About

b. 1991, UK.

nic

Designing for real humans; solving real problems.

speaking at RMIT UNIversity, Design School on ‘Ethics in Design’ in 2017.

 
 

 
 

Hey, I’m Nic —

— a Senior & Lead Product (UI / UX) Designer & Researcher specialising in Accessibility, Universal & Trauma Informed Design methods



My background originates in Product (Physical) Design, where I worked with Visually & Hearing impaired peoples to create digital & physical hybrid products that solved problems and aided the community.
Through User Centred Design practises, I developed a deep understanding of different design processes and a love of people & behavioural psychology.

Still from an instructional video for a Visual Impairment Aid to read paper documents aloud (e.g. bank statement, letters or food menus). Created in 2012

 

When I took the step into the Digital Product realm, this knowledge was brought along from Physical Product, and the goal was set — 'to make the web inclusive for all'.

Since I have worked on a multitude of projects, both apps & sites, that keep the user in mind and aim to be as intuitive to use as possible.

Through using testing techniques at all stages of the design process, we can create better things that more people will adopt into their lives. When we make things easier for the user, regardless of their ability, we open the world up to everyone, and make it a better place. We can solve real life problems; We can solve the little ones too.

Outside of work I can be found head nodding to live music, chasing after dogs I don't own, solo-backpacking around the world (40 countries and counting.. clearly), taking lots of photos on film cameras, making large scale art installations for festivals and finding sustainable bargains at op shops/ second hand stores.

 
 
 

 
 
Nic is one of the kindest, most genuine souls I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with. Having spoken to her clients and peers, these sentiments are shared. Her attitude to her work is exemplary and this effort is infectious and rubs off on our team, which is worth its weight in gold. This reflects in her standard of work, which is very high. The whole company has benefited from Nic’s enthusiasm to embrace positive social impact. She explains her designs well, with sound rationale to back it up. She communicates her design intention in her own style, she is well spoken and communicates effectively. Clients on each project continue to be super, super happy with her. She has an excellent understanding of how to communicate with clients. Nic is always an active and willing participant of all our design rituals and continues to give 100% effort with everything she undertakes. Her work is brilliant and she’s great to work with.
A real superstar.
— Oliver Newbery, Principle Visual Designer, Managed Nicole at Bound from 2019-2022
 
 

 
Nicole has been very enthusiastic and fun to work with. She has an excellent manner and curiosity when doing user research, and can build up a great rapport with users very quickly. She’s incredibly passionate about helping disabled people through design, which is inspiring.
— Sam Jewell, Head of Technology & Founder, managed Nicole at Matopy in 2014
 
 
 

 

Talks

What’s the difference between UX & UI?
UX Australia Conference
2022 • Melbourne, AU

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Ethics in Design
RMIT University
2017 • Melbourne, AU

 
 

 

Awards

Driven x Design Award x 2
Silver  • For: Kids First & LUCRF Super
2020 & 2021 • AU

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NAB Hackathon
First Place  • For: Account Closures Flow
2021 • AU

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Dyson Design Award
Second Place  • For: Giraffe Reader
2015 • UK

 

 

Shows

Life Examined
By: London Design Festival
2013 • London, UK

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New Designers
By: London Design Week
2012 • London, UK 

 
 

 
 
 

Skills | User Interface Design / User Experience Design / Visual Communication / Branding / Illustration / Research & Synthesising / Problem Solving / User Testing / Workshop Facilitation / Solutions Mapping / Brainstorming Sessions


 
 

Hosting a workshop for the design of an educational safety game for kids in 2016 See full case study

 
 

 
 
I have had the opportunity to work with Nicole for close to a year, and in that time I’ve always been impressed with the quality of her work, and the maturity of her thinking. She has carefully crafted methods, tools and approaches to design work which has helped set a standard and inspire others on the team. Most importantly, she has a talent for empathising with and understanding the end user, and a passion for helping people more generally. In her time at Palo, this was evidenced by her leadership of the Accessibility and Inclusive Design chapter in Australia. I would not hesitate to recommend Nicole to any team interested in evolving their design practice.
— Mark Bohem, Head of Design, Managed Nicole at Palo IT in 2023
 
 

 
Nicole was always diligent, capable, enthusiastic, eager to learn and well presented. She took ownership of everything she worked on and responsibility for ensuring it exceeded expectations.
— Ross Atkin, Project Lead, Managed Nicole at Helen Hamlyn Centre in 2012
 
 
 

 
Nicole is a strategic and highly socially aware designer. UX / Reserach is her starting point and framework when embarking on a project and Nic is in my experience a very clear communicator of her vision and has the unique ability to collaborate well and facilitate in multi-disciplinary teams. We were able to work on an extremely varied set of projects together so I can attest to her range.
— Georgia Lewis, Digital Designer, Worked with Nicole at Portable in 2017
 
 

Hosting a workshop for a Mental Health App for Paramedics in 2023 See full case study

 


Family Violence Children’s Charity Site

See Full Case Study →

 

Service for Deaf & Hard of Hearing

See Full Case Study →