Why My Approach is Unique

It’s taken me years to understand why my work transcends traditional labels like “artist” or “designer.” I approach every project through the lens of a collaborative, systems-thinking process that prioritises the human experience and meaningful impact. But those are big words! Word’s I really only learnt just recently.

While my technical style and approach to my designs remain deeply artistic, I see my art as a tool for social transformation rather than just aesthetic expression.

What makes my approach unique is the combination of design thinking, participatory design, and storytelling that underpins every project. Design is a language—one that uses colours and symbols to communicate messages, shape experiences, and activate spaces. Whether working with marginalised communities, government agencies, businesses, or youth groups, my goal is always the same: to co-create solutions that connect people, provoke thought, and drive change.

Photograph of workshop participant from “Scratchin’ the Surface: Raising young female voices through the frame of sustainability” for a youth-led street art installation at Gorman Arts Centre, ACT.

I draw from diverse influences, ranging from behavioural psychology to environmental systems, blending strategic design with creative problem-solving. My projects are transformed by research and collaboration, involving on-site engagement with communities and stakeholders who are most affected by the work. This ensures that the designs I create not only resonate with the people they are intended for but also reflect the values, needs, and narratives of those communities.

For me, design is not just about the final product, it’s about the journey. It’s about the workshops, conversations, co-design processes that informs each piece of work. The end result is just an artefact of this journey.

It’s about creating spaces, both physical and metaphorical, where diverse voices can come together and share in the creation of something that could make a difference. This commitment to collaboration, combined with a research-based approach, allows me to craft designs that are not just functional or visually appealing, but that also spark conversations, shift perceptions, and create real change.

“You Choose” Research-led government funded public mural commission with strong environmental messaging, inspired by field work undertaken with Molonglo River Reserve Environmental Protection Agency.

Good design has the power to engage people on a deeper level—provoking questions, inspiring new perspectives, encouraging action. It moves beyond the surface and delves into the heart of what matters most to the people I work with. This means using design not as a tool for branding or marketing, but as a platform for connection, empowerment, and transformation.

Ultimately, my work is about making a lasting impact—designing spaces, experiences, and campaigns that inspire people to ask “Why aren’t we already doing this?” and “What can we do to make the world a better place?” Through every project, I strive to excite those moments of curiosity and connection, helping communities build a more inclusive and sustainable future, one design at a time.

“Fair Dinkum” Challenging gender stereotypes using critical design and brand subversion for Surface Street Art Festival