Welcome aboard Nico van Zyl

Nico van Zyl joins Altostrat as our Design Engineer Lead. With over 14 years of experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge in end-to-end design and front-end development to the team. His role involves overseeing application design and development, focusing on UX/UI and responsive interfaces. Nico is passionate about solving complex user-facing problems at the intersection of design, data, and performance.

More about Nico van Zyl

How did you first get into your field?

From building marketing websites.

What motivated you to join Altostrat?

The team and mission.

Where do you find inspiration?

While I draw from the usual design resources and existing products, I also keep an extensive collection of inspiration spanning photography, mechanical and industrial design. Anything where thoughtful craftsmanship and detail stand out.

If you weren't in your current role/field, what alternative career path might you have pursued?

I thrive in environments where I can do a lot of focus work so I would most likely still do something where I can sit in silence and work on solving complex problems, likely civil engineering or industrial design.

What's one of your favorite productivity tools or apps right now, and why?

While most people jump straight to AI, some of my favorite tools right now are the ones that help cut through the noise and prioritize quality over quantity. Mymind and Mobbin are currently at the top of my list.

Do you have a favorite keyboard shortcut? What is it?

⌘ Space - which opens Raycast app.

What's a favorite place you've visited or dream of visiting?

Garden route in the Western Cape, some of the greatest scenery and driving roads. But I would love to visit Japan or Nürburg, Germany in the near future.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone ambitious in your field?

Be persistent. Persistence helps you cut through all the challenges you'll face, whether it be troubleshooting a bug, finding a good design solution or learning a new skill.