Aloha!

I facilitate design thinking, mindfulness and systemic collaboration to help organisations and startups create purposeful, inclusive and sustainable experiences

Lately, I’ve been helping:

  • EOS Additive Manufacturing shift towards human-centred approach;

  • Eurotech improve the task completion and easy-of-use of an Internet of Things software;

  • Mangrovia envision and strategise the future experience sustainable marketplace empowered by AI and blockchain;

  • LUMSA University’s student learn and practice UX and service design;

  • Italian designers connect and explore the role of design in the ecological transition, as leader of the Climate Designers Italy Hub

“He added a dimension to a project that will elevate any piece of work to another level.”

CRAIG BROWN, DIRECTOR @ LEGAL&GENERAL

For more than 10 years, I brought design thinking and lean innovation to international organisations, startups and creatives

    • Explore business opportunities

    • Secure investment fundings

    • Grow teams strategically

    • Increase customers’ adoption, engagement and retention

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    • Better understanding customers and stakeholders

    • Improve staff efficiency and customer relationships

    • Reduce costs or increase revenue

    • Break organisational silos and improve internal collaboration

    • Envision and validate new businesses, services or products

    • Build a human-centred, lean and agile culture

Innovation is hard, overwhelming and full of risks.

This is how I help manage them

  • Inclusive participatory design

    Inclusive participatory design

    I facilitate safe spaces where stakeholders, experts, employees and citizens feel included, able and confident in endorsing projects and contributing with inputs, feedback and ideas.

  • Data-driven decision making

    Data-driven decision making

    I research and synthesise to transform overwhelming and unclear data about systems, processes, and people into available, understandable and insightful information.

  • Shared visions and learning opportunities

    Shared visions and learning opportunities

    I create a shared understanding between stakeholders by bringing to life visions, strategies and experiences and collecting data to validate assumptions.

“Stef brings the type of design leadership the world needs more of (and probably your organisation too!).
Zero toxic-masculinity vibes or bravado. A gentle soul with a brilliant and rare way of thinking.”

KURTIS JOHNSON, ORG DESIGNER AT FUTUREGOV

10+ years of
experience designing experiences

  • A photo of me while facilitating an hackathon

    Business & Service design

    I practised, lead and facilitated the research, design and validation of new businesses, services, partnerships and digital products.

  • A user persona and a service blueprint of his housing repair journey

    Cultural change & Digital transformation

    I’ve helped private and public organisations break silos between different teams to understand systemic problems, improve service delivery and develop inclusive organisational cultures.

  • A testing session of a data-driven planning tool for affordable housing

    Place design

    I’ve helped public sector organisations engage and collaborate with experts and citizens to design regenerative, inclusive and digital cities, services and communities.

  • Some of the screenshot of a startup's product strategy

    Strategy, envisioning and delivery

    I’ve helped entrepreneurs define and validate new business models by strategising research, bringing to life visions, services and products, and shaping pitches to engage with investors, stakeholders and customers.

  • A Miro canvas where I facilitated a FutureGov workshop for climate design principles

    Design practice

    I’ve helped the FutureGov design team develop the design practice on climate and diversity&inclusion. I also organised Creative Mornings, events for the London community to meet and learn.

  • My microphone and laptop during a podcast recording session

    Podcasting

    I’m the host & producer of Design, in Confidence – a podcast on how to build your creative confidence and manage your mental health

  • A photo of me helping a student at RED Academy

    Teaching & Mentoring

    I’m a professor at the LUMSA University and mentor on ADPList – I previously taught design at RED Academy, UAL and within business teams.

  • Me giving a talk

    Talks

    I’ve given talks at conferences and within organisations to evangelise design thinking, human-centred design and mindful innovation.

EXPERIENCE

I love helping creatives learn and grow

I’ve taught design courses, manage creative communities, and mentor designers on ADPList

His support has been invaluable.

He respected the contract brief but at the same time made us and our stakeholders think outside the boundaries of the project. He also worked with our stakeholders and helped us take their views on board during the development process. All this generated new insights which made us re-think important aspects of the tool

DR. EVA-MARIA SCHOLZ, EXPERT @ NATURAL ENGLAND