Hello, I'm Hal

I’m a Product Design Leader with a knack for creating digital experiences that blend beauty with functionality. With a background in product design, strategy, and team leadership, I’ve worked with some of the industry’s most well-known brands—Atlassian, Channel 4, Transport for London, and Sky—to design products that genuinely make a difference.

My design philosophy is rooted in the idea that impactful work goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about solving real problems. I approach each project with a balance of user research, data-driven insights, and iterative testing to deliver solutions that work seamlessly and feel intuitive. Whether it’s boosting user engagement for platforms with hundreds of thousands of users or leading a design overhaul that directly impacts revenue, I’m passionate about using design to drive meaningful results.

$30m+

revenue generated

500k+

MAU growth

550%

expand rate generated

70%

project success rate

Select design work

Design philosophy

Design balance

Successful design always puts customer needs first. While it’s important to balance this with business requirements, technical constraints, and industry standards. Achieving this equilibrium ensures that designs are not only user-centred but also practical and aligned with broader objectives.

Design systems

Every design decision we make is part of a bigger picture, influencing the system as a whole. By understanding (and defining) these systems, we're able to improve decision-making, performance, and cohesion of user experiences.

Design accountability

Great design is measurable. Whether it’s improving customer sentiment or increasing a metric. Success comes from having clear goals and continuously monitoring outcomes. This accountability ensures that designs deliver real, tangible value.

Design psychology

Design is shaped by understanding technology and the human mind. This library of patterns, behaviours, methods, and studies help us create consistent, seamless, and natural experiences. 

Design process

discover-and-define

Discover & Define

I focus on aligning business goals with user needs through collaborative strategy, research, and UX workshops, ensuring every design decision balances functionality with user delight. By deeply engaging with stakeholders and analysing user insights, I create experiences that drive satisfaction and meet strategic objectives.

IMG_0305-20240423-231009

Design

In the design phase, I translate complex ideas into functional prototypes and wireframes, ensuring each element aligns with user needs and business goals. My process involves diveraging and then converging through a DVF framework. This takes all disciplines into account while aiming to design useable and delightful experience.

design

Validate & Deliver

I use research methodologies like SEQ/PURE, concept testing, experimentation to validate and refine designs, ensuring they meet user expectations and business goals. This process reveals both what works and areas for improvement, allowing for continuous enhancement of the product.

What people say about me

Michael Chindamo – Experience Design Manager at Atlassian
I had the pleasure of managing Hal, a truly exceptional product designer, whose impact on our team and projects was nothing short of transformative. Hal's ability to drive product and design direction forward was evident in every initiative he took on. He was not just an advocate for quality design but for delivering meaningful, impactful experiences.

Hal consistently ensured that our design teams were calibrated and aligned, allowing us to achieve maximum impact across various functions. As the true definition of a T-shaped designer, Hal’s expertise spans from high-level strategy and direction to world-class execution. I witnessed firsthand his exceptional skill in tackling large, complex, and often ambiguous problem spaces, where he always delivered results that positively impacted both business goals and customer satisfaction. He approaches challenges with pragmatism, balancing creative vision with tangible outcomes.

Hal’s soft skills are equally impressive. I saw countless examples of his ability to bring together multidisciplinary teams, engaging each member in a way that maximized their individual contributions. He is a natural leader and an outstanding team player, bringing out the best in everyone around him.

In every sense, Hal is a true designer and an amazing human being. His strong design leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to driving business outcomes make him an invaluable asset to any team. Working alongside him was a joy, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact he will undoubtedly make in his career.
Natalie Oei – Senior Product Manager at Atlassian
Hal is an exceptional talent and rockstar design partner who effortlessly balances team and customer needs. His ability to deliver diverse, high-quality designs is unmatched, from organizing effective workshops to crafting comprehensive design visions across multiple contexts, Hal can do it all. I feel incredibly fortunate to have benefited from his creative expertise at Atlassian, where we tackled defining new growth areas together. Hal played a crucial role in helping us navigate unfamiliar terrain and securing substantial early growth victories through his workshops, concept tests, and strategic insights. Anyone would be lucky to have Hal's design leadership on the team.
Mini Kil – Director at Everyday Sabbatical
Hal is the most thoughtful, organized, pragmatic, extremely creative, designer I've worked with. I've worked with Hal at a multinational corporation and for my own start-up business - and he has delivered on my vision, regardless of budget or organization/environment. He takes an idea and executes it into the requested design, then provides 2 other options with his creative perspective ... and my reaction is always ... "That's exactly what I want but would've never thought". He meets deadlines and over-delivers. Recently, he created a template for me - and structured the template and folder structure so I could easily and efficiently create my own versions (without me asking). He'll always be my go-to designer.
Tony Sobers – HCD Lead at Lloyds Banking Group
I would have loved to have the chance to work more closely with Hal but sadly he decided to relocate to the other side of the world so that put paid to my plan. Whilst working together it was clear the he was a great team leader and fitted comfortably in the role of Design Lead (Art Director). Despite the limited range of design options available he was never flustered - actually he seemed to enjoy the challenge. Internet banking doesn’t always appear the most exciting area but Hal always managed to add something to an idea. What you need to know is that he’s a great designer; thoughtful, articulate and full of great ideas. He’ll positively enhance your team.
Stephen Hardingham – Head of Design Online at Channel 4
Hal is a very talented and conscientious designer. He has a wide variety of skills and knowledge which he brings to bear on all of his work. He is highly creative and has an extremely sensitive and refined design eye. Hal brought a uniqueness, individuality and warmth to the design team at Channel 4 and his presence is missed. I wish him the very best for his future (which will undoubtedly be bright).
Bridget Pumfrey – Director at BPR
We commissioned Hal to design the website for our new business earlier this year. In the end we were so impressed that we asked him to re-think our colours, create a logo and design our business cards! Hal has an exceptional talent for design and a very strong understanding of colours, font and everything that contributes to the brand. Hal is also a pleasure to work with and is very good at keeping his clients on track and ensuring deadlines are met. I would not hesitate to recommend Hal as a designer whatever field your business may be in.