Thom Van Der Doef
About Thom Van Der Doef
Thom Van Der Doef is a Principal Product Designer at eSpark Learning, where he has worked since 2017. He has extensive experience in user experience design, having previously held positions at McGraw-Hill Education and IIT Institute of Design.
Current Role at eSpark Learning
Thom Van Der Doef serves as Principal Product Designer at eSpark Learning, a position he has held since 2017. In this role, he focuses on creating user-centered designs that enhance educational experiences. He collaborates closely with educators and students to ensure that product designs align with educational needs. His work involves leading design sprints to develop and test new product ideas and features, employing a variety of prototyping tools such as Figma and Webflow.
Previous Experience at eSpark Learning
Before becoming Principal Product Designer, Thom worked at eSpark Learning as a User Experience Designer from 2013 to 2017. During this time, he contributed to the development of user-friendly educational products. His experience in this role laid the foundation for his current position, where he continues to focus on improving user experiences in educational technology.
Experience at McGraw-Hill Education
Thom Van Der Doef held multiple positions at McGraw-Hill Education. He worked as a Senior Designer from 2010 to 2013 and as a Senior UI/UX Designer for 11 months in 2013. In these roles, he focused on designing educational materials and digital products, enhancing the learning experience for users. His tenure at McGraw-Hill Education contributed significantly to his expertise in user interface and experience design.
Educational Background
Thom studied at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he earned a Master of Design Methods (MDM) in Design Planning and Communication from 2009 to 2010. He also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from ArtEZ University of the Arts. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his work in product design and user experience.
Design Skills and Tools
Thom Van Der Doef possesses expertise in building design systems and implementing them using CSS, HTML, and Adobe Suite. He employs analytics tools such as Amplitude, Metabase, and Google Sheets to inform design decisions and improve product features. His proficiency with various prototyping tools, including Figma, Webflow, and Google Slides, allows him to effectively bring design concepts to life.