An Unmistakable Colleague
He answers the phone with "Schrimm Schrimm", rides a 1947 BSA motorcycle and has self-made Stones figurines on his sideboard. Olaf Guse is celebrating his 25th anniversary at Blackbit - and has aged damn well in the process.
The Year 2000: When the Internet Still Needed Patience
Do you still remember? In the year 2000, websites were loaded via 56k modems - an image took what felt like minutes. Data was transferred via Leonardo (if you know it, you know it), cell phones had antennas, and no one had ever heard of "responsive design" because smartphones simply didn't exist yet.
Olaf Guse joined Blackbit this year. As a graduate engineer. With pen, paper and a clear vision: websites shouldn't just work - they should look good. And on every end device.
From Wireframe to Atomic Design
Today, Olaf is an art director in the web design department and production manager for content management solutions at Blackbit. That sounds like a lot of responsibility - and it is. But Olaf carries it with the kind of composure you only develop when you've seen projects, teams and technologies grow over 25 years.
His specialty: wireframing and atomic design. While others are still thinking about how a website should be structured, Olaf has long since sketched out the layout, defined the components and ensured that everything looks equally good on desktop, tablet and smartphone. Responsive design? Old hat for Olaf - but in his case it's actually more like a baseball cap ...
Old Rocker With Style
Olaf is a child of the 70s and 80s - and you can hear it. He plays blues music up and down. He picks up the guitar at home and the blues harp in the band. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger? They're on his sideboard. Self-made, of course.
And yes, he still hangs around at festivals. Just now more in the glamping area than in the mud. You don't get any younger - but you do get wiser. And more comfortable.
Between Bits and Gasoline
Olaf is not only on the move digitally. When he's not designing websites, he's restoring motorcycles. His gem: a BSA from 1947 - no electric motor, no touchscreen. Just engine, road and wind - at least that's the idea ...
And because one mode of transportation is not enough, Olaf also regularly gets on his bike. He is a keen cyclist and takes part in the Tour d'Energie. He also enjoys sailing and surfing - a breath of fresh air is his balance to the virtual world of work.
Always Nice, Always There
Anyone who works with Olaf knows that he is ALWAYS nice and friendly. No matter how stressful the project is, no matter how tight the deadline - Olaf remains calm, constructive and solution-oriented.
And that's exactly why he's been with Blackbit for 25 years. Because he is not only a damn good art director - but also a person who is a pleasure to work with.
25 Years - And Not a Bit Quiet
In his 25 years at Blackbit, Olaf has seen technologies come and go. From modem Internet to Flash websites to modern headless CMS architectures. He drew wireframes on paper, today he designs with Figma. Websites for desktop? Check. Mobile-first? Check.
What has remained: His eye for detail. His ability to translate complex requirements into clear, usable interfaces. And his passion for good design.
Thank You, Olaf!
25 years is a hell of a long time. In the digital world anyway. The fact that Olaf has stayed with Blackbit all these years says a lot - about him, about us, and about what happens when a team grows together.
We look forward to the next few years - with you, your self-made Stones figures and your unwavering "Schrimm Schrimm" on the phone.
Here's to the next 25!
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