What does your company do, and what are your main tasks at work each day?
Ampersand is a creative tech consultancy that delivers through-the-line solutions for creative (marketing and communication) and technology-based (SaaS) projects. The exciting part of my role as chief innovation officer (CIO) is to work with our multidisciplinary team of designers and developers to solve client challenges. The least exciting, but equally important, part of my role is ensuring that projects meet timeline and budget criteria, and sitting through Zoom meetings that could have been an email.
What do you think makes you good at what you do?
The main advantage I have in my role at Ampersand is my understanding of the integration between design and technology, thanks to my master's degree in design (visual arts) from Stellenbosch University and my PhD research at Nelson Mandela University's Centre for Community Technologies.
What motivated you to start your business and what challenges do you face?
My personality leans towards independence and self-determination, so starting a business felt like a natural next step after graduating. I was very fortunate to achieve this with my good friend and co-founder Greig Timkoe more than a decade ago. The biggest challenge most creatives face in South Africa is the struggling economy.
What qualities do you look for when recruiting for your company?
Problem-solving is a crucial skill in technology design. A strong candidate for a tech design agency should also demonstrate critical thinking and a deep contextual understanding of the environment in which they operate. These qualities enable designers and developers to create innovative, effective solutions that meet real-world needs.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be an architect, most likely because it was the most visible form of design I could engage with from a young age. I was fascinated by how spaces fit together and the impact they have on those who occupy them. In school, I chose subjects that would support a career in architecture, such as technical drawing and geography. However, when I attended the university's open day, I was drawn to the freedom and expression of visual arts, so I ended up at the art school instead.
What career advice do you have for recent graduates?
The most important thing for recent graduates is to gain as much practical experience as possible. A qualification provides the foundation, but hands-on experience is what builds a successful career.
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