Current work
I'm currently working at pr.co, leading a small team of programmers, setting product and company direction, and doing design. Latest releases.
Personal
- I am a proud daddy and papa to my lovely daughter Meghan.
- In my free time, I enjoy the physical and mental challenges of kickboxing and chess.
- I live in Eindhoven, NL.
- One day, I hope to explore Japan, train in a Muay Thai camp in Thailand, and build a remote “Never Too Small-style” coastal cabin.
My experience
Throughout my career, I have been involved in every aspect of the product development process, from identifying pain points and opportunities, defining requirements and scope, designing user flows and prototypes, developing code and testing software, and delivering to end-users and customers.
I have designed and launched successful products, taking them from ideation to launch (0→1).
At two different software startups, I have taken on the role of “The User Experience Team of One”, taking full ownership of all design and research aspects.
In my leadership roles, I have hired and managed remote teams while overseeing complex projects, leading cross-functional teams of designers and developers. Additionally, I have taken on a mentoring role to help develop and grow the skills of my team members, as well as people outside the company.
My story
When I was 7, I launched my first fandom website into the interwebs, Gorillaz World. (Among many other silly sites.)
In my teens, I designed logos and websites for my own Counter-Strike and Command & Conquer clans. Competing teams would hit me up to create theirs too.
When I was 15, my old-time friend Justin Halsall and I started our first company, Mind Productions, a web agency. We reinvested our income into software, hardware, and education.
In 2010, I started my career at CMK1, a creative agency in Amsterdam. I mainly worked on web-related projects, leading web design and implementation.
In 2014, I joined Slimleren.nl, a new startup without a product. I designed and built their product, a high school e-learning web application, and their brand and marketing from the ground up.
In 2015, I joined the founding team at pr.co. I designed its two core product parts: the web application and the newsrooms that millions of people have used. Over the 8 years, my role has changed from UX Engineer, Product Designer, Head of Design, to Director of Product.
In 2017, I organized AMSxTech Conference, a community-run conference for technology professionals in Amsterdam.
During and between jobs, I freelanced as a designer for a select group of companies.
Influences
My dad, Cathal McKee, for his invaluable guidance and support in my early journey towards becoming a product designer.
My granddad, Jacobus Hendriks ✝, for all the fun and exciting hours up in the attic, teaching me how to command computers and execute video games through the command-line interface (CLI).