RESOURCES


Practical insights on design systems, collaboration, podcasting, and building better teams. Whether you're a designer, writer, product leader, or creative professional navigating a new challenge, you may find something useful.

Got any questions about applying these to your specific context? Feel free to contact me.


Design management


“Why you need a weekly ‘craft time’ according to an Atlassian design manager” – originally comissioned by the editorial team at InVision for Inside Design

Key takeaways:


  • "Design systems thrive as services, not products - measure their value in hours saved"
  • "Cross-pollination is crucial - put designers in a room together and watch them grow"
  • "Start small, solve well, repeat often - that's how design systems scale"

    • Design systems


    “Exploring the souls of design systems” – originally comissioned by the editorial team at InVision for Inside Design

    Key takeaways:

    • "Design systems aren't handcuffs - they're Lego sets for grown-ups"
    • "Good design systems are like good bass players - they support without stealing the show"
    • "The future of design systems isn't standardization - it's personalization"

    Cross-functional collaboration


    “Name a more iconic duo: the benefits of cross-functional collaboration” – originally comissioned for Cardigan Street, the online publication showcasing work from RMIT’s professional writing and editing program

    Key takeaways:


    • "Great collaborations need clear boundaries, not just creative chemistry"
    • "When two talents collide, drop the ego and pick up a plan"
    • "Failed collaborations aren't wasted time - they're tomorrow's wisdom"

    Hiring & interviewing 


    “Eight designers tell us their tips for landing a second interview” – originally comissioned by the editorial team at InVision for Inside Design

    Key takeaways:


  • "Don't just show your portfolio - tell its story"
  • "Missing half the requirements? Apply anyway - gaps can be bridged"
  • "Your next job isn't about your past skills - it's about your future value"

    • Organisational design


    “What is Conway’s Law?” – originally comissioned by the editorial team at Atlassian’s Work Life, featuring Seb Chan (current CEO and former CXO of ACMI)

    Key takeaways:


  • "Your org chart isn't just structure - it's your product's DNA"
  • "Small teams move fast, but transparent teams move forward"
  • "Want better systems? Let the frontline design them"

    • Podcasting & audio narratives


    “On how writers can stretch their skillset” – originally comissioned by Newswrite for Issue 244, Summer 2019

    Key takeaways:


    • “Ears engage differently than eyes—embrace audio's unique intimacy”
    • “Fill the gaps in literary conversation that other mediums can't reach”
    • “Build relationships, not just subscriber counts—connection outlasts metrics”
    • “Your podcast is a creative laboratory where unexpected opportunities grow”
    • “Audio is the affordable prototype for ideas before they hit the page”

    “So you want to make a podcast?” – International Podcast Day feature for The Big Issue #620

    Key takeaways:


    • "Good podcasts grow from great communities"
    • "Practice matters more than fancy equipment"
    • "A real story beats a polished script everytime"

    “What’s next? The future of podcasting in the Australian book and publishing industries” – news round-up, originally published in 2018 on Books+Publishing to bookend a year-long interview series learning from Australian podcasters working across the publishing and media sectors. 

    Want more insights? Read the original, deeply reported full-length feature, learning from Australian podcasters across independent, institutional, and traditional media contexts. The full feature includes voices from ABC Radio National's Daniel Browning, Sydney Writers' Festival's Michaela McGuire, Schwartz Media's Erik Jensen, State Library Victoria's Justine Hyde, Wheeler Centre's Jon Tjhia, and independent creators Fiona Wright, Taku Mbudzi, and Lorin Clarke, among more voices. 

    Key takeaways:


  • “Infrastructure decides who participates—technology alone doesn't democratize the medium”
  • “DIY podcasting needs collective support, not just individual passion”
  • “Cross-sector knowledge sharing fills gaps that any single sector can't address alone”

    • Sales and partnerships


    ‘Partner with me...’ was a Q&A-style series run by Crossbeam in 2020.

    Q&A with Tara Larson from Intercom – originally commissioned by the editorial team at Crossbeam

    Key takeaways:


    • "Smart partnerships come in different flavors - mix tech builders, service providers, and rising stars"
    • "The best deals help both sides make more money and keep customers longer"
    • "When building partnerships, trust your gut on community building but get ruthless about measuring results"

    Q&A with Robin Yerex from Kira Systems – originally commissioned by the editorial team at Crossbeam

    Key takeaways:


    • "True partnership means being strong enough to stay friends even when you compete"
    • "Let partners and developers be the heroes - your job is giving them the tools to shine"
    • "Great AI isn't about replacing humans - it's about making their expertise scalable"

    Service blueprinting & service design


    How to make effective service blueprints: a guide featuring Kim Richards, a (former) senior service designer in the NSW Department of Customer Service, currently at Service NSW, originally developed for the Miro blog

    Key takeaways:


    • "Front stage dazzles, backstage delivers - blueprint both or watch your service crumble"
    • "Emotion mapping isn't optional - pain points are profit leaks in disguise"
    • "Time is the invisible ingredient - blueprint it to see where customer patience evaporates"
    • "Start small, think big - tiny blueprints unlock budget for the masterpiece"