I create apps in my free time to solve real problems and push creative boundaries.
Side projects are my creative playground. They let me explore emerging technologies, experiment with bold ideas, and solve real problems I encounter daily.
Each app reflects a genuine curiosity or challenge, making development both meaningful and deeply motivating. Building outside work constraints keeps my technical skills sharp while fueling continuous learning and creative growth.
A flashcards app that teaches the 2,000 most common Dutch words so expats can make fast, practical progress.
Built and iterated publicly with real user feedback.
I lived in Amsterdam for six years without learning Dutch. When I finally decided to start, I wanted an approach that was effective, time-efficient, and focused on daily life, not a 'learn forever' experience.
Apps like Duolingo are widely available and polished, but progress feels slow because you spend time on sentences and vocabulary that don't improve everyday communication early enough. The experience is heavily gamified, which pushes you toward 'keeping the streak' rather than retention and practical fluency. After weeks of use, too little stuck.
I built a flashcards-based app designed around a simple idea: Learn the most useful words first.
Practical-first curriculum focused on the words you'll actually use
Anchor meaning in context with real example sentences
Connect reading to speaking with native audio
Focused on speed and repetition, not distractions
I shared the app publicly on LinkedIn and saw strong interest from real users. Feedback led to iterative improvements, including adding pronunciation, more examples per card, and improving the design to feel more modern and usable. The result became both a practical tool for learners and a personal 'lab' to practice building and shipping quickly.
Whether you're a fellow builder, a curious learner, or someone seeking inspiration for useful apps, I'd love to connect and explore new ideas together.
I'm excited to share this journey with like-minded creators and problem-solvers who believe in building things that matter.
Side Projects: Apps I Build for Fun and Impact