KATIE PAIGE
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
As Senior Interaction Designer at the UK Hydrographic Office, I am team lead and product owner of the design system. The UKHO is a Government Department with the public task of providing safe, secure and thriving oceans.
Senior Interaction Designer – UK Hydrographic Office (.GOV UK)
February 2024 – Present
As Product Owner of the UKHO Design System, I establish design standards and governance that enable consistent, accessible delivery at scale, measuring impact through adoption and delivery team feedback loops.
I lead the Interaction Design Team, supporting their professional growth through structured critique, design councils, and capability building. I shape an environment where designers can take risks, learn from each other, and develop the skills and confidence they need to make an impact.
On a day to day basis, I navigate between embedded project delivery and strategic UX consultancy depending on organisational needs. I collaborate with the Head of UX and Senior User Researcher to develop UX strategy aligned with business objectives, translating this into operational practice through prioritisation, capacity allocation, and design governance.
I embed user centred design and design thinking practices across the organisation through public speaking, gov.uk contributions, and hands on delivery partnerships. I regularly evaluate emerging tools and methodologies, testing and implementing those that meaningfully improve team capability and design standards
Interaction Designer – UK Hydrographic Office (.GOV UK)
May 2022 – February 2024
I led user centred design decisions, implemented UX principles and processes, and ensured alignment with accessibility standards, including WCAG and .GOV guidelines. My responsibilities included updating and reviewing design system components, providing a range of UX deliverables, practising quality assurance and risk prevention, and continuously developing professionally through research and knowledge sharing.
Projects include a data upload service, design of a geospatial navigational interface, design of a VR visualisation tool, 'Lean UX' approach to UKHO start-ups project and leading a research project exploring how we could improve the navigation of the ADMIRALTY website.
Senior Occupational Therapist – Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust
January 2010 – May 2022
I balanced a complex, multifaceted caseload working with people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. I collaborated effectively within multidisciplinary teams and with the public, designing solutions centred around human-focused goals.
My responsibilities included running clinics and the design and project management of specialist home adaptations to support disabled living, ranging from bathroom modifications to large housing extensions. I also supervised colleagues, organised workshops and training sessions, developed services, and ensured strict adherence to confidentiality and data protection standards.
NHS Web-Based Secondment - Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust
June - August 2020
I secured a secondment with the NHS to redesign the navigation for the Torbay Child and Family Health Occupational Therapy website. Users were struggling to access important therapy information, as a subject matter expert with an affinity for design, I saw an opportunity to make a positive difference
Director - Botanyblend Ltd
September 2018 - April 2021
I pursued a creative outlet alongside my professional work, diving into the world of aromatherapy. This evolved into Botanyblend, a massage oil brand that allowed me to explore the power of design in a different way. The products were a success, winning two Beauty Shortlist awards and featuring in many famous publications such as Stylist Magazine, Manor Magazine and the Telegraph.
UX Management Certification (Nielsen and Normal Group) June 2026
AI X Design Thinking Certificate (IDEO - U) April 2026
Design Thinking and Innovation in Practice (Royal College of Art, London) November 2024
Professional Certificate in User Interface Design (UX Design Institute) - May 2024
UX Certification (Nielsen and Norman Group) - September 2023
Software and Coding Fundamentals for UX (UX Design Institute) - February 2023
Professional Scrum with User Experience 1 (PSU1) - October 2022
Professional Diploma in User Experience Design (UX Design Institute) - August 2021
MSc (Module 1) Foundations of Neuroscience, Sensory Integration (Ulster University) - January 2015 – May 2015
BSc (HONS) Occupational Therapy (Bournemouth University)
Design Thinking methodology
Accessible & inclusive design
Design Systems
Workshop facilitation
Design ops & governance
Team leadership
Figma prototyping
Research & testing
UX strategy
Stakeholder management
Myer Briggs: INFJ- T
Insight Colour Profile: Green, Yellow, Red, Blue