Brain in hand
Brain in hand
Brain in hand
Senior UX designer
Mobile & web app
Blending digital innovation with human support, Brain in Hand helps neurodiverse users manage challenges and reduce anxiety, with a strong focus on supporting students in higher education.
As the product team’s first hire, I introduced discovery practices and design-thinking, critical for informed decisions. I led interviews with vulnerable users, facilitated cross-functional workshops, and brought user research into every stage of the design process.
This shifted company culture to be more data-driven, iterative, and open to innovation. I also pushed for WCAG AA compliance and helped the wider product team build empathy through inclusive testing.
I contributed to this digital healthcare business’s ambitious growth, driving a 450% boost in app engagement through multiple projects and initiatives over several years.
User engagement
I introduced regular testing to embed the user voice in the design process, exploring both usability and motivation. This gave the team ongoing insight into the needs of their users.
Conducted moderated testing sessions with users who had neurological differences and mental health challenges to identify needs, pain points, and opportunities
Conducted moderated testing sessions with users who had neurological differences and mental health challenges to identify needs, pain points, and opportunities
Conducted moderated testing sessions with users who had neurological differences and mental health challenges to identify needs, pain points, and opportunities
Facilitated exploratory interviews to uncover unmet needs, barriers to adoption, and emotional pain points
Facilitated exploratory interviews to uncover unmet needs, barriers to adoption, and emotional pain points
Facilitated exploratory interviews to uncover unmet needs, barriers to adoption, and emotional pain points
Synthesised insights from surveys, unmoderated tests, Firebase analytics, and ProdPad feedback into clear product improvements
Synthesised insights from surveys, unmoderated tests, Firebase analytics, and ProdPad feedback into clear product improvements
Synthesised insights from surveys, unmoderated tests, Firebase analytics, and ProdPad feedback into clear product improvements
Created visual narratives and empathy maps to communicate findings
Created visual narratives and empathy maps to communicate findings
Created visual narratives and empathy maps to communicate findings
Shared insights in regular cross-team sessions to align design, development, and clinical goals
Shared insights in regular cross-team sessions to align design, development, and clinical goals
Shared insights in regular cross-team sessions to align design, development, and clinical goals
Encouraged company-wide participation in accessibility research sessions to foster greater empathy and understanding
Encouraged company-wide participation in accessibility research sessions to foster greater empathy and understanding
Encouraged company-wide participation in accessibility research sessions to foster greater empathy and understanding
Words from the Team…
Dave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice Manager
Dave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice Manager
Dave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice ManagerDave was hired as the first Product Designer in the team, he has helped to guide the business with design thinking and user involvement. He has pushed for much more inclusive design practices focussed on involving our users as we invested in the product. Dave helped make the Product Team a supportive, ambitious and fun place to work.
Matthew Arnold
User Experience DirectorI used to be embarrassed of our product and wouldn't show it to people, now I am proud of it and show it to anyone who will look! I love the way you advocate for the end user and I hope you see that in your legacy.
Dr Louise Morpeth
CEOI've had the pleasure of working closely with Dave on several projects, and I can confidently say he is an outstanding member of the team. He brings a high level of creativity and a keen eye for detail to every task he undertakes. His collaborative spirit makes him invaluable, always willing to share ideas and support others in achieving project goals.
Rachel Babbidge
Coaching Practice Manager
Example feature: Solution packs
A key challenge for Brain in Hand users was the high barrier to accessing support content, which had to be co-created with a coach, which was time-consuming. To address this I led the design of a new feature: Solution Packs. These provided ready-made, research-backed strategies for common challenges, allowing users to get meaningful support without delay.
Led a multi-disciplinary design sprint to generate and prioritise ideas for improving content accessibility
Led a multi-disciplinary design sprint to generate and prioritise ideas for improving content accessibility
Led a multi-disciplinary design sprint to generate and prioritise ideas for improving content accessibility
Analysed user data to identify common challenges and design research-backed solutions
Analysed user data to identify common challenges and design research-backed solutions
Analysed user data to identify common challenges and design research-backed solutions
Prototyped and tested Solution Packs with clinicians and users to ensure effectiveness, clarity and time to value
Prototyped and tested Solution Packs with clinicians and users to ensure effectiveness, clarity and time to value
Prototyped and tested Solution Packs with clinicians and users to ensure effectiveness, clarity and time to value
Freed up coaches to focus on bespoke user challenges, while still offering consistent support content
Freed up coaches to focus on bespoke user challenges, while still offering consistent support content
Freed up coaches to focus on bespoke user challenges, while still offering consistent support content
© David Gillett 2025
© David Gillett 2025
© David Gillett 2025