Stuart Arnott
Work Experience
I am a multidisciplinary Product Manager, with a solid grounding in User Experience Design.
I developed a passion for User Experience Design while creating Mindings, a light-touch telecare service that enables the sharing of pictures, text messages and calendar reminders to a digital picture frame. Mindings found a niche helping the families of socially isolated people living with dementia, and won several international awards.
Co-designing an assistive technology service with real users led to a desire to learn about accessibility and user experience in more depth, so I undertook a Master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction at UCL in 2017 to give my work a solid theoretical grounding. I passed with Distinction, and was a Human Robotics Interaction 2018 design competition finalist.
As well as my formal UX qualification, I bring additional value to any job or project with my extensive work experience. I am a creative director, skilled video editor and graphic designer, and I bring years of television, commercials, corporate, live-event, and social media skills to projects, as well as leadership experience, confidence in public speaking and excellent interpersonal skills.
My DESIGN and Product Management PHILOSOPHY
User-Centric Empathy: I prioritise understanding and addressing user needs, especially for vulnerable populations. My approach emphasises dignity and respect in every aspect of design.
Technology for Social Impact: I'm committed to leveraging technology as a force for positive change, particularly in healthcare and social care. My goal is to create solutions that enhance well-being and improve quality of life.
Holistic Product Development: I consider not just the technical aspects, but also the emotional, social, and ethical implications of technology. I focus on user happiness and fostering social connections through my products.
Innovative yet Practical: I strive to balance creative ideas with real-world applicability. My experience allows me to bring innovative concepts to life while ensuring they meet business objectives.
Collaborative Iteration: I value diverse perspectives and believe in continuous improvement. My process involves cross-functional collaboration and iterative development based on stakeholder input and user feedback.
PERSONAL
I'm rarely without a screwdriver. I love DIY, 'making', and tinkering with gadgets.
My earliest memory is watching Open University on BBC2 as a four year old child. I've been in love with television ever since and I consume a probably unhealthy amount of media.
I'm a late-in-life yoga and Pilates enthusiast, and I love cycling around Edinburgh discovering new routes and buildings, unearthing local history, and finding new pubs and eateries.
I'm at my absolute happiest at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe or the Venice Biennale with my family.
Creation of "Shark Wars" -a 'Wizard of Oz' boardgames prototype with my UCL team.