About
Hi, I'm Ashley, an Industrial Designer, Researcher, and Educator passionate about blending creativity, engineering, and human-centered design. My work sits at the intersection of design, technology, and inclusivity, where I explore how to create products and spaces that are not just functional, but truly meaningful.
As an educator, I guide students through electronic product design, rapid prototyping, advanced manufacturing, and beyond. My teaching philosophy is simple: difficult subjects shouldn't be difficult to learn. If there's a way to make something more engaging and accessible, I'll find it.
My research centers on sensory-inclusive products for children on the autism spectrum, specifically developing inclusive eye-tracking equipment for behavioral research, integrating sensory-informed features, and improving accessibility through human-centered design. I've collaborated on national research projects spanning health, engineering, architecture, and psychology, designed assistive technology and interactive learning experiences, as well as designing awards using titanium and aluminum 3D printing.
Outside the studio, I'm always seeking out new experiences and skills. Lately, I've been exploring into soft-goods design, sewing, and textile creation, proof that learning never stops.
Let's connect if you want to discuss design, innovation, or why good design requires both creativity and solid engineering. I'm always up for a conversation.
Experience
Mar 2025 — Present Engaged in co-design workshops to develop inclusive assistive technologies. Designed and developed user-centered solutions tailored to diverse accessibility needs. Utilised design communication skills to gather insights from health professionals and end users. Executed rapid prototyping to meet strict development timelines. Developed accessible and inclusive design outcomes to ensure usability for all users.
- Co-design
- Assistive Technology
- User-Centered Design
- Accessibility
- Rapid Prototyping
- Inclusive Design
Dec 2024 — Present Created a manufacturing methodology for custom seating for wheelchair athletes. Utilised manufacturing techniques for advanced manufacturing such as 3D scanning and rapid prototyping. Designed custom inclusive designs for diverse user needs. Co-designed and co-produced solutions for individuals with physical disabilities. Developed manufacturing methodologies for final products. Analysed manufacturing options to best suit accessibility needs. Retrofit design for improved accessibility.
- Adaptive Design
- 3D Scanning
- Rapid Prototyping
- Custom Seating
- Accessibility
- Co-design
- Manufacturing Methodology
Oct 2024 — Nov 2024 Redesigned assessment materials to enhance clarity and cultural relevance for a diverse, multilingual student body. Delivered engaging lectures using tailored methods to support students with English as a second language. Collaborated with faculty to align course content with university standards and fostered a collaborative academic environment. Fostered strong relationships with students and colleagues, cultivating a collaborative and supportive academic environment that encouraged teamwork.
- Curriculum Design
- ESL Teaching
- Cross-Cultural Education
- Academic Collaboration
- Assessment Development
Feb 2024 — Oct 2024 Contributed to a national framework, engaging community and professional organizations, including Australian government departments. Applied Human-Centered Design methodologies to safeguard considerations within the project. Served as the project coordinator, ensuring consistency and reliability throughout the coding process by using the codebook and relevant tools to apply the coding framework uniformly. Coded the development of safeguarding information within the framework, integrating insights from a systematic and grey literature review, an online community survey, co-production efforts, research literature, team discussions, and personal expertise. Designed graphic guides to support the framework and enhance usability for diverse audiences.
- Human-Centered Design
- Research
- Framework Development
- Project Coordination
- Safeguarding
Feb 2021 — Present Redesigned lecture materials and assessments to ensure authentic learning outcomes. Created student-centered sessions with discussions and debates to deepen understanding. Instructed electronic design, focusing on iterative ideation and Human-Centered Design methods. Guided students through 3D printing, laser cutting, and Arduino programming for physical projects. Evaluated prototypes for quality and functionality, ensuring design standards were met. Provided constructive feedback and moderated assessments to improve student outcomes.
- 3631 QCA Human Machine Interfaces
- Electronics
- 1704 Electrics and Electronics for Designers
- Arduino
- Human-Centered Design
- 3D Printing
- Curriculum Development
- Student Assessment
- Interactive Learning
Projects
Ralph's Country Club
Blockchain-based platform offering sports sponsorship through non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It supports emerging athletes and social media influencers, facilitating community-driven endorsement deals and philanthropy.
- Digital Illustration
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- NFT Design
- Generative Art
- Python
- MetaMask
- IPFS
- Ethereum
- Web3
Education
2021 — Present Thesis Topic:An Industrial Design Investigation into the Sensory needs of Children on the Autism Spectrum.
Details:This research project aims to address the lack of suitable research equipment for children on the autism spectrum. This investigation will explore Human-Centred Design practices, to potentially improve the ability to design devices and equipment that encourage engagement with children on the autism spectrum, a group that is understudied due to the lack of suitable research equipment for their sensory sensitivities.
Supervisors:Dr Samuel Canning, Dr Matthew Stainer, Dr Chris Edwards
2020 — 2020 Thesis Topic:Investigation on the Sensory needs of Children on the Autism Spectrum.
Details:In this transdisciplinary research project, I combined my knowledge of Industrial design, Engineering and collaborated with the School of Psychology to investigate the Sensory needs of Children on the Autism Spectrum to design an inclusive eye-tracker used in beneficial behavioural research studies.
Supervisors:Dr Samuel Canning and Dr Matthew Stainer
- Griffith Award for Academic Excellence - 2020
2016 — 2020 A comprehensive program focused on product design, prototyping, and human-centered design principles. Developed skills in 3D modeling, materials science, manufacturing processes, and design thinking. Completed industry-relevant projects with emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
- Griffith Award for Academic Excellence - 2019