frog design Appoints Former Microsoft Director of User Experience for Windows to Creative Leadership Team
PALO ALTO, Calif., April 27 -- Strategic-creative consultancy frog design, inc. has named Tjeerd Hoek to the role of executive creative director of software and hardware convergence. Hoek joins frog from Microsoft, where he was director of user experience design for Microsoft Windows and developed user interfaces for some of the most widely used products and platforms in the world. A pioneer in recognizing the value of integrating hardware and software, frog is a leader in developing award-winning convergent products for Fortune 500 clients.
In his new role, Hoek will work closely with the creative leadership team to drive frog's expertise in user experience and interaction design for both software and hardware. Based in frog's Seattle studio, Hoek's responsibilities include overseeing the ongoing expansion of the studio in addition to working with clients in each of frog's nine international locations across the US, Europe, and Asia.
Hoek spent 13 years with Microsoft, starting as a designer in Microsoft Office, where he worked on the user interface for the integrated applications of Office '97, Office 2000, and Office XP. He was responsible for the user experience design of MSN, including key applications such as the MSN Premium Service client, MSN Messenger, and MSN Email. Most recently, Hoek led the User Experience Design of Windows Vista, overseeing the team of product designers focused on the user experience of all features and platform capabilities of Windows Vista, the new Windows Aero interface, as well as the design for Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Gallery, and other key products in Windows Vista.
"Tjeerd's experience brings invaluable knowledge to frog and underscores our commitment to hiring the best talent in the industry," said Mark Rolston, senior vice president of creative for frog design. "He is a tremendous addition to a strong creative leadership team that is focused on delivering the most innovative convergent solutions for our clients."
"I have truly enjoyed my time with Microsoft, and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience to frog. I'm looking forward to working with such a diverse team to create products that are revolutionizing industries, experiences, and ways of life," said Hoek.
About frog design, inc.
frog design, inc. is one of the world's leading strategic-creative consulting firms. By identifying emerging market opportunities and transforming ideas into compelling product and service experiences, frog helps Fortune 500 clients to evolve, expand, and envision their businesses. Founded in Germany in 1969, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with studios in Aus tin, TX; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Milan, Italy; Shanghai, China; and Stuttgart, Germany. With a cross-disciplinary team of more than 325 employees, frog offers a broad range of industry expertise, in fields such as consumer electronics, software, entertainment, finance, medical, retail, and fashion. Clients include Alltel, Disney, GE, HP, Logitech, Micro soft, MTV, Seagate, Yahoo! and others.
