Optimal Workshop Head of Design 2021 - 2024
Optimal Workshop is an advanced UX research platform with a mission to build better experiences for all. My role is accountable for championing design thinking across the organisation, and setting the strategic direction for our Design Faculty – made up of Product and Marketing Designers.
As part of the Product Leadership Team, I am charged with defining and executing the strategic direction of our product, which has included the development of a product vision, roadmap, and framework for how we submit and prioritise new opportunities. I am also co-accountable for managing the effectiveness and quality of our product delivery squads.
PaperKite Experience Director 2013 - 2021
PaperKite is a design-led digital agency that builds digital experiences for a range of globally recognised brands. I began as Lead Product Designer and led the creation of a number of high-profile digital products. In 2016 I moved into the Creative Director role where I took on senior client management and people leadership. And in 2019 my role evolved into the Experience Director, where I balanced my time between providing strategic input for our clients, helping drive internal company initiatives, and managing a team of super talented practitioners. I love working with passionate professionals and seeing them build their own successes.
I’ve led a range of significant changes to PaperKite, and have established a number of new service offerings for the organisation. The most notable offering is the discovery and research practice – which is now one of PaperKite’s primary forms of new business. I worked hard to build a high-performing design team, and to push our people to step out of their comfort zone.
My role as Experience Director saw me as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. This team is accountable for the overall strategic focus for the business – and I led the creation of a number of foundational business approaches including a growth framework and the company’s core values.
Design Leadership Forum 2019 - 2024
The Design Leadership Forum is an international members group of over 3000 design leaders from across the world. It has allowed me to be part of the conversation about design trends and how organisations are supporting their design practitioners. It has also given me the opportunity to connect with some veteran designers who I have always admired.
Nielsen Norman Group Managing UX Strategy Program 2018
Nielsen Norman Group are World Leaders in Research-Based User Experience. I attended this Sydney-based program which examined a variety of approaches designed to help implement UX strategy into an organisation. Topics included design thinking frameworks, UX research methods, quantitative assessments, organisational structure and career development.
Umajin (formerly Unlimited Realities) UX/UI Designer 2011 - 2013
I began my time at Umajin as one of five digital designers responsible for creating touch and gesture-based interfaces for OEM software. I moved into leading the design direction for a number of products designed for adults and children alike. This role included a variety of responsibilities such as UX research and prototyping, visual and motion design, as well as conducting usability tests and user interviews. For portions of my time at Umajin I worked remotely as part of a team distributed across multiple locations in New Zealand.
Victoria University of Wellington Bachelor of Design Innovation 2008 - 2011
The Bachelor of Design Innovation (BDI) is a three-year degree, where I majored in Digital Media Design. This programme is where I learned how to learn. A skill that has come very handy in a world of constantly evolving digital platforms. This degree taught me the founding principles of good design and also gave me a platform to push the limits of what I thought was possible with interaction and media design.