Hello, I'm Sam
A designer who learned to code, now building products I believe in.
I'm a UK-born, Australia-based full stack engineer with over a decade of experience in design and development. My journey from graphic design to engineering gives me a unique perspective on building digital products.
I started my career with a design degree from Northern England, moved to Australia in the early 2010s, and fell completely in love with this country. What began as a passion for visual design evolved into a deep fascination with bringing those designs to life through code.
Today, I'm a self-taught full stack engineer leading teams and shaping products. I've mentored developers from intern to senior, built design systems from scratch, and shipped features used by thousands of sports organisations across Australia and New Zealand.
My Journey
Early Years
Born & Educated in the UK
Northern England
Grew up Canterbury, Kent where I developed my first love for design. Studied Graphic Design at the University of Leeds, learning the foundations of visual communication, typography, and user-centred thinking that would shape my entire career.
Early 2010s
Learning My Craft
London, England
Worked tirelessly in London as a UI designer where I tinkered with code every now and then. I became restless quickly having not travelled out of Europe and decided to leave.
2013
The Move to Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Took the leap and moved to Australia—a decision that changed everything. Fell in love with the country's culture, lifestyle, and opportunities. Started my professional career in design at creative agencies, working on diverse projects for clients across industries.
2013 - 2019
Agency Years & Creative Leadership
Melbourne
Progressed from designer to Creative Director at Dando, leading client relationships and mentoring team members. This is where I discovered my passion for bridging the gap between design and development—I wanted to bring my designs to life.
2015 - Present
Self-Taught Full Stack Engineer
Melbourne
Turned my curiosity for code into a career. Taught myself JavaScript, TypeScript, React, and Node.js through countless late nights, online courses, and building real projects. Most recently I lead engineering teams and owned UI/UX at GameDay, combining both disciplines.
What I Believe In
Craftsmanship
I believe in taking pride in the details. Every line of code, every pixel, every interaction matters. Quality isn't negotiable—it's the foundation of everything I build.
User-Centred
Technology should serve people, not the other way around. I approach every problem by understanding who I'm building for, their context, and what success looks like for them.
Continuous Learning
The tech landscape never stops evolving, and neither do I. Being self-taught means I've built a habit of learning—staying curious is how I keep growing.
Collaboration
The best work happens together. I love mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and learning from my team. Great products are built by great teams.
Beyond the Screen
Outdoors
Australia's landscapes are incredible. Whether it's hiking coastal trails, exploring national parks, or just enjoying the beach lifestyle—being outdoors recharges me.
Side Projects
I'm always tinkering with something. Personal projects let me experiment with new technologies, explore ideas, and keep my skills sharp outside of work.
Travel
Moving across the world opened my eyes to new perspectives. I love exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and finding inspiration in unexpected corners.
Let's work together
Whether you need design leadership, technical expertise, or someone who can bridge both worlds—I'd love to hear about your project.