Venture Designer at Gambito Venture Studio
I use design thinking principles to solve wicked problems. I am curious about human behaviour and have a bias for action. I take organisations out of their comfort zone by experimenting with a systematic and data-driven approach, and help them get good at being "lucky". Organisations I've worked with include Apple, Vodafone, HSBC Bank, SkyNews, Marriott Hotels, Santander Bank, Ministry of Social Development, & Air New Zealand. Now have started my own venture studio, launching 1 start-up every quarter.
As the owner of a venture studio, I'm all about the magic of bootstrapping and doing more with less. It's not just about saving pennies; it's about smart strategies and making the most of every opportunity.
I love diving into the nuts and bolts of career progression frameworks, figuring out what makes people tick and how to help them grow. Especially in startups where flexibility is key. In these dynamic environments, I emphasise the importance of team members developing a diverse skill set. It's not just about being good at one thing; it's about being adaptable, learning on the go, and being ready to wear multiple hats.
As a UX/Design specialist, my passion extends beyond creating visually appealing designs to ensuring each element demonstrates tangible value to the user and the business. In the competitive and fast-paced world of startups, I focus on conducting "just enough research" to inform my design decisions without getting bogged down in analysis paralysis.
My journey has taught me that the true essence of successful entrepreneurship lies in the ability to not just conceive ideas, but to rigorously test and validate them in real-world scenarios. At Gambito, I've had the privilege of crafting and leading our flagship program – the Idea Evaluation Sprint. This unique initiative is designed specifically for entrepreneurs who are at the crucial stage of validating their business concepts.
User Research, particularly through qualitative interviews, is a specialty I hold dear. My expertise lies in conducting in-depth, empathetic conversations that unearth genuine user insights, all while maintaining an unbiased analytical lens. I blend the philosophy of 'Just Enough Research' with nuances of Behaviour Design, which enables me to delve into user psychology and needs without getting lost in data, and drive meaningful actions.
My experience with Figma goes beyond just creating aesthetically pleasing interfaces; it's about leveraging its collaborative features to enhance team synergy and workflow efficiency.
Armic's leadership at Gambito is characterised by her commitment to collective intelligence and a profound love for experimentation. Her expertise in seamlessly aligning product design with customer needs and business strategies has been crucial in launching ventures that are not only innovative but also commercially viable.
- Lead the experience design practice and work as part of the leadership team to improve quality of outputs, increase internal efficiencies and implement agile ways of working. - Work with ASB Bank across various initiatives including Investment Education Tool, First Home Buyer journey, Everyday Banking, Credit Cards and Financial Wellbeing. - Plan, execute and lead research from insight generation, opportunity identification, to concept validation for a niche online learning platform with global audience.
- Mentoring & leading team of UX and visual designers. - Setup Usability testing lab to live stream and analyse user tests & interviews with agile teams and stakeholders. - Member of the Agile team for Regional Facilities Auckland web programme to revamp the websites of Auckland Zoo, Auckland Conventions Centre, Auckland Live, Auckland Art Gallery & Auckland Stadiums. - Conducted user research and set information architecture for Child Cancer Foundation revamped website and online donation flow which increased donations by 75% compared to 2016.
- Set guidelines, design language and UX approach for Apple’s first Arabic website(s) - Was part of the team working on the UI design & animation for Apple Watch's in-store iPad application used globally - Translated usability and field research findings done for Santander Bank UK into UX improvements - Participated in 3 product launch workshops for Apple in Cupertino after attending training in their London offices - Planned and conducted requirements gathering and analysis, competitive research, conceptual modelling and usability testing, including an audit of the current portals for HSBC Bank which led us to revamp the HSBC Global Connections mobile app - Created wireframes and information architecture using participatory and interactive design techniques for GroupM website revamp project