I’m an accomplished, versatile and results-driven Product Designer from Dublin with over 12 years of design experience and a background in financial services, branding, web and graphic design. I have proven expertise in conversion optimisation, accessibility compliance, the product creation process and governance of a visual and behavioural consistency. Currently turning ideas into strategies as a Product Designer with the Irish airline, Aer Lingus.
Background
Following a career in Financial Services – which ended during the financial crisis, I made a career change to Web & Graphic Design, which has been my hobby and career ever since.
Since 2016, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met on a range of digital projects for the Irish airline, Aer Lingus. As an in-house Designer, my roles have included Graphic Design & Illustration, UX/UI Design, Accessibility Design and Product Design. My work now is focused on conversion growth, inclusivity, the product creation process and governance of a visual and behavioural consistency.
Skills and Principles
My combined experience and interests give me a strong business perspective and commercial awareness (demonstrated in conversion optimisation results). I’m a naturally divergent thinker who can appropriately bridge UX strategy, business needs and technical constraints whilst protecting brand values.
My skills naturally lean more towards the UI side of Product Design.
I’ve spent plenty of time trying to identify what personal qualities lay the best foundation for success in design. These can differ from project-to-project or depend on the personnel involved on a project, but from experience, I believe my most valuable attributes are;
Product Design / Aesthetic Style
I combine UX strategy, product and content design to craft innovative design solutions that engage and guide users. I have a proven track record of creating simple, smart and accessible experiences that grow business.
Commercial Awareness
I appreciate the non-commercial benefits of good product design (e.g. brand advocacy, creating a great user experience), but in a business environment, the key metric will always be revenue. I collaborate with subject matter experts and company decision-makers to ensure digital products meet business goals.
Ideation + Problem Solving
Design is how it works, not how it looks. Good design is not just about aesthetics, it is about understanding user needs and solving user problems. My approach to design projects is as strategic as it is visually driven;
– Try to understand the social, emotional, and physical needs of our customers
– Use ideation techniques to quickly generate, develop, refine and rate new ideas
– De-risk selected ideas by gaining feedback through prototypes
– Propose a design solution for more advanced testing at scale.
Divergent Thinking
Convergent thinking is focused and goal-oriented. It is suitable for generating one correct solution to a problem and creating action plans.
Divergent thinking is more open-ended and exploratory. It is good for solving problems that may have multiple correct answers. We often use this thinking in creative professions, where people are encouraged to develop new and innovative ideas.
I’m a naturally divergent thinker and creative problem solver.
Adaptability
I worked through the financial crisis whilst working in Financial Services. I successfully transitioned from a career in financial services to design. I worked in the travel industry during a pandemic, so I’ve had to be adaptable.
Accessibility Expert
I’ve worked extensively on making digital products accessible for all users. I have an excellent knowledge of accessibility compliance standards and a practical understanding of how our products are accessed and used.
Collaboration
I respect that people are different, so understanding individual needs helps me to work well with and properly support teammates.
Process
I’m a firm believer in trusting the process! Alignment of all parties involved from the outset and meeting project timelines helps teams to consistently deliver on time and achieve strong results.
I’m a strong advocate for Design Thinking, Sir David Brailsford’s ‘Aggregation of Marginal Gains’ and James Clear’s ‘Atomic Habits’ philosophies – which assert that making many minor improvements to process and procedures help to create the conditions for more dramatic improvement as small gains stack up.
Common Sense Approach
To design and deliver intuitive products for a broad range of users, within budget, timelines and technical constraints, we have to apply sound logic and be pragmatic.
Soft Skills
Expertise aside, I pride myself on being a reliable teammate, easy to work with and a conscientious worker.
Learning
I studied Marketing in DIT and undertook many years of exams and CPD during a career in Financial Services. I love to learn new skills as I need them and I have a natural enthusiasm for emerging tech and design trends. Recent accredited courses include;
Blockchain Technology (2018)
Berkeley University, California
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (2018)
Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
UX Design (2019)
UX Design Institute Dublin / Glasgow Caledonian University
Disability and Digital Media: Accessibility, Representation & Inclusion (2020)
Curtin University of Technology, Perth
Fintech (2023)
Stanford University, California
Interests / Personal Life
I grew-up in North County Dublin and still live here with my lovely, talented wife, our adorable daughter and the coolest dog in the world. Outside of work, you’ll find me consumed by reality TV love-triangles, playing double-bass or experimenting with new musical and artistic techniques. I also love to learn about emerging technology trends and listen to an unhealthy amount of podcasts.
