Lizette Carstens

Research Interests

• Co-design
• UX and user-centered design
• Design thinking and innovation
• Curriculum design
• Design and technology

Brief Bio

I started my career as a communication designer working on voter education material for the Independent Electoral Committee for South Africa's first democratic elections. 

My career migrated organically into Digital and UX Design after joining Qmuzik Technologies - a subsidiary of QData and Comparex where I was responsible for designing interactive training material and strategically managing brand collateral. 

In 2002, I founded my own digital design agency working for such diverse clients as Anglo American Health Services and Crazy Crafts Art Materials. 

After completing my MA degree in Information Design at UP, I joined the IIE Vega as part-time lecturer and supervisor on the BA Honour in Graphic Design qualification.

In 2016, I was appointed as Programme Navigator for Creative Brand Communication and Gamification responsible for the curriculum design of the programmes in Graphic Design, Digital Design and Creative Brand Communication (Copywriting) and working with the Accreditation and Quality Assurance team on several new qualifications. 

I am currently National Portfolio Manager of the IIE Vega's Design qualifications. I am busy with my Doctoral Degree in Innovation and Technology at the Da Vinci Business School with a dissertation exploring how South African SMMES use design thinking to innovate.