About me

My love for design has been a journey of discovery.

My design career has been a life-long journey of discovery through learning and trying out new ideas.
A UX/UI Designer with 20+ years of experience in graphic design, content creation and product management.
I love combining user behaviour with storytelling to create engaging, intuitive digital design solutions.

Redesigning a company’s website from the ground up, renewed my passion for human-centred design. Combining my ‘can do’ attitude with 20+ years of visual/graphic design experience, I am adept at solving users’ problems from a creative perspective. Additional study delving into the principles of UX research and UI design has solidified my experience and ability to create digital products which meet business objectives, while ensuring customer needs are met through effective communication.

As an experienced designer with a demonstrated history working within the retail, hospitality, automotive,
non-profit, and professional association industries, I understand the complexities of finding the best solutions
to balance solving users needs while meeting stakeholders objectives.

I just like figuring things out.

What else I LOVE …

I truly enjoy hanging out with my two daughters, my two greatest creations, listening to their banter, being a shoulder to lean on. My partner and I are lucky they still enjoy spending time together as a family!

I also love to travel, explore art galleries and installations, meet up with friends and find time to relax and read.

FUN FACT! A dual citizen - I have lived half my life in Australia and the half in the US!

My love for design has been a
journey of discovery.

My design career has been a life-long journey of discovery through learning and trying out new ideas.
A UX/UI Designer with 20+ years of experience in graphic design, content creation and product management. I love combining user behaviour
with storytelling to create engaging, intuitive
digital design solutions.

Redesigning a company’s website from the ground up, renewed my passion for human-centred design. Combining my ‘can do’ attitude with 20+ years of visual/graphic design experience, I am adept at solving users’ problems from a creative perspective. Additional study delving into the principles of UX research and UI design has solidified my experience and ability to create digital products which meet business objectives, while ensuring customer needs are met through effective communication.

As an experienced designer with a demonstrated
history working within the retail, hospitality, automotive,
non-profit, and professional association industries,
I understand the complexities of finding the best solutions to balance solving users needs while
meeting stakeholders objectives.

I just like figuring things out.

What else I LOVE …

I truly enjoy hanging out with my two daughters, my two greatest creations, listening to their banter, being a shoulder to lean on. My partner and I are lucky they still enjoy spending time together as a family!

I also love to travel, explore art galleries and installations, meet up with friends and find time to relax and read.

FUN FACT! A dual citizen - I have lived half my life in Australia and the other half in the US!

My love for design has been a journey of discovery.

My design career has been a life-long journey of discovery through learning and trying out new ideas.
A UX/UI Designer with 20+ years of experience in graphic design, content creation and product management.
I love combining user behaviour with storytelling to create engaging, intuitive digital design solutions.

Redesigning a company’s website from the ground up, renewed my passion for human-centred design. Combining my ‘can do’ attitude with 20+ years of visual/graphic design experience, I am adept at solving users’ problems from a creative perspective. Additional study delving into the principles of UX research and UI design has solidified my experience and ability to create digital products which meet business objectives, while ensuring customer needs are met through effective communication.

As an experienced designer with a demonstrated history working within the retail, hospitality, automotive,
non-profit, and professional association industries, I understand the complexities of finding the best solutions
to balance solving users needs while meeting stakeholders objectives.

I just like figuring things out.

What else I LOVE …

I truly enjoy hanging out with my two daughters, my two greatest creations, listening to their banter, being a shoulder to lean on. My partner and I are lucky they still enjoy spending time together as a family!

I also love to travel, explore art galleries and installations, meet up with friends and find time to relax and read.

FUN FACT! A dual citizen - I have lived half my life in Australia and the half in the US!

Testimonials

“It was an incredible experience working with Karen as her project supervisor and course mentor.

During these client facing phases, Karen's ability as a natural problem solver and an incredibly deep thinker proved pivotal when it came to the success of the client projects. Whenever there were moments of intense debate and potential fracture within the team, Karen's ability to provide clarity but also bring the team together meant that not only the projects stayed on track, but more importantly the final outcome provided significant benefits for our clients and subsequently incredible value for their customers.

It's rare to find practitioners like Karen and can't wait to work with her again.”
Thiru Yoganathan
Academy Xi - Project Supervisor/Mentor & ANZ Experience Design Chapter Lead
“Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team and students
from Academy Xi's UX design program.

They were tasked with designing an app to help plan trips on public transport.

The final prototype they developed exceeded our expectations, incorporating traveller safety, accessibility needs, and providing a personalised experience for users. Bravo, team!”
Carmine Mastrantone
TfNSW - Senior Manager - Product Experience & Design
“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.

Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organisation. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualised PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”
Jean Hansen
Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee
“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product. I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority on this specialised field.

