Experience

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  Fivecast

  • Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

  • UX Lead

    • Aug 2022 - Present
    • Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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  Be Friendly

  • Australia

  • Creator of Awesomeness

    • 2009 - Present
    • Australia

    “Please Be Friendly” was originally a phrase on a sticker which I distributed while backpacking in 2005. The cheerful phrase stuck and I took on “Be Friendly” as my studio name.My work is cross-discipline and hands-on. I apply design thinking to lots of things; often unusual and challenging things. I can make you a business card, or a chair. I can deliver a brand identity, paint an entire office building inside or out; and/or work with clients to develop a brand strategy to launch or grow their business.Be Friendly proudly does a lot of work with smaller businesses, start ups, NPO’s and the arts/creative community; investing creative energy and experience into people and brands that I believe in.Be Friendly believes in original, fun, thoughtful and ethical design.

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  Makers Empire

  • Australia
  • Education
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Director of User Experience & Customer Success

    • Jan 2021 - Aug 2022

  • Director of User Experience

    • Jul 2017 - Jan 2021

    “Better Learning by Design”At Makers Empire we believe that every child can make their world better.By effectively applying human-centred design principles I have helped build Makers Empire from a nascent app to the world’s most fun and easy to use 3D design program, used by elementary school students and teachers around the world to create around 100,000 designs every day.I’m using everything I've learnt and everything I’m still learning to help elementary/primary students and teachers to develop their design thinking skills, build their creative confidence and become empowered problem solvers.• • • • • • • • • •"At Makers Empire, our vision is that every child is empowered to become a creator, innovator and problem solver, so they can make their world better."

  • Brand Consultant

    • Dec 2016 - Jul 2017

    I originally joined Makers Empire part-time to develop a cohesive brand identity and UI look.The brand identity work led to deeper brand strategy thinking, including defining and articulating the company's visions and mission. During these sessions, I was excited and inspired by the potential of Makers Empire, and decided to take on a full-time role as Director of UX so I could dedicate myself to building this awesome product and realising the vision.

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  Freelance Design & Illustration

  • Australia & Japan

  • Freelancer

    • Aug 2005 - 2009
    • Australia & Japan

    While living abroad and upon my return I built up a steady amount of freelance work, developing a bold vector illustration style and becoming recognised for my custom typography skills. This led me more towards more graphics and branding; and to my founding Be Friendly.

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  Shane English School

  • Saitama, Japan

  • English Language Teacher

    • Oct 2005 - Aug 2007
    • Saitama, Japan

    I wanted to live in Japan. I wanted to have a job. I didn't speak Japanese... options? English teacher or English teacher.I actually enjoyed teaching kids and was very good at it.I enjoy design even more though, so back to Australia I came.

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  Happy House

  • Adelaide, Australia / Seoul, South Korea

  • Senior Designer

    • 2001 - Aug 2005
    • Adelaide, Australia / Seoul, South Korea

    I worked at Happy house for about four years. I was initially employed in an illustrator / general dogs body type role. I quickly found that I had a knack for translating an illustration or design across multiple applications, and ended up working extensively on apparel and homewares.At the not very senior age of 22 I was made a senior designer and charged with working almost exclusively with a South Korean licensee. The experience of directing a design and production team in another country, language and culture was fantastic and I credit it very much with influencing my pragmatic approach to client and business relationships.