Hi, I’m Ashley!
Designer, physicist-in-training, and storyteller.
My Journey
My educational journey didn’t start in a straight line. I began at VMBO, worked my way up to HAVO, and initially chose to study computer science in higher professional education (HBO). I liked coding, but something was missing: creativity. So I switched to Communication and Multimedia Design (CMD), a program that finally felt like the right fit.
But over time, I couldn’t ignore the growing feeling that I had taken a detour away from something I loved even more: physics. I had always told myself that VWO and university were out of reach, especially with ADHD, but I eventually sought help, regained confidence, and decided to go for it anyway. During my third year at CMD, I began taking VWO-level physics and math B courses at VAVO, all while doing a full-time internship. Despite the challenge, I succeeded, and was accepted into the Engineering Physics program at TU Delft.
Blending science and design
To avoid an extra year of tuition, I decided to complete my CMD graduation project and my first year at TU Delft simultaneously, a difficult but rewarding decision. I graduated cum laude with a 9.5/10 for my final project Origins of Thought, an immersive VR essay on determinism, while also successfully completing my first year of physics.
Now, with a foundation in both design and science, my goal is to bridge the gap between the two. At CMD, I explored how storytelling, interactivity, and visual media can make abstract or scientific ideas more tangible. As I continue my physics degree, I aim to deepen these explorations, using immersive media and speculative design to communicate scientific concepts.
Beyond the screen
Outside of academics, I’ve practiced martial arts for over a decade. I currently train in Kyokushin full-contact karate at Budokai Vleesenbeek and hold a green belt. I no longer participate in fights since starting university, choosing instead to focus on kata competitions, a discipline that demands precision, focus, and long-term dedication. One day I hope to earn my black belt, but I’m in no rush, I enjoy the path as much as the goal.
In my free time, you’ll often find me outdoors photographing birds, hiking through the mountains in the Alps, gaming, reading, or playing the piano.
A “few” of my favorite pictures I made.