I solve complex user problems through research and strategy - implemented with empathy and vision.

I'm a strategic, research-led designer with expertise in complex digital platforms and services across public healthcare, education, AI, data privacy and publishing. I connect insight, systems thinking and craft to uncover opportunities, challenge assumptions and deliver holistic, human-centred experiences at scale. Oh, and I like to laugh at work :)

Previously at Musgrave, SpringerNature and OpenMined.

Career highlights

Take a look at some of the products and services I've been proud to shape - showcasing my leadership, design thinking skills and dedication to accessible, inclusive experiences.

Modular messaging: co-designing awareness

Aligning the Irish Cancer Society on core messaging and principles of awareness and prevention, through collaborative workshops.

Service design• Healthcare • Public services• 2026

Patient education: Deep Brain Stimulation surgery

A cross-disciplinary design sprint to improve education for movement disorder patients preparing for Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, applying human-centred and service design principles to translate clinical insights into patient-facing educational solutions.

Service design • Healthcare • Public services• 2025

View portfolio

My design philosophy

I believe good design is driven by research and strategy - implemented with empathy and vision.

Core values

Design with integrity
Stay curious
Challenge inclusively
Learn from others

My design philosophy

I believe good design is driven by research and strategy - implemented with empathy and vision.

Core values

Design with integrity
Stay curious
Challenge inclusively
Learn from others

My design philosophy

I believe good design is driven by research and strategy - implemented with empathy and vision.

Core values

Design with integrity
Stay curious
Challenge inclusively
Learn from others

Testimonials

From non-profits and SME to corporate - here's what my colleagues say about working with me :)

Robin Hayward
Lead UI Designer • SpringerNature
"Time-after-time Tess delivered successful, progressive and beautiful design solutions, always communicating her design-thinking brilliantly to team members and wider stakeholders. She has also been fantastic at advocating design system thinking, helping embed living style-guides, component libraries and design systems while working across multiple brands and interfaces."
Kyoko Eng
Head of Design • OpenMined
"I can definitely say that Tess quickly becomes a team player that you can depend on. She's hard-working, curious, and has a keen sense of user experience. I find myself drawing inspiration from her ideas weekly and can rest easy knowing that she is not only going to complete her tasks but will do so in a way that is thoughtful and inventive. I would highly recommend her to any design or product team."
FJ van Wingerde
Lead UX Designer • SpringerNature
"Tess' pre-digital background in other creative industries is an enormous asset, because it gave her flexibility. It was quite remarkable how quickly she would blend into creative teams with UX and Content designers, or work together with her visual design lead on more strategic directions, and instantly be productive and make working fun."
Doireann Ni Ghrioghair
Senior UX/UI Designer • Musgrave
"I was really impressed by Tess' pro-active attitude in identifying gaps in research and project process and taking the initiative to address those gaps. UX benchmarking was lacking on the products she was working with and she took active steps to establish this – reaching out to and managing various stakeholders in the process. Ultimately, this was a very valuable contribution to the UX strategy of these products."

Robin Hayward
Lead UI Designer • SpringerNature
"Time-after-time Tess delivered successful, progressive and beautiful design solutions, always communicating her design-thinking brilliantly to team members and wider stakeholders. She has also been fantastic at advocating design system thinking, helping embed living style-guides, component libraries and design systems while working across multiple brands and interfaces."
Kyoko Eng
Head of Design • OpenMined
"I can definitely say that Tess quickly becomes a team player that you can depend on. She's hard-working, curious, and has a keen sense of user experience. I find myself drawing inspiration from her ideas weekly and can rest easy knowing that she is not only going to complete her tasks but will do so in a way that is thoughtful and inventive. I would highly recommend her to any design or product team."
FJ van Wingerde
Lead UX Designer • SpringerNature
"Tess' pre-digital background in other creative industries is an enormous asset, because it gave her flexibility. It was quite remarkable how quickly she would blend into creative teams with UX and Content designers, or work together with her visual design lead on more strategic directions, and instantly be productive and make working fun."
Doireann Ni Ghrioghair
Senior UX/UI Designer • Musgrave
"I was really impressed by Tess' pro-active attitude in identifying gaps in research and project process and taking the initiative to address those gaps. UX benchmarking was lacking on the products she was working with and she took active steps to establish this – reaching out to and managing various stakeholders in the process. Ultimately, this was a very valuable contribution to the UX strategy of these products."