A Life of Craft, Curiosity, and Creative Leadership.
My work has never been limited to one medium or discipline. I’ve shaped materials with my hands, built communities, designed products, redefined teams, and led enterprise-scale systems. Every chapter shaped how I think, lead, and make decisions today.
Chapter 1 — Papermaker
My career began with handmade papermaking — natural fibres, traditional methods, and an obsession with purposeful craft. I built small production networks that grew into a community ecosystem supporting over 400 people. We exported sustainable packaging across the world.
This taught me that design is a social act, and craft is a way of shaping opportunity.
Chapter 2 — The Glass Studio
I helped set up a glass-blowing studio powered by a Swedish-designed furnace burning recycled engine oil. No electricity needed. We transformed discarded bottles into tiles, vessels, and lighting components.
This taught me resourcefulness, experimentation, and circular creativity.
Chapter 3 — Industrial Design
Working with my mother, Barbara Ewing, we designed bespoke lighting and furniture for lodges across Southern Africa. We blended kiln-formed glass that we created ourselves with engineered structures.
This taught me how to bridge craft and industry.
Chapter 4 — Digital & Creative Direction
I took my craft sensibilities into digital, working in creative direction, advertising, and experiential design. I learned to scale ideas, guide teams, and shape brand narratives.
This taught me that clarity and story are as important as aesthetics.
Chapter 5 — Enterprise Design Systems & AI
Today, I lead Product Design – Enterprise Design Systems at Nedbank, supporting a design organisation of 150 people. My work focuses on:
Enterprise design systems
Token strategy & multi-platform components
Team maturity & organisational evolution
AI workflows & intelligent experience design
Strategic leadership across large-scale ecosystems
This taught me that systems shape behaviour, and leaders shape systems.
Chapter 6 — Mentorship, Speaking & Baking
I’m an active mentor on ADPList and coach executives on practical AI adoption. I speak globally about design systems, intelligent organisations, and leadership.
And on weekends, I run a micro artisanal bakery (Hadeda Bakery), staying connected to the tactile side of creativity.