»Every great project is the result of diverse perspectives«

Though Matilde Hørlyk was initially on track for a career in architecture and design, she now channels her creativity and problem-solving skills as a developer at Netcompany. It may seem like quite a leap, but to her, the two roles aren’t as distant as they appear.

There is no such thing as a neutral space. The buildings and environments we inhabit impact our comfort, our ability to feel at ease, and even our thoughts. And this intricate relationship between bricks and people is what initially drew Matilde Hørlyk to study architecture. 

»I was completely captivated by the idea of creating something that improves people’s lives and experiences—visually, functionally and emotionally. It’s never just drawings on a piece of paper; it’s the framework for people’s everyday lives,« she explains. 

Though this fascination never faded, Matilde Hørlyk ended up swapping 3D modelling for software coding, allowing her to create digital solutions instead of physical spaces. Today she’s an app developer in Netcompany currently working with Aula, enhancing digital interactions between daycare providers, schools, and homes across Denmark. While this may seem far from her initial path – her motivation stays the same.  

»It doesn’t matter which piece of IT you’re working with; ultimately, every final product is meant for real people« the 30 year old developer says, reflecting upon her career crossover.

The right path isn’t always a straight line. We often navigate twists and turns, gaining new perspectives that shape our destinations along the way. In this series you’ll meet some of the Netcompany talents that have transitioned into the world of IT, bringing diverse skills and viewpoints to the company. 

 

 

Not one of ‘them’

»My parents didn’t serve me an interest in either architecture nor IT. But they taught me to be curious and to find joy in seeking solutions to any problem,« Matilde Hørlyk says. 

Growing up in a small Danish town, she, like many teenagers, yearned for higher ceilings, greater challenges, and new communities. A naturally creative child, she expressed herself through sketching, photography, and film editing, while also nurturing an interest in the natural sciences. Yet, she never envisioned herself diving into the world of technology. 

»I always had this feeling of ‘I guess I’m not one of them’. Stereotypically, I viewed ‘them’ as a group of nerdy types sitting alone in a basement coding, which clashed with my self-perception,« she recalls, shaking her head at how misguided that view was, knowing it was about to change. 

»IT can feel all theoretical, but at its core, it’s a hands-on craft for solving real-world challenges«

Fascinated by creative expression, she started at The Danish School of Architecture, and immersed herself in design books, sketching and modelling, until doubts began to creep in: Was she really meant to be an architect?  

»In architecture, the process is often very iterative and open-ended. I love how ideas, concepts, and aesthetics are frequently revisited, leading to ongoing refinement and adaptation. But the subjective side to the end products often left me with a feeling of ambiguity. I grew more interested in the IT tools we used, which sparked a curiosity to find out how things are made, how they work, and how they affect us.« 

In 2018, she dropped out to study Software Development instead. She did not aim to snag a Ph.D. in IT but sought to develop expertise in the field to tackle problems head-on. And for the past two years, she has channeled her creativity and problem-solving skills as a developer at Netcompany. 

»IT can feel all theoretical, but at its core, it’s a hands-on craft for solving real-world challenges,« she says. 

Zooming in and out 

Today Matilde Hørlyk feels like she’s landed on the right shelf—and though she zigzagged her way to it, she wouldn’t have been without the sway. 

As an app developer, she uses her cross-disciplinary insights every day, when analysing contexts, designing solutions, and facilitating creative workshops. 

»Working in architecture involves constantly zooming in and out—putting the world into context, from the small details to the broader strokes to see how something can be improved for those who inhabit it. This is achieved through extensive research and iterative processes, which is similar to developing IT,« she says. 

»While the goals and deliverables might be defined by the client, the solutions aren’t set in stone. There is plenty of space for creative thinking«. 

The most important aspect of her job is to listen and communicate—to clients and to colleagues. Cause if you can’t translate needs into functionality, you won’t create value, as she puts it. And there is no such thing as a solitary process. 

»You can’t create IT alone. Every successful project is the result of collective processes, diverse perspectives, and skills. The greater the diversity in perspectives and knowledge brought into the IT world, the better. After all, we make IT for a diversity of people«. 

Matilde Hørlyk views IT as »a reflection of our society« and believes it’s essential to stay connected to the wider world through reading and podcasts. Here are some of her sources of inspiration. 

 

»One of the best books I have read about creativity and software engineering is definitely Edwin Catmull’s book ‘Creativity, Inc’–an amazing story of how science and artistic creativity can create value and joy around the world. Bent Flyvbjerg’s ‘How big things get done’ also calls upon creative reflection within IT projects with his perspective on the whole idea of (lego) bricks«.

 

 

»The podcast ‘In good company’ is also a great inspiration. The Norwegian hedge fund manager Nikolaj Tangen invites amazing and influential guests who make me reflect upon work, collaboration, business strategies and how to improve my skills going forward. I am very focused on the shift between creating creative value and business«.

»The greater the diversity in perspectives and knowledge brought into the IT world, the better. After all, we make IT for a diversity of people«

Planting the STEM seeds 

It’s no secret that there aren’t many women in Matilde Hørlyk’s position. While she values her creative detours, she wishes she had been introduced to IT earlier—merging her creative interests with technology. 

»I believe it’s crucial to foster curiosity in STEM subjects from primary school onward. You can create so many things with IT; it doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be part of play,« Matilde Hørlyk says, adding that she can’t wait to develop applications with her three-year-old daughter on their Raspberry Pi. 

»I definitely hope to see many more women in tech. But I also think we shouldn’t create a frightening narrative around the few women in IT, often seen in open-plan offices full of men. It can work the other way around,« she says, noting that her team consists of around 50 percent women. 

Outside of work, Matilde continues to explore creativity in design and architecture bringing her camera everywhere to capture people and architecture, and exploring the intersection where creativity meets IT. 

Though today she identifies as “one of them,” she remains driven by the joy of problem-solving. 

»There’s always a solution to a problem. The road to it might be bumpy, time-consuming, and frustrating, but once you find it, it’s the best feeling. And when I hear my daughter say, ‘We’ll find a way,’ it feels like I’ve passed on a core value that has been a significant driver in my life.« 

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