From Pixels
to Products

Gerrit Vermeulen has been building software since 2009, transitioning into DevOps around 2018, and more recently focusing heavily on cloud infrastructure across AWS and GCP.

He has extensive experience working with serverless architectures such as AWS Lambda, which he builds with both Python and Node.js for automation and backend processes. His work centers around designing and building scalable, reliable systems, with a strong focus on clean infrastructure, efficient deployments, and solutions that are built to last.

Gerrit is deeply interested in AI and how it can be applied in practical, real-world systems. He specialises in integrating Claude, Gemini, and OpenAI into meaningful products and workflows that solve real problems, rather than treating AI as a novelty. He enjoys building AI-powered solutions that are not only innovative but also stable, maintainable, and scalable.

He particularly enjoys working at the intersection of software and infrastructure, where he can design systems end-to-end and ensure everything works seamlessly together. His approach is always grounded in building systems that actually work in production, scale properly, and deliver long-term value.

Dirkie Vermeulen holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing and has been working in software development and server infrastructure since 2017.

He started his career working with Flutter and Laravel, and has since expanded his skill set across a wide range of technologies, gaining solid experience in both application development and server setup. His work spans frontend, backend, and infrastructure, allowing him to build complete, end-to-end systems.

Dirkie has a strong interest in AI and is particularly focused on how it can be used to scale systems and improve efficiency. He actively explores ways to integrate AI into workflows and products, with a focus on automation and building smarter, more scalable solutions.

When he is not working in tech, Dirkie lives and works on his own farm. Outside of farming, he spends his time coding and experimenting with new technologies, combining a practical, hands-on mindset with a passion for building systems that actually work in the real world.

Maja Carstens has been working as a photographer and graphic designer since 2014, with a strong focus on social media, project management, UX/UI design, and visual content creation.

She brings a creative and structured approach to everything she works on, combining design thinking with practical execution. Over the years, she has developed a well-rounded skill set that allows her to manage projects, design user experiences, and create engaging visual content across multiple platforms.

Maja has a passion for all things creative and plays a central role in keeping projects aligned and moving forward. She is often the glue that holds Pixel Penguin together, ensuring that ideas are not only visually strong but also executed smoothly from start to finish.