Lorenz Woehr
Q What do you do?
“I’m Lorenz, a digital product designer with roots in coding. I bridge the gap between design and development, creating digital interfaces that are both functional and thoughtful. I started as a teen iOS developer, taught myself design, and now work independently from Munich. I still code when I can, mostly building tools that scratch my own itches before sharing them with others. ”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I grew up in a creative environment in Munich. My grandfather and mum are architects and my dad is an artist — I spent many hours in his atelier watching his process. However, I didn’t quite follow their footsteps at the beginning. Instead, at 14, I taught myself iOS development and created educational YouTube content that unexpectedly gained traction. While still in high school, I started my first company selling website and app templates.
I've moved between development and design several times. After working at Neverbland, a design studio in London, I decided to go independent. I later also studied computer engineering and management as I believe a better understanding of different perspectives leads to more thoughtful design solutions. This multidisciplinary background now allows me to bridge technical constraints and design thinking in ways that uniquely benefit my clients' projects.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I bridge the worlds of design, development and management — understanding technical and economical constraints while advocating for thoughtful design. Growing up around traditional artists gave me an eye for composition that translates well to digital spaces.
Q What are you working on right now?
I'm working on several projects, but a major one is with a Swiss longevity company called Timeline (https://timeline.com). I joined as their first digital designer and helped build their digital presence from the ground up to reach millions of annual visitors. However, I still try to dedicate some time to side projects which allow me to explore new tools and processes before integrating them in my commercial work.
Q What’s your style?
Pragmatic with strong attention to detail. I don't believe in design for design's sake — everything should serve a clear purpose. That said, I strive to create solutions that balance simplicity with character, ensuring designs are accessible without becoming banal. Timeline Longevity exemplifies this approach.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I wish I could spend more time coding experimental projects without deadlines. These passion projects push me out of my comfort zone and reconnect me with why I fell in love with digital design. Whether it's creating Supway for responsive super/subscript scaling, building Figma plugins, or adding playful Figma Fireworks that explode when deleting layers — these moments of pure creation remind me why I chose this path. I build tools for myself, share them with colleagues, and when robust enough, open-source them for others to enjoy.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Good design requires time to understand problems, explore approaches, and refine solutions, but I'm frustrated by our industry's preference for quick launches over thoughtful iteration. We're becoming component assemblers rather than problem solvers as design grows increasingly commoditized. The irony is that simple solutions are often the hardest to create, yet they're expected to be delivered faster and cheaper.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Someone to sit beside me and nod approvingly whenever I make a font choice.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I'd tell my younger self it's okay to pursue both design and development rather than feeling pressure to choose. What I once worried would make me a jack of all trades has actually become my strength.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
An AI researcher to understand what's really happening inside the black box of generative design tools. I use them daily, but the difference between mediocre and exceptional results seems to lie in understanding their underlying mechanics. As with any tool, knowing its fundamentals rather than just its interface leads to better outcomes.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I'm seeking remote contract work in longevity and AI — fields that combine scientific challenges with meaningful impact. AI particularly interests me as the first new UI paradigm in decades. I value collaborating directly with developers on cross-functional teams and prefer longer-term partnerships where we can iterate together. As the design world rapidly evolves, I'm eager to explore new approaches rather than relying solely on established expertise.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I prefer long-term creative partnerships over short gigs. The best collaborations happen when we get to learn each other, the users, and shape a product together not in isolation. I want to work with friends, people I'd also like to meet and grab a coffee outside of work.
Q: What is your rate?
Typically around $800/day, though it varies depending on the project scope and type of work. For long-term engagements or social impact projects, I'm open to discussing alternative arrangements. Some projects benefit from different models of engagement, and I'm flexible in finding what works best for each situation.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Just drop me an email to hello@lorenzwoehr.com with your vision, rough timeline, and budget. It doesn't have to be an exhaustive breakdown in the initial email and we can discuss details during a call. Email gives me time to thoughtfully consider projects before responding, but I'm not rigid about communication channels; reach out however works for you.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I admire cartoonists like Christoph Niemann for their ability to communicate complex ideas with minimal elements — nothing wasted or decorative, yet perfectly expressive. Their approach to distilling concepts down to their essence aligns closely with my own design philosophy. Niemann's talent for seeing possibilities others miss and communicating with clarity is a skill I value most.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Step away from screens and find inspiration in uncommon places
This member profile was originally published in March 2025.