The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space. Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”
Andrew Munro
Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director
“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”
Sandra Massarotti
Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member
“It was an incredible experience working with Karen as her project supervisor and course mentor.

During these client facing phases, Karen's ability as a natural problem solver and an incredibly deep thinker proved pivotal when it came to the success of the client projects. Whenever there were moments of intense debate and potential fracture within the team, Karen's ability to provide clarity but also bring the team together meant that not only the projects stayed on track, but more importantly the final outcome provided significant benefits for our clients and subsequently incredible value for their customers.

It's rare to find practitioners like Karen and can't wait to work with her again.”
Thiru Yoganathan
Academy Xi - Project Supervisor/Mentor & ANZ Experience Design Chapter Lead
“Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team and students
from Academy Xi's UX design program.

They were tasked with designing an app to help plan trips on public transport.

The final prototype they developed exceeded our expectations, incorporating traveller safety, accessibility needs, and providing a personalised experience for users. Bravo, team!”
Carmine Mastrantone
TfNSW - Senior Manager - Product Experience & Design
“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.

Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organisation. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualised PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”
Jean Hansen
Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee
“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product. I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority on this specialised field.

The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space. Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”
Andrew Munro
Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director
“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”
Sandra Massarotti
Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member
“It was an incredible experience working with Karen as her project supervisor and course mentor.

During these client facing phases, Karen's ability as a natural problem solver and an incredibly deep thinker proved pivotal when it came to the success of the client projects. Whenever there were moments of intense debate and potential fracture within the team, Karen's ability to provide clarity but also bring the team together meant that not only the projects stayed on track, but more importantly the final outcome provided significant benefits for our clients and subsequently incredible value for their customers.

It's rare to find practitioners like Karen and can't wait to work with her again.”
Thiru Yoganathan
Academy Xi - Project Supervisor/Mentor & ANZ Experience Design Chapter Lead
“Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team and students
from Academy Xi's UX design program.

They were tasked with designing an app to help plan trips on public transport.

The final prototype they developed exceeded our expectations, incorporating traveller safety, accessibility needs, and providing a personalised experience for users. Bravo, team!”
Carmine Mastrantone
TfNSW - Senior Manager - Product Experience & Design
“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.

Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organisation. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualised PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”
Jean Hansen
Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee
“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product. I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority on this specialised field.

The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space. Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”
Andrew Munro
Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director
“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”
Sandra Massarotti
Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member
“It was an incredible experience working with Karen as her project supervisor and course mentor.

During these client facing phases, Karen's ability as a natural problem solver and an incredibly deep thinker proved pivotal when it came to the success of the client projects. Whenever there were moments of intense debate and potential fracture within the team, Karen's ability to provide clarity but also bring the team together meant that not only the projects stayed on track, but more importantly the final outcome provided significant benefits for our clients and subsequently incredible value for their customers.

It's rare to find practitioners like Karen and can't wait to work with her again.”
Thiru Yoganathan
Academy Xi - Project Supervisor/Mentor & ANZ Experience Design Chapter Lead
“Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team and students
from Academy Xi's UX design program.

They were tasked with designing an app to help plan trips on public transport.

The final prototype they developed exceeded our expectations, incorporating traveller safety, accessibility needs, and providing a personalised experience for users. Bravo, team!”
Carmine Mastrantone
TfNSW - Senior Manager - Product Experience & Design
“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.

Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organisation. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualised PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”
Jean Hansen
Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee
“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product. I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority on this specialised field.

The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space. Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”
Andrew Munro
Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director
“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”
Sandra Massarotti
Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member

Testimonials

“It was an incredible experience working with Karen as her project supervisor and course mentor.

During these client facing phases, Karen's ability as a natural problem solver and an incredibly deep thinker proved pivotal when it came to the success of the client projects. Whenever there were moments of intense debate and potential fracture within the team, Karen's ability to provide clarity but also bring the team together meant that not only the projects stayed on track, but more importantly the final outcome provided significant benefits for our clients and subsequently incredible value for their customers.

It's rare to find practitioners like Karen and can't wait to work with her again.”

Thiru Yoganathan

Academy Xi - Project Supervisor/Mentor & ANZ Experience Design Chapter Lead

“Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team and students
from Academy Xi's UX design program.

They were tasked with designing an app to help plan trips on public transport.

The final prototype they developed exceeded our expectations, incorporating traveller safety, accessibility needs, and providing a personalised experience for users. Bravo, team!”

Carmine Mastrantone

TfNSW - Senior Manager - Product Experience & Design

“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product.
I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority
on this specialised field.
The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I
was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space.
Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”

Andrew Munro

Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director

“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product.
I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority
on this specialised field.
The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I
was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space.
Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”

Andrew Munro

Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director

“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.
Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organization. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualized PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”

Jean Hansen

Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee

“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.
Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organization. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualized PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”

Jean Hansen

Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee

“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”

Sandra Massarotti

Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member

“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”

Sandra Massarotti

Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member

Testimonials

“It was an incredible experience working with Karen as her project supervisor and course mentor.

