I lead the design practice at the digital product and service design agency, Head London. I’ve been designing digital products and services for 14 years. My career started as the web really hit the mainstream and I worked in teams that were designing the first online stores for a couple of major supermarkets. From those very first projects onwards every project I have been involved in has been using technology in new ways which has given me the opportunity to be involved in innovative projects for clients all over the world.
Now I’m a design strategist and leader. I work with clients to imagine new products and services and lead teams to visualise, prototype and realise them. I provide the vision and strategic thinking behind the digital product and service design work of Head London. I’ve worked there over the last 2 years to build a talented design team and safeguard the culture of entrepreneurialism and innovation. I have to admit that I truly love working with the design team at Head and I really believe we’re making a difference to our clients and to the people who use their products and services.
I also spend time coaching business leaders to find competitive advantage through design and innovation. I work with them to build internal design teams, define design processes, establish design thinking and create a culture of innovation. My experience enables me to combine design thinking with business strategy and cutting-edge technology which gives me a slightly different perspective that helps clients to see opportunities in new ways. I find it hugely satisfying working to embed a culture of ideas and innovation within big companies.
I’m a committed modernist: I am absolutely convinced that today’s technology should be improving and enriching all of our lives rather than driving consumerism or being a constant source of frustration. I aim to produce sustainable design but that doesn’t remove the commercial imperative to create profit for my clients. I just believe that there are additional ways that a design should be measured.
I also believe that craftsmanship is hugely important in design and admit to taking that belief into the work I do to coach and mentor young designers. I also often talk at conferences and events about design thinking, innovation and human-centred design.
