Op Jezelf

Many teenagers in Friesland lack practical preparation for living on their own. They underestimate real costs, feel overwhelmed by chores and routines, and are anxious about growing up.

The brief, through NHL Stenden, asked for a concept, visual design and working prototype in seven weeks. After delivery, we were hired for five more months to build the full version.

Financial literacy and emotional readiness turned out to be tangled together, so one method would have missed half the picture. As lead researcher I combined interviews, a seven-day diary study, a quiz, card sorting, co-creation and desk research.

Rent, furniture, bills: it adds up fast and nobody tells you.

One of six themes from 10 interviews and a diary study. My summary, not a quote.

Based on the research, I made the design decisions together with our two designers, and guided the type and colour as team lead.

A. Real costs, zero risk. The budgeting feature uses real expenses like rent, utilities and insurance, so teens can practise planning without real consequences.

B. Micro-tasks, not a to-do list. A full list of adult chores causes paralysis. Small daily tasks with visible progress keep motivation going.

C. Peer stories over lectures. Because anxiety kept coming up, the app leans on relatable stories and humour instead of instructions.

We tested the Figma prototype with 14 to 17 year olds in usability sessions and a classroom pilot. Teens got lost in the guidance, missed next steps, and asked how to manage expenses without any income.

That led to clearer onboarding, a tighter task structure and more honest feedback in the decision flow.

Good research isn't just finding what people need. It's understanding the feeling those needs live in.

What worked: putting research straight into design, relatable scenarios, and humour to take the edge off. Next time: test with a bigger, more diverse group of teens.

The full version launched in March 2026. It's used in the Op Jezelf guest lessons that the Frisian housing corporations Elkien, Dynhus and Accolade give in secondary and MBO schools, with a presentation we made for the teacher to use alongside the app. The project has finished since, so I don't have usage numbers to share.