During these client facing phases, Karen's ability as a natural problem solver and an incredibly deep thinker proved pivotal when it came to the success of the client projects. Whenever there were moments of intense debate and potential fracture within the team, Karen's ability to provide clarity but also bring the team together meant that not only the projects stayed on track, but more importantly the final outcome provided significant benefits for our clients and subsequently incredible value for their customers.

It's rare to find practitioners like Karen and can't wait to work with her again.”

Thiru Yoganathan

Academy Xi - Project Supervisor/Mentor & ANZ Experience Design Chapter Lead

“It was an incredible experience working with Karen as her project supervisor and course mentor.

During these client facing phases, Karen's ability as a natural problem solver and an incredibly deep thinker proved pivotal when it came to the success of the client projects. Whenever there were moments of intense debate and potential fracture within the team, Karen's ability to provide clarity but also bring the team together meant that not only the projects stayed on track, but more importantly the final outcome provided significant benefits for our clients and subsequently incredible value for their customers.

It's rare to find practitioners like Karen and can't wait to work with her again.”

Thiru Yoganathan

Academy Xi - Project Supervisor/Mentor & ANZ Experience Design Chapter Lead

“Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team and students
from Academy Xi's UX design program.

They were tasked with designing an app to help plan trips on public transport.

The final prototype they developed exceeded our expectations, incorporating traveller safety, accessibility needs, and providing a personalised experience for users. Bravo, team!”

Carmine Mastrantone

TfNSW - Senior Manager - Product Experience & Design

“Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented team and students
from Academy Xi's UX design program.

They were tasked with designing an app to help plan trips on public transport.

The final prototype they developed exceeded our expectations, incorporating traveller safety, accessibility needs, and providing a personalised experience for users. Bravo, team!”

Carmine Mastrantone

TfNSW - Senior Manager - Product Experience & Design

“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.

Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organisation. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualised PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”

Jean Hansen

Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee

“Karen developed the graphics for IIDA’s Leaders Breakfast for Northern California (USA) for almost 15 years.

Leaders Breakfast is IIDA’s annual signature event for 500 attendees, for the Northern California Chapter (and globally) and a significant fund raiser for the organisation. She developed designs for the variety of graphics required for each annual event, including web-based informational pieces, physical and web-based invitations, podium graphics, centrepieces, table numbers, posters, and the event’s individualised PPT design. The graphics were designed by Karen to reflect the speaker selected for each year’s event. Speakers such as Amy Tan, Janine Benyus, Alice Waters, Paul Hawkins and Van Jones, to just name a few.

Karen became a valued member of our committee, and we grew to depend on her experience, insight and skills required for a successful event. Every year our attendees noted this was the “best event yet”, and that included the graphic designs developed for the program.”

Jean Hansen

Past Chair, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Leaders Breakfast Committee

“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product. I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority on this specialised field.

The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space. Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”

Andrew Munro

Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director

“The work performed by the XI team has been nothing short of amazing. The quality of work achieved in such
a short timeframe, and in such a specialised field has been impressive. In a short period of time, the team were able to understand the business, my USP, and the customer experience, to deliver an outstanding product. I would never have expected people from outside my industry to be able to speak with such authority on this specialised field.

The final product delivered has surpassed my expectations. The website design is beyond the scope I was envisioning, and as such, this has pushed me and my business into a more professional space. Without the XI team’s work, my website would not have reached the level of professionalism and detail it has. Thanks to the entire team!”

Andrew Munro

Pinnacle Oak - Owner and Director

“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”

Sandra Massarotti

Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member

“I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Karen on two client sprints while studying at Academy Xi. Our first project involved developing the branding and website design for Pinnacle Oak, a new cooperage agency. In our second sprint, we focused on designing innovative solutions for the Transport NSW Opal app.

During the Pinnacle Oak project, Karen led the creation of a detailed information architecture, which laid the foundation for a functional and effective website. As the team lead for the Transport NSW Opal app, I entrusted Karen with overseeing the entire design process, from information architecture to final prototypes. Based on our previous collaboration, I had full confidence in her leadership, calm demeanor, and her ability to deliver outstanding results, even under pressure. Her innovative idea of a homepage that adjusted dynamically based on the time of day earned high praise from the client.

Karen is a creative, thoughtful, kind, and hardworking designer. Her ability to stay calm under pressure taught me a lot, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable asset to any design team. Her dedication and design talent truly make her stand out, and I would love to collaborate with her again.”

Sandra Massarotti

Product Designer - Academy Xi sprint team member