Steven Fokkinga, PhD
Research & Innovation Lead
I build tools, develop frameworks, and do research to help organizations understand what people really need. I combine deep expertise in user psychology with hands-on technical ability.
For fifteen years, I've worked at the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. First as a researcher (PhD, cum laude), then as a founder (built and led a team of 10), now shipping AI-powered tools and author of Emotions by Design.
What makes me unusual: I don't just research; I build. When our qualitative research method couldn't scale, I taught myself to code and built a digital platform that transformed our business. When I saw an opportunity in AI-powered research, I architected and shipped an LLM tool now deployed at TU Delft. When we needed a physical product for behavior change, I took it from concept to production to B2B sales.
I've led research and innovation projects for Mercedes-Benz, Danone, Samsung, Henkel, and the City of Rotterdam; developing methods and frameworks now used worldwide. My work has shaped how a national news broadcast presents stories, how a city serves its citizens, and how global teams design for behavior change.
I care about depth. About getting to the real need behind the stated preference. About building things that actually ship. And about working with people who take their craft seriously.
Core Competencies
Psychological Depth
- — PhD, Design & Emotion
- — Behavioral Science
- — Author of Emotions by Design
Hands-On Building
- — Coding (TypeScript, React, Node)
- — Shipped Tools & Platforms
Business Reality
- — Agency Founder (8 yrs)
- — Products to Market
- — B2B Sales & Scale
Clients I worked for
Led 10+ international research projects across 8 countries. Created two innovation programs and toolkits—now global standards for Danone teams.
UX research for next-generation product using in-context observation, interviews, and focus groups.
Directed 10+ research projects on UX and product innovation. Established 7-year strategic partnership.
Emotion mapping research in India. Trained external research teams and provided proprietary research platform.
Methodology training for Lego designers at headquarters in Denmark.
Developed innovation program enabling Mercedes teams to design for deep user needs.
Several research & development projects on living with chronic kidney disease and improving healthy behavior.
Core member of global innovation team. Co-developed research methodology and rolled it out across 7 countries.
Immersive user research on smart home experiences. Delivered product concepts and experience mockups, presented at HQ in Seoul.
Methodology training for Zalando Design Leads on designing for emotion and positive experiences.