About

I'm an Austrian UX Designer from the wholesome city of Graz. Right now, I live in Vienna.

Niq with Q

I want to set myself apart from all the other Nicks, Nics or Niks. My actual name is Nicolas, but nobody ever calls me that.

That's why I'm Niq with Q.

Niq wearing a green rain jacket with the hood on in front of a rainy landscape filled with a river, trees and houses on a small hill

Credit: Juho-Pekka Palomaa

Work

Helping people

When I became a computer user in my teens, I've had my fair share of usability problems with software. This really upset me. When software doesn't do what it's supposed to do and people can't figure it out intuitively, it's a matter of bad design.

My own frustrations were reason #1 why I became a UX Designer.
Helping myself.

I soon became aware, that it's not just me, who is facing badly designed software. Everyone benefits from software that is easy to use, looks aesthetically pleasing and doesn't make us think on how do reach our goals.

Other people's frustrations were reason #2 why I became a UX Designer.
Helping others.

Current job

Since 2020, I have been working as a User Experience Designer at Accenture Song. My work focuses on client projects in the public sector, which is how I got introduced to Web Accessibility.

Web Accessibility is my bread and butter. I never get tired of reminding my team to build with accessibility in mind, no matter if it's designers, developers, business analysts, QA or PMs. This is the only way we can build truly inclusive software.

I used doors as a metaphor for inclusive design in my post The Accessible Door.

Blog

In the beginning of 2023, I launched my blog.

I love to tell stories and blogging is my way to reflect on topics that are very close to my heart. Writing has evolved me as a person and I constantly evolve my writing. Writing is personal. Writing is painful. Writing is wonderful. For me, it had to be painful for it to eventually become wonderful. I love writing.

I write about how writing broke and rebuilt me in How not to write.

Niq in front of the computer, sitting on a chair in a crouched position, glancing at the screen with a serious look on his face

Credit: Sophia Keyn

At the end of every blog post, I invite my readers to reply by email and share their thoughts.

I respond to every email. Don't hesitate to reach out.

Travelling

Deep down, we are all nomads.

Travelling brings out the best version of myself. In 2024, I set off to travel around the world. I launched a travel blog in German called Niqs Reisen.

The inside of a car. Through the windshield you can see a scenic hilly landscape. Inside the car, Niq is sitting in the passenger seat with a baseball cap and glasses on. Next to him, a driver is grabbing onto the steering wheel.

Credit: Sophia Keyn

I write about the places I visit, the people I meet and the adventures I have and you are most welcome to follow along.

More about me

I like to read, write, listen to podcasts, play video games and be out in the nature. I love hiking and Austria is just the right place for that.

I also maintain a now page, which shows my current priorities in life.

Niq wearing sunglasses and a snapback cap in his hiking gear looking into the distance with a lush green mountain and a vineyard in the background

Credit: Sophia Keyn

Even more about me

If you want to learn even more about me, talk to me.