Hello,
I am
Merel Witteman
An experienced art-director
A recently graduated Environmental engineer
A big fan of the Earth, and all its complex systems
A curious mind with an affection for formulas and molecules
An environmental activist and a scientific storyteller
A critical thinker that likes hands-on action
I like
Making lists
Combining 'smart thinking', scientific knowledge and creative communication
Solving issues – whether on a global, societal, scientific, corporate, consumer or micro-level
Diving deep into systems, phenomena and technologies
Making complex things (more) clear
Coming up with ideas & solutions
Explaining things to others
Questioning 'What if..' scenarios
The miraculous life cycle of the Eel
Relaxing after hard work
Listening to (Rock) music
Getting to the bottom of things
Images that trigger disgust
The Dutch word 'Onbaatzuchtig' (translates to unselfishly)
I went to
Design Academy Eindhoven, where I learned how to translate complex societal issues to stories and products
KesselsKramer, where I worked as an art-director. I came up with several ideas for campaigns, books, videos, visual identities and other communication ‘problems’
Wageningen University, where I learned about the Earth, its (dis)functioning as a system, and the need for Big Change when we want to sustain our planet and all its currently living life (humans included).
Things-I-know
(based on courses taken)
Bioprocesses for Resource Recovery
Ecological Design & Permaculture
Environmental Quality & Governance
Environmental Systems Analysis
Fundamental & Applied Biology of Insects
Organic Chemistry
Principles of Earth and Ecosystem Science
Programming in Python
Pursuing & Realising Entrepreneurial Projects
Renewable Energy: Sources, Technology and Applications
Research Methodologies for Environmental Sciences
Soil Geography
Statistics
Sustainability Analysis
Sustainability Transitions: Concepts, Indicators & Issues
System Earth: Climate and Global Change
Thermodynamics
Water, the hydrological cycle, ecosystems and processes
System Earth: Climate and Global Change
Things-I-can
(based on skills learned)
Adobe Illustrator / Indesign / Photoshop / Premiere Pro
Carbon Footprint Calculations (SimaPro, Ecochain)
(Scientific) writing
(Graphic) design
Beer brewing
Public speaking
Critical thinking
Presenting
Storytelling
Making visualisations
Boxing
Swimming
Allotment gardening
Fermentation
Things-I-did
(places I worked)
2019-Today // Freelance strategic & scientific creative
2010-Today // Co-founder and designer at MaartjeMerel
2022 // Climate Change intern at Nexio Projects
2014-2019 // Art Director at KesselsKramer
Things-I-studied
(educational experience)
2019-2022 MSc Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University.
Specialisation: Environmental Technology, which focuses on developing and evaluating innovative, environmental technologies and concepts based on processes from nature to recover and re-use essential components.
Graduated Cum Laude (average grade 8.76)
2021-2022 WIMEK honours programme.
“Prepares highly motivated students for an academic research career by further developing their research skills and writing a full PhD proposal on a self-selected subject within the field of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences.”
2020 Ideation Programme
Extra curricular course that trains one to become a sustainable entrepreneur. Organised by StartHub Wageningen.
2020 The Journey
The world's largest climate innovation summer school, organised by Climate-KIC.
2008-2014 Design Academy Eindhoven
Bachelor of Design, department Man & Leisure. Extra curricular courses: New materials minor (LAB), Textile minor. Followed courses on materials (wood, metal, plastics, textile, silkscreening) as well as design research, hands-on problem solving, visual communication and critical thinking.
Graduated 8 average.
2001-2008 Gymnasium Pantarijn Wageningen
Study program 'Nature & Health', with extra subjects: Greek, French, Art, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry.
Graduated Cum Laude (average grade 8.0)
