Projects
About
Annette is a multidisciplinary designer whose career began at the software development company, Platform45. Building on her expertise in design and front-end development, she progressed to become a senior designer, serving as the design lead within diverse teams and catering to a variety of clients.
After five years, she transitioned into the corporate world as a Consultant in Accenture South Africa, digital department. Following a year of rubbing shoulders with amazing talent and building experience with mainstream companies like Discovery, Vitality, Alexander Forbes, Standard bank and many more, she joined forces with her sister to establish a design company called Pepperplane.
Annette is the Director at Pepperplane, where she manages a diverse range of responsibilities. In addition to her roles as a designer and developer, she oversees project management and handles various business functions. This includes managing the financial aspects and leading process and system development initiatives to optimise operations.
A born creative, Annette is a dedicated, experienced, and enthusiastic designer at heart.
Outside of the design world, Annette is an equestrian enthusiast who enjoys the thrill of show jumping. Her love for animals extends to her two energetic border collies, who keep her company on outdoor adventures. Annette also has a passion for gardening, where she finds peace and creativity in nurturing her plants and creating beautiful, vibrant spaces.
Key skills and experience
- Working collaboratively and leading teams of all sizes
- Engaging with diverse stakeholders
- Effectively managing multiple projects simultaneously
- Navigating time zone differences
- Agency and corporate experience
- Adapting to fast-paced environments
- Problem-solving across different industries
- Strategic planning and execution
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Proven ability to drive results under pressure
12
years experience
2013 - 2017
Designer and front-end developer at Platform45
2009 - 2012
Studied Graphic Communication Design at Stellenbosch University
2017 - 2018
Designer / Consultant at Accenture Digital, South Africa
2018 - 2024
Co-owner, project manager, designer and developer at Pepperplane
A closer look at her work responsibilities
Product design
With 12 years of expertise in product design, Annette has created innovative solutions for a variety of brands. Her diverse background enables her to customize her approach to user-friendly interfaces, brand-specific designs, and product innovation.
Annette’s approach to design is rooted in a deep understanding of design principles and a trained eye that brings a high level of attention to detail to every project.
She is known for her hands-on approach, not shying away from getting her hands dirty to achieve the best results. As a dedicated team player, Annette combines an effective and efficient work ethic with a collaborative spirit, whether working in a shared workspace or engaging over video calls.
Her passion for discovering unique inspiration fuels her creativity, and she remains constantly eager to explore new ideas and approaches in her work.
Project management
Annette is a natural organizer who excels at creating schedules, arranging tasks, and managing expectations through clear goal-setting and prioritization, all while utilizing the Agile methodology to ensure flexibility and adaptability.
With seven years of experience managing a fully remote team across multiple time zones, Annette has honed her clear and effective communication skills. Her ability to maintain team enthusiasm and motivation is driven by her energetic and inspiring leadership style, ensuring cohesive collaboration and sustained engagement.
In her management role, she seamlessly integrates her art directing talents, combining creativity with a structured approach. Her expertise in art direction not only allows her to lead with vision but also to mentor others effectively, setting a standard through her
own example.
This combination of creativity and organization allows Annette to integrate the artistic aspects of design with the disciplined strategies of development, achieving both imaginative and systematic success.
Front-end Development
Skilled in HTML, CSS, and WordPress Elementor, Annette transforms design concepts into functional web pages. This blend of design and development knowledge not only enhances her skill set but also enables her to create visually appealing and technically sound designs.
As much as she enjoys the creative part of design, she also thoroughly enjoys the logical, functional aspects, as well as the system and pattern of development.
She finds the process of bringing structure and organization to her designs just as fulfilling as the artistic elements. The challenge of solving complex problems and finding efficient solutions captivates her.
Being able to take a project from the initial discovery phase, through meticulous design, and ultimately delivering the fully developed product gives her an incredible thrill and a profound sense of accomplishment. She revels in the opportunity to see her ideas come to life and to witness the tangible impact her work has on users.