About me
I’m a product development undergraduate from the Netherlands. I studied at the University of Antwerp and lived there for five years. Now I’m ready to do whatever comes next.
I’ve always been interested into technology. When I was three years old, my favorite toy was a tin filled with bolts and nuts. Searching for the right M5 nut to crown my sandwich of washers was my own little game back then. Not long after, I discovered Legos and those stayed with me for a long time.
Much later in life I started building my own computer and repair phones. To do those things for the first time felt like a real challenge but finishing those little projects was really satisfying. I don’t like it when I use a device and not know what’s going on inside. It invokes a feeling of discomfort. R.I.P. all the stuff I dismantled but couldn’t reassemble.
About me
I’m a product development undergraduate from the Netherlands. I studied at the University of Antwerp and lived there for five years. Now I’m ready to do whatever comes next.
I’ve always been interested into technology. When I was three years old, my favorite toy was a tin filled with bolts and nuts. Searching for the right M5 nut to crown my sandwich of washers was my own little game back then. Not long after, I discovered Legos and those stayed with me for a long time.
Much later in life I started building my own computer and repair phones. To do those things for the first time felt like a real challenge but finishing those little projects was really satisfying. I don’t like it when I use a device and not know what’s going on inside. It invokes a feeling of discomfort. R.I.P. all the stuff I dismantled but failed to reassemble.
Design philosophy
Perfection is not achievable at the same time as creation. In my opinion, a product should never stop evolving. Don’t get me wrong. Every good product needs a strong base to depart from but there is a misconception that perfection can be realized in one iteration.
Tonci
Before I went to Antwerp, I was a chef in an Italian restaurant. I’ve worked there with a lot of Italian cooks, who didn’t speak Dutch. Therefore, the spoken language in the kitchen was a mix of English and Italian. One day, when I was celebrating my birthday, I got a text from the cook I was working with at the time: “Congratulations Tonci <3”. So the origin of Tonci lies in the misspelled, Italianized, diminutive of my name: Teun.
Design philosophy
Perfection is not achievable at the same time as creation. In my opinion, a product should never stop evolving. Don’t get me wrong. Every good product needs a strong base to depart from but there is a misconception that perfection can be realized in one iteration.
Tonci
Before I went to Antwerp, I was a chef in an Italian restaurant. I’ve worked there with a lot of Italian cooks, who didn’t speak Dutch. Therefore, the spoken language in the kitchen was a mix of English and Italian. One day, when I was celebrating my birthday, I got a text from the cook I was working with at the time: “Congratulations Tonci <3”. So the origin of Tonci lies in the misspelled, Italianized, diminutive of my name: Teun.
Background
I’m a product development undergraduate from the Netherlands. I studied at the University of Antwerp and lived there for five years. Now I’m ready to do whatever comes next.
I’ve always been interested into technology. When I was three years old, my favorite toy was a tin filled with bolts and nuts. Searching for the right M5 nut to crown my sandwich of washers was my own little game back then. Not long after, I discovered Legos and those stayed with me for a long time.
Much later in life I started building my own computer and repair phones. To do those things for the first time felt like a real challenge but finishing those little projects was really satisfying. I don’t like it when I use a device and not know what’s going on inside. It invokes a feeling of discomfort. R.I.P. all the stuff I dismantled but failed to reassemble.
Traits
Skills
Experience
May 2022-December 2022
De onderneming b.v.
DRAUGHTSMAN/ENGINEER
Along with my brother, we founded a company together. Eventually, we started a webshop in e scooters where we initially started drop shipping. We made a few sales but our suppliers weren’t reliable enough so we pulled the plug. We didn’t make a lot of money but we did learn much from it.
2021-2022
Nieuw Golden Rose
Food deliverer
This chinese restaurant I’ve known for a long time. It’s across the street from my old school and it's one of the best chinese restaurants in the city. I learned a lot about Chinese food and culture there.
2019-Today
Graafmans V.O.F.
Co-founder
Along with my brother, we founded a company together. Eventually, we started a webshop in e scooters where we initially started drop shipping. We made a few sales but our suppliers weren’t reliable enough so we pulled the plug. We didn’t make a lot of money but we did learn much from it.
2018-2019
My Jewellery
Orderpicker
My jewellery is an online webshop with some stores spread throughout the Netherlands. Besides jewellery they also sell other accessories and clothing.
2011-2016
Da Vinci
Cook/chef
Da Vinci was a little cozy Italian restaurant where I started helping in the kitchen. After some time I started working as a waiter and bartender but eventually I ended up back in the kitchen. I learned how to cook from several chefs. The last year I worked there I became the chef myself.
2009-2011
Roels
Dishwasher/Cook
At Roels I had my first job at the age of 15. I started as a dishwasher and after a year I started making salads and lunch. Roels is a pretty big restaurant which opened as early as 12:00 and in the weekend closed at 02:00.
Education
2016-2021
Universiteit Antwerpen
Product development
Product development is a very versatile study where you learn a bit of everything. I’m not an engineer but I know a thing or two about engineering. Same goes for art, biology, chemistry, economics, physics, psychology and more. Although I’m not an expert in all of the above, I’m still glad I got the basic level of understanding in them all. This helps me to make purposeful decisions in my designs.
2007-2016
Sint Jans Lyceum
Vwo
After elementary school you will be sent to middle school in the Netherlands. I was sent to VWO which is in English: preparation for scientific education. Everybody needs to pick a direction in the fourth grade, where I chose a combination of "nature and technology" and "nature and health". This meant it was focused around physics, chemistry, biology and math.