Max Pinkert

Max Pinkert

Design & Innovation
@ CODE University of Applied Sciences

Thirteen years across Berlin startups, founding and running my own company, and two Mittelstand employers taught me how organisations create value and, more often, where they quietly leave it on the table: unused potential, unaddressed demographic shifts, processes drifting away from the core offer. When I stepped back from the founder role to prioritise being a father, it became clear that what I kept reaching for in every position was the curiosity and creative problem framing that sits at the centre of design. Design & Innovation at CODE University of Applied Sciences matches how I thrive, project based, hands on and learning by burning. I am now always looking for a working student position where I can put that into practice, test the designer role from the inside, and sharpen my focus, currently pulling strongest toward User Experience and Brand Design.

Experience

  1. Working Student for Product Development

    CARIAD SE (Volkswagen Group)

    Developing internal tools with the Microsoft Suite (PowerBI, Power Automate, Copilot Studio, Sharepoint Sites). Conceptualising and drafting user interfaces for internal tools.

  2. Working Student for UX & Product Design

    BuchhaltungsButler GmbH

    Create polished visual designs and copies for the growth team, including presentations, social assets, and campaigns. Own the end-to-end creation and curation of creatives and copy for performance marketing campaigns. Collaborate cross-functionally to translate business needs into effective visual communication.

  3. Intern for UX & Product Design

    BuchhaltungsButler GmbH

    Designed multiple assets as part of a company-wide brand redesign,from presentations to ads to website. Built and documented design systems enabling non-designers to quickly create on-brand prototypes and assets. Produced print designs for fairs and events, ensuring brand consistency across physical and digital touchpoints. Led creative direction for performance marketing campaigns, from concept to final asset delivery.

  4. Digitalization & Innovation

    BBWO 1892 eG

    Redesigned the 1892messenger experience based on user feedback, improving usability and boosting adoption. Evaluated tenant apps and digital solutions through user research and comparative analysis to enhance the UX of the tenant<>service communication channels. Facilitated workshops and retrospectives to identify pain points and prototype digital process improvements. Delivered AI and digital workplace training, designing learning materials for diverse internal audiences.

  5. Designed and rolled out a new process landscape for a global educational group through workshops, process mapping

  6. Co-Founder & CEO

    2zero GmbH

    Co-founded a B2B SaaS startup in sustainability, shaping product vision and overseeing the design of an organisation. Scaled team from 2 to 10+ while building the companys visual identity, pitch materials, and client-facing assets. Developed automated digital systems improving operational efficiency and user experience for enterprise clients. Winner of ABB Startup Challenge 2022, recognized for innovation and impact by pivoting and redesigning the app towards energy efficiency.

  7. Freelancer / Working Student

    Various

    Developed a mental health app prototype as a working student at ias AG. Provided consulting to a financial agency, facilitating strategy workshops and designing lean processes.

  8. Redesigned customer success processes, improving service clarity and reducing friction in the user journey. Collaborated with R&D on product improvements, translating user feedback into actionable design requirements. Led cross-functional communication and root cause analysis during a product recall.

  9. Built quality management system from scratch; authored industry standards for DIN, TÜV, and ISO committees. Oversaw market readiness and launch for two 3D printers, designing testing processes and documentation.

Education

  1. Digital Design & Innovation (B.A.)

    CODE University of Applied Sciences

  2. Scholarship holder for IHK Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung

  3. Sustainable Management (w/o degree)

    Technische Universität Berlin

    Scholarship holder for Aufstiegsstipendium (SBB)

  4. Scholarship holder for IHK Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung

Tech & Tools

  • Lucid
  • Figma
  • Jira
  • UserGuiding
  • Miro
  • Notion
  • Atlassian
  • [tool]
  • [tool]
  • [tool]
  • Asana
  • Webflow
  • [tool]
  • WordPress
  • Visio
  • Marvel
  • GitHub
  • Excel
  • [tool]
  • Canva

Focusing on...

  • User Experience
  • Branding