About me
I've always had this itch for creativity, though I initially thought my calling was in the kitchen, not behind a design desk. A stint managing a ski chalet in France showed me the reality wasn't as romantic as it seemed. But it wasn't a wasted season, it taught me empathy, understanding the client's needs just like I understood the palate of a diner. So, I swapped spatulas for brushes and headed to art college, paying my way with kitchen gigs. That culinary detour? It's what fuels my commitment to delivering not just designs, but experiences for clients.
When faced with a design challenge, I dive deep. Research isn't just a box to tick; it's a journey to the heart of the problem. I'm all about questions, asking them, answering them, letting them guide the creative process. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about understanding, empathy, and solving real problems. That's why I'm a staunch advocate for the user-centered design approach, it's not about what looks good to me, but what works best for them.
Every design problem is a puzzle waiting to be solved, and I thrive on the challenge. From healthcare to hospitality, I've dipped my toes into various sectors, relishing the diversity of experiences. There's a certain thrill in untangling complex issues and distilling them into elegant, user-friendly solutions. It's not just about the end product; it's about the journey of discovery, the aha moments that make it all worthwhile.
If I had to pick a favourite project, it'd be like choosing a favourite child, impossible. But if I must, the Parenta project holds a special place in my heart. It was a deep dive into end-to-end product design, where I honed my skills in UX, UI, and illustration. Seeing it come to life, knowing it made a tangible difference, it's a feeling like no other.
Beyond pixels and vectors, life beckons with its own adventures. When I'm not glued to my screen, I'm a proud father of two, finding solace and exhilaration in the virtual world of Zwift and the great outdoors. Triathlon training without the actual race, road biking through scenic routes, and plunging into chilly waters for a bout of outdoor swimming, it's my therapy, my escape. And when I'm not breaking a sweat, you'll find me buried in books, soaking up knowledge on design, productivity, and the endless pursuit of self-improvement. After all, life's too short to stop learning and exploring, both on and off the screen.
Design philosophy
Everything is a system
When solving problems, I look at everything as a system and I try to avoid oversimplifying the problem by making sure I dig past apparent problems to root causes.
Seek clarity always
I constantly seek clarity and avoid ambiguity when presented with design challenges, I ensure the information is clearly conveyed to users and actions are intuitive.
Never stop iterating
I believe that iteration brings powerful results in design and I try to iterate as much as possible by validating design decisions at different stages of the design process.
More questions, less assumptions
I am constantly asking questions at every stage of the design process. I avoid assumptions as much as possible and I am constantly talking to users, stakeholders, team members.
Experience
2021 - 2023
UX UI DESIGNER
ACCA
2020 - 2021
UX UI DESIGNER
SPORTS INTERACTIVE - SEGA
2016 - 2019
UX UI DESIGNER
PARENTA LLP
2011 - 2016
SENIOR GRAPHIC & DIGITAL DESIGNER
SUBMISSION TECHNOLOGY
2010
WEB DESIGNER
SAGA
2010
CREATIVE
VISARC
2001 - 2009
SENIOR GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGNER
NAKEDVINE
1999 - 2001
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
BYRNE HUDSON NOTT
1996 - 2001
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
TONY BENSTED DESIGN
Contact
If you’d like to talk about a project, ask me some questions, or just want to say hi, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
© Harvey Dennis 2024