked with core languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and C#, and learned how to structure databases and build full CRUD systems from the ground up. This gave me a steady base for everything I do now, I didnt just learn how to develop, but how to engineer.
Internship
I completed my 6 month internship at Pixelplus where I had my first real experience working inside a digital agency. This is where I learned to work with Laravel PHP at a practical level and discovered how much value you can get from good libraries and well designed REST API integrations. It was also the first moment where building production ready features became the standard, which helped me understand how to approach software with intention rather than only with theory.