About Me
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I am more than a designer. I have the technical skills... but so do lots of people. I am unique because of my interdisciplinary and strategic approach to designing products and services that make an impact in the real world. I bridge the gap between design, business and behaviour to solve problems, change behaviour, democratise information and communicate big ideas.
Experience
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2021—Current
Founder and Director, Studio Fundi
As a consultant, I use human-centred design methodologies to identify untapped revenue opportunities and develop innovative products, services and strategies that put users first. My work includes (but isn’t limited to):
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Managing service design and design thinking projects from inception to implementation;
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Providing strategic guidance to c-level executives on the value of design thinking and human-centred design in business;
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Creative direction to ensure that brands, products and services are designed to optimise for users and profit margins;
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Using interdisciplinary skills and knowledge to design context-specific behavioural change interventions;
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Developing, running and teaching design sprints for idea generation and corporate capacity building.
As the founder, I run the company including business development, financial management and stakeholder relations. I also manage the production and sales of FebriSol, the company’s flagship product, to some of the world’s most influential pharmaceutical companies and public health organisations.
Skills: Service Design, HCD, Design Thinking, Product Development, UX/UI, Creative Direction, Business Design, Stakeholder Relations, Project Management, Research, Design Strategy, Interdisciplinary (Agile) Team Management and Mentorship.
2016—2020
Graphic Designer, Freelance
I designed visuals to communicate complicated ideas and tell engaging stories. Working with a range of clients, from SMEs and NGOs to MNCs, I gained experience in branding as well as editorial, presentation, packaging, report, information and web design.
Skills: Graphic Design, Information Design, Design Thinking, UX/UI, Research, Creative Direction, and Design Strategy.
2015
Digital Media Consultant, Otto De Jager Events
I established a social media strategy for the company, curated its brand identity and online presence. I also managed a redesign of their website and online communication.
Skills: Graphic Design, UX/UI, Research, Creative Direction, Design Strategy, Team Management.
2013—2015
Management Committee, Habonim Dror Southern Africa
I managed a team of 12—25 educators responsible for the programming and development of HDSA members between the ages of 15—17. The syllabus used varying pedagogical approaches to educate participants on topics including civic and social engagement, current affairs and economics.
Skills: Program Development, Team Management, Sales and Marketing, Project Management.
2013—2014
Intern, Audio Visual Alchemy
I established and grew the company’s social media accounts and online presence. I also produced their weekly show on Assembly Radio.
Skills: Social Media Management, Project Management, Digital Design.
Notable Projects
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2019—Current
FebriSol / Product Design and Development
FebriSol is a patent-protected low-cost packaging intervention that increases treatment adherence to chronic medication. I conceptualised, designed and developed FebriSol independently. I now market, customise, manage and sell the product under the umbrella of my company. I officially took FebriSol to market in April 2021, in its short life over 750 000 units have been distributed in South Africa, the United States and Belgium... and that’s just the beginning. Learn more by watching my TEDx Talk or heading over to www.febrisol.com.
2021—2022 (6 Months)
WeGrowSA / Service Design
I collaborated with WGSA’s head of product to redesign the business model, reshape the customer journey and reevaluate the product offering. I reframed their voucher system, developed to be sold, into a membership platform designed to be used in the long term. Over the course of the six-month project, I managed a team of independent designers, copywriters and developers and acted as a sounding board to the head of product. I provided creative direction and identified new revenue opportunities and growth strategies for the company.
2022 (6 Months)
Gautrain / Service Design
Using a combination of qualitative and observational research I evaluated the Gautrain’s way-finding system with the ultimate goal of enhancing the customer’s experience. By analysing the customer journey I identified that the current wayfinding system, both implicit and explicit, was not designed for the context of the South African commuter. I pinpointed pain points, such as missing signage and poor accessibility, and highlighted more systemic issues, such as the use of inappropriate navigational lexicon throughout the network. My research forms part of a broader innovation strategy for the Gautrain in the run-up to its expansion.
Education
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2018—2020
MA Visual Communication, Graphic Design
Royal College of Art, London
Dissertation: Green Means Go: An Investigation into Visual Communication
Strategies for Behavioural Change (Distinction)
2017
Short Courses
Intro to Typography, Cal Arts
Photoshop, Friends of Design
InDesign, Friends of Design
2016
BA Honours Transitional Justice
University of Cape Town
Research Paper: Framing Transformation, An Exploration into the
Cape Times’ Coverage of the University of Cape Town During the
Formation of Rhodes Must Fall
2013—2015
BA Film and Media Production
University of Cape Town
Triple Major: International Relations, Media and Writing,
Digital Media Design
Skills
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Analytical thinking, Strategy, Research, Project Management, Time Management, Problem Solving, Curiosity, Good Communication, Visual Communication (Graphic Design), UX/UI, Service and Business Design
Adobe CC, Figma, MS Office, Workspace, Online Whiteboarding, Notion
Conferences & Talks
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2023
FebriSol at Pharmapack
Pharmapack Europe by CPHI (Paris)
Course Facilitator for Genesis Analytics ABE:Lab
Standard Bank BE Master Class (South Africa, National)
2022
Analogue Lessons for the Digital World
Health Experience Design (HXD) Conference (Boston)
My Medicine and Me
Cambridge University Festival, panel hosted by the Behavioural Sciences Group (Cambridge)
Course Facilitator for Genesis Analytics ABE:Lab
Standard Bank BE Master Class (South Africa, National)
FebriSol: The Low-Cost Adherence Intervention for People and Profit
CPHI Frankfurt (Virtual)
Innovation and the Customer Journey
Gautrain Management Agency, Public Transport Knowledge Seminar (Johannesburg, Virtual)
2021
Simple Not Sexy: Designing for the Developing World
TEDx Goodenough College (London)
Creative Problem Solving and Innovation Masterclass
Gautrain Management Agency, Public Transport Knowledge Seminar (Johannesburg)
Innovation at Work
Gautrain Management Agency, Innovation Dialogues and Knowledge Share (Johannesburg)
Human-Centred Design in Practice
Guest Lecture, Stadio School of Fashion & Design (formerly known as LISOF) (Johannesburg)
2020
FebriSol: Treatment Adherence to Chronic Medication
Antenna Stage, Dutch Design Week (Eindhoven)
Exhibitions
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2021
Design in an Age of Crisis
London Design Biennale, Chatham House
Design in an Age of Crisis
London Design Biennale (Virtual)
2020
RCA2020 Degree Show
Royal College of Art (Virtual)
Associations
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2019—Present
South African World Regional Representative
International Institute for Information Design
2020
Clinton Global Initiative University
2011
Global Young Leader’s Convention
Awards
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2021
World Design Impact Prize (Shortlist)
World Design Organisation (Canada)
2020
Varley Memorial Award (Winner)
Royal College of Art (UK)
Dundeed Challenge (Shortlist)
Design Indaba and EAD (SA & UK)
2014—2015
Dean’s Merit List
University of Cape Town (SA)