Hi, I'm Justin. Welcome to my digital home, where I share my work, thoughts, and anything else that sparks my interest. I've spoken at events like Google Cloud Next, won awards for my work, and led teams through a range of challenges – from small-scale initiatives to large-scale business transformations.

Throughout my career, I've always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and human behaviour. This has led me to specialise in user-centric design, effective IT leadership, and innovative UX strategies. I'm passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and create meaningful experiences for people.

Background

I've been steering the ship of web teams since the wild west days of the internet—way back in '96 when dial-up was king and animated GIFs were the height of sophistication. I started my journey in the innovative tech scene of Scotland, honing my skills at boutique development shops before embarking on a grand adventure with the United Nations.

Whilst immersing my self in Scandinavia, I decided I might as well dive into the deep end of Scandinavian learning, earning my master's degree from the one-and-only Hyper Island. Talk about an eye-opening experience! It completely transformed how I think about teams, technology, and design. And even though I've been away from my Scottish homeland for over a decade, I've arguably managed to hold on to my sense of humour (and, apparently, my accent).

IT Leadership

I have over 25 years of experience leading and mentoring IT teams, with a strong focus on building high-performing, collaborative environments. I believe that psychological safety is key to unlocking a team's full potential, so I strive to create spaces where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, taking risks, and learning from mistakes. I excel at problem-solving, identifying emerging trends, and translating complex ideas into actionable solutions.

My leadership style is a blend of coaching, mentoring, and hands-on involvement. I'm always looking for ways to empower my team members, provide them with the resources they need to succeed, and help them grow both professionally and personally. I believe that a strong leader is not only someone who can set a vision and guide a team towards it, but also someone who can inspire, motivate, and create a sense of shared purpose.

Human-Centric Design

At the core of my design philosophy is the belief that technology should be designed with the user in mind. This means understanding their needs, preferences, and behaviours, and using that knowledge to create intuitive, enjoyable, and meaningful experiences. I believe that accessibility, equity, and inclusivity are essential components of any design process, and I'm committed to creating products that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.

I'm a strong advocate for design thinking, a human-centred approach to problem-solving that emphasises empathy, experimentation, and iteration. By involving users throughout the design process, we can ensure that our products truly meet their needs and exceed their expectations. I also believe in the importance of continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies to create cutting-edge solutions.

UX Strategy

With a deep understanding of both web technologies and user behaviour, I'm able to bridge the gap between technical possibilities and human needs. I leverage a range of industry-standard methodologies, including user research, design thinking, and design sprints, to develop effective UX strategies. My focus is on creating innovative, user-friendly, and impactful products that deliver tangible value to both users and businesses.

I believe that a successful UX strategy goes beyond simply creating a good user interface. It's about understanding the user's journey, identifying pain points, and finding opportunities to delight them. It's about creating products that are not only easy to use but also enjoyable and memorable. I'm committed to using my skills and experience to help organisations achieve their goals and create a positive impact on the world through design.