forest-tv

About me

I’m a curious and compassionate designer, with a strong background in languages and the arts.

I’m obsessed with learning (see my timeline), and I’m always looking for ways to improve.

Outside of work, you might find me painting, dancing, learning languages or spending time out in nature.

Annie smiling and talking with a group of students.

Above: My previous life, as a language teacher

I still love languages. I also love trying to understand how others think, and find it immensely rewarding to provide people with tools that help them get about their daily lives.

As a designer, I get to do these things while using my creativity and using visual language to help support others.

Timeline

  • The Information Access Group (2022–now)

    • Bachelor of Design — UX specialisation

  • Monash University (2019–22)

    • Bachelor of Design — UX specialisation

  • RMIT (2018)

    • Visual Arts Diploma

  • Primus English (2017–19)

    • English as a Foreign Language teacher

  • RMIT English Worldwide (2016)

    • CELTA teaching certificate

  • Albert-Ludwigs Universität (2015–16)

    • 1 year study abroad in Freiburg, Germany
      Recipient of Global Languages Scholarship, 2015

  • The University of Melbourne (2013–16)

    • Completed 1 year in a Bachelor of Science, then transferred and completed the Bachelor of Arts — Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, German Language major

My current role

I’ve been working at the accessible communications agency, the Information Access Group, since early 2022.

I’ve worked with over 70 clients on over 340 projects, delivering high-quality outcomes for clients that centre diverse users with different needs.

My roles includes creating accessible communication formats, such as Easy Read, and designing usable products with compelling graphics that simplify complex information.

I also lead testing sessions, working with users to find problems with the usability and accessibility of our products before launch. This provides the basis for actionable design changes which improve the product to better service users’ needs.

Below: Some fun marketing illustrations for the Information Access Group

A group of children smiling and reading a book.
A person smiling and typing on a computer. There is a speaker icon above them.
An illustration of a guide dog.
A group of people wearing different costumes and outfits. They are in front of a dragon.

Personal values I care about

Personal values are my ‘true north’. Values help guide my decisions and actions in my personal life, and at work. These are some of the more important ones for me:

  • Respect

  • Compassion

  • Learning

  • Honesty

  • Creativity

  • Fun and humour :-)

Annie drawing. There is a cat and lots of art supplies in the picture.

Above: Mixed-media art time

Random facts

  • I spent a year studying abroad in Freiburg, Germany, to improve my German language skills

  • I’ve lived on a boat for 3 months in the South Pacific

  • I am a language nerd— I finished VCE Japanese during high-school via distance education, voluntarily going to Saturday school for 3 years to do this (!)

  • I’ve recently started learning dance as an adult (ballet, hip-hop, jazz and contemporary). Humble beginnings, but lots of fun!

  • I started out in a Bachelor of Science, focusing on Chemistry and Biology, initially wanting to go down a Marine Biology or Zoology pathway

  • I used to teach painting classes, at a paint and sip art studio

Below: Some of my artwork. I love the hands-on nature of traditional media, and particularly enjoy oil painting, and printmaking.

I’m keen to design and develop a separate website to showcase and promote my art. (I’ve built up a lot of artworks over time!)

A collection of different artworks, made by Annie.