I was never especially academic, so I naturally gravitated towards visual forms of expression and chose to study web design and development. While I was initially stronger on the design side than development, that course confirmed that a creative career was the right path for me. My first role was as a web designer at a small local studio, which led to a position in higher education professional services, where I focused on UX design for over a decade. During that time, I also pursued side projects and contributed to publications like Minimalissimo, which I later took over and developed into both a digital and print magazine. That remains one of my proudest achievements, and it connected me with a wide range of creative people and brands, leading to some rewarding collaborations.

• Creative direction
• Web design
• UX design
• Copywriting
• Research and development
• Product development
• Communications

Keeping a team lean means bandwidth is often the biggest challenge. Maintaining pace, momentum, and enthusiasm while juggling competing priorities can be frustrating at times. On top of that, the speed of change in the design and technology space creates constant pressure to avoid moving too slowly or investing in tools that may not stand the test of time. Staying aware of what AI enables and what competitors are shipping, without getting swept up in hype or unrealistic expectations, is something I think about constantly.

I use each app at different points in the process. Figma is where I design interfaces and work through flows and visual decisions (albeit to a lesser extent these days). Slack helps me collaborate with teammates and keep projects moving. ChatGPT and Codex support idea development, writing, technical exploration, and implementation. VS Code brings me closer to the product through hands-on building and refinement, while iA Writer gives me a quieter space to think, write, and shape ideas before they become design work.

I’d tell my younger self to network more in person. I’ve spent a lot of time behind a screen, and while digital collaboration can still lead to great work, the strongest opportunities and most meaningful creative partnerships often come from real human connection. At this stage in my career, I see more clearly how valuable that foundation is.

Absolutely none.

Digitally, a big source of inspiration for me is browsing are.na. For creatives, it’s one of the best places on the web to research, collect references, and shape ideas visually. Away from the screen, inspiration tends to come from conversation, architectural magazines, and clearing my mind by going for walks. I also think when I make the time to travel to other cities, I always come away with some fresh ideas to experiment with.