Kobus Swartz

Senior Product Designer with extensive experience creating digital products that balance user needs, business objectives and technical feasibility. With a strong foundation in front-end development, my career has evolved into leading UX, UI and Product Design across enterprise software, digital commerce and customer engagement platforms. I specialise in end-to-end product design, combining user research, interaction design, prototyping, AI-assisted exploration, and data-informed decision making to improve customer journeys and deliver measurable business outcomes.

My approach is grounded in systems thinking, enabling me to design scalable, consistent experiences across complex, multi-brand ecosystems while leveraging modern design technologies to accelerate ideation, validation and delivery. I partner closely with Product, Engineering and business stakeholders to shape product strategy, translate customer insights into meaningful experiences, and deliver intuitive, accessible and scalable digital products. I embrace emerging technologies, including AI-powered design and productivity tools, to enhance research, streamline workflows, and explore solutions more efficiently, while ensuring that design decisions remain rooted in user insight, critical thinking and measurable business value.

Senior Product Design Lead - Munch Software

(2024-02)

Munch develops digital ordering, customer engaging and restaurant technology solutions for multi-brand hospitality businesses. Lead Product Design across digital ordering and customer engagement platforms, partnering with Product, Engineering and business stakeholders to define product direction and deliver scalable, user-centred experiences. Responsible for UX strategy, research, interaction design and continuous product optimisation across multiple brands.

• Delivered end-to-end Product Design for high-traffic digital ordering and eCommerce platforms, improving customer engagement and conversion outcomes.
• Shaped product direction through collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, translating business goals into usable and scalable digital experiences.
• Built Enterprise design systems, improving consistency, reuse and cross-team design efficiency.
• Applied user research, analytics and usability insights to inform design decisions and validate product direction.
• Improved key customer journeys including onboarding, checkout and post-purchase flows, reducing friction and improving usability.
• Produced high-fidelity prototypes and implementation-ready specifications to streamline development delivery.
• Mentored designers and contributed to improving design quality and collaboration practices.

Head of UX & Design - Vectra Business Technologies

(2019-07 - 2024-01)

Enterprise software company focused on digital transformation and eCommerce solutions. Established and led the UX and Design function across enterprise and eCommerce products, defining design standards, improving user experience maturity and partnering with leadership teams to shape product strategy and delivery.

• Defined UX direction across enterprise digital products, embedding user-centred design practices into delivery teams.
• Improved consistency and usability by establishing design standards, review processes and collaborative design practices.
• Influenced product strategy through workshops, discovery sessions and stakeholder alignment activities.
• Delivered UX improvements across Magento eCommerce platforms, enhancing usability, performance and accessibility and improving online conversions with over 30%.
• Created structured design documentation and reusable design assets to improve delivery efficiency.
• Partnered with Product and Engineering leaders to guide solution direction and scalability decisions.
• Developed Magento websites in PHP, mySQL, Less, XML, jQuery, HTML & CSS

UX Designer & Magento Front-End Lead - Vaimo South Africa

(2015-09 - 2019-06)

International digital commerce agency specialising in Magento-based eCommerce solutions for enterprise clients. Delivered UX and front-end solutions for enterprise eCommerce platforms, combining user experience design with technical implementation to deliver high-performing digital commerce experiences.

• Designed UX flows and interfaces for large-scale eCommerce platforms from discovery through implementation.
• Led Magento front-end development delivery, ensuring alignment between design intent and production output.
• Improved user experience through usability analysis and optimisation of existing eCommerce platforms.
• Facilitated client workshops, onboarding sessions and UX walkthroughs.
• Produced design specifications and documentation to support development teams
• Built reusable front-end components and Magento themes to improve consistency and scalability.
• Developed Magento websites in PHP, mySQL, Less, XML, jQuery, HTML & CSS

Senior UX/UI Designer - Amalgamated Motor Retailers

(2014-09 - 2015-08)

• Established UX practices within a newly formed digital team, improving consistency in design and usability.
• Designed and developed internal ERP-style systems supporting finance, HR, asset and lead management.
• Conducted UX research and system evaluations to identify improvement opportunities.
• Delivered websites, landing pages and digital marketing assets for customer acquisition.
• Implemented SEO improvements across multiple digital platforms.
• Supported staff training and onboarding on new digital systems.

Senior UX/UI Designer & Front-End Developer - Satinsky 128

(2012-11 - 2014-08)

• Designed and developed business systems and web platforms using PHP, MySQL and front-end technologies.
• Built operational systems including CRM, HR and stock management tools.
• Delivered responsive front-end interfaces using HTML5, CSS3 and jQuery.
• Created digital marketing assets and campaign landing pages.
• Supported SEO initiatives and lead-generation strategies.
• Contributed to project planning and technical delivery support.

Front-End Lead Developer & Designer - Nacqui Interactive

(2011-11 - 2012-10)

• Developed responsive front-end interfaces using HTML5 and CSS3.
• Translated UI designs into production-ready, standards-compliant code
• Maintained CMS-driven websites and client content.
• Implemented interactive UI components using JavaScript and jQuery.
• Supported Agile delivery processes and SEO improvements.

Front-End Developer & Designer - Synchrony Web Solutions

(2009-11 - 2011-11)

• Developed websites and CMS solutions using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Flash.
• Built WordPress themes and DotNetNuke skins for client projects.
• Created newsletters and marketing assets for campaigns.
• Maintained client websites and digital content.
• Collaborated on front-end delivery and implementation.

Lecturer / Tutor & In-House Designer - CTU Career Campus

(2009-07 - 2010-11)

• Delivered training in web development, design and multimedia.
• Taught HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP/MySQL, Adobe Suite and SEO fundamentals.
• Assessed student work and managed learning portfolios.
• Managed institutional websites and digital content.
• Supported internal design and digital communication needs.