Big Pitcher
Mickel van Kouwen: Freelance digital designer / director
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About Big Pitcher – Mickel van Kouwen
About
Big Pitcher
Hi! My name is Mickel van Kouwen; a freelance ‘digital designer / director’ specialized in digital design, pitch proposals & direction. I work with brands, startups, creative agencies and friends to bring ideas from concept to production without compromising on craft or story.
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My story
Flexibility, involvement and entrepreneurship are the three keywords that characterize me as a working person. After 21 years in the creative industry I have done various projects such as: building a successful company ‘Born05‘, collaborated with award winning creative agencies all over Europe, started a Bluetooth Earphone brand and helped several startups grow their idea into business. The desire to create something new with great potential gives me positive energy and great satisfaction.
Testimonials
Rene Nieuwenhuys - Code d'azur (Barcelona, Spain)
Managing Director
Mickel and I worked together on a project with a rather short deadline for a demanding client. The process was absolutely painless. Mickel is a highly talented designer with a strong client and delivery focus. He manages tight timelines with ease while consistently maintaining a high level of quality. Apart from this he is also skilled in cross-disciplinary management of other team members, ensuring that outputs of all disciplines contribute to a first-class solution for the client. I would highly recommend Mickel to anyone that needs high-end design services and I personally would love to work with him again.
Jeroen Thissen - Code d'azur (Amsterdam)
Creative Director
Working with Mickel is a treat. Next to being a super talented designer and a leader to the rest of the design team he’s also just a very sympathetic person to work with. He is fast, always speaks his mind and always work is favor of delivering great quality, which is in the end the most important factor in any design project. He is very experienced, quick on the ball and a true allround digital designer. Highly recommended.
Robbin Cenijn - Studio Nolie (Malmö, Sweden)
Founder & Design Director
Mickel was my mentor in my early days at Born05 and he teached me the way how pixelperfect design and interaction can lead to great results. He always surprised me with great outgoing ideas and his eye for detail. If you search a “out of the box” thinker, Mickel is your man!
Ronald Vermeijs - Freelance Digital Art Director
Former employee at Born05 (Utrecht)
Mickel is great at creating an online concept, that he can translate to an amazing online experience. He loves and knows brands and is able to convey their message in an engaging way. He is inspiring to work with and is a great motivator.
Recognition
SpinAwards gold 2x
SpinAwards silver 4x
SpinAwards Nomination
ADCN Golden Lamp
ADCN Bronze Lamp 2x
FWA Site of the day 6x
Lovie Awards 2x
Eurobest Bronze
Webby Honoree
Dutch VR Awards Gold
DIA Silver
SAN Nomination
The Lovie Award Shortlisted
W3 Awards Silver
W3 Awards Gold
Audi Communication Award
Customer Media Awards 3x
Experience
Founder Big Pitcher
2010 – present
A digital designer / director who creates digital experiences for startups, agencies and brands like: We Adapt, Danone, Tele2, Dr. Oetker or N=5.
Founder EÅRSSON
2019 – 2020
During the rise of Bluetooth technology I started a new earphone brand named EÅRSSON. In this period I have build a community within the BMX flatland (action) sport and also sponsored two of the best BMX riders in Europe. Next to creating the product itself, I also developed a profitable online webshop from the ground up, designed and monitored social advertising and did a lot of product management.
Founder Born05 & Creative director
2005 – 2010
Together with Sjors van Hoof and Rogier IJzermans, I started an interactive & creative company, Born05: an innovative business with emphasis on online customer loyalty products. As ‘Creative director’, I am involved with every part of the process of building new, unique online solutions: research, concept & strategy, creative direction, and also the different aspects of the production process. I can proudly say that two art directors, under my supervision, were awarded with several important awards like FWA Awards (Site of the year) and SpinAwards.
In 2009 Born05 started Creative labs. In my role as ‘new business’ owner I developed digital concepts, pitch proposals and (future) products for clients like KLM or Bol.com. As well as the creative team at Born05 had a big source of inspiration for their online ambitions.
Digital designer at VBAT
2003 – 2006
Led by Marnix Tellings I designed different websites, including the website of VBAT (one of the biggest design agencies in The Netherlands) and the Flash construction of Atos Origin during the Olympic Games.
My ambition to give online meaning to big brands started here. During my internship I developed the qualities needed to be a digital designer. As a result of that I helped VBAT win two large pitches: BNR Nieuwsradio and Het Financieel Dagblad.
Graphic designer at Touw Vormgeving
1999 – 2002
After graduating from NIMETO – Utrecht, The Netherlands, I started working as a Graphic Designer at Touw Vormgeving (a sole proprietorship). As single employee I learned what responsibility was and the opportunity to develop my designer skills.
Bachelor Digital Media Design
2002 – 2005
Art, Media & Technology at the University of Art Utrecht.
Graduation project: Versus digital magazine; an interactive prototype.
Bachelor – Cum laude
Nimeto - Advertising and presentation techniques
1995 – 1999
Trained to be a ‘visual merchandiser, who’s concerned with special design include concepts for shops, décor and graphic design.