Menu
With a spirit for exploration, experimentation, and empathy, I journey through many spaces that nourish, grow, and inspire collaboration – bringing forward wonderful stories, supporting hueman growth with meaningful impact.
Together, we explore and discover to impart curiosity and wonder on the world and within ourselves; we co-create answers to the question: “Where to next?”
THE BACKSTORY.
“One fine day when I was young, I rushed home from school, gushing with excitement, eager to tell my parents that I had learned “Caps Lock” at school that day. In reference to writing capitals in the English language. That one moment is the simplest way to describe life, growing up around computers and video.
Years later, after working since 16 to develop skills and the abilities, I couldn’t afford to get into places such as VEGA, AFDA, Open Window and Inscape. Even after applying for bursaries, I was told “I was not going to succeed in the field of graphic design” which had the very goals I dreamt of came shattering down faster than the shutter of the camera.
However, it became a strong motivator to continue working and creating that path for myself. The internet ( and many gigs of data later, sorry dad ) served to teach whilst I continued further.
Less than a year from those rejections, came my first Promax Gold award in Design and Animation, a level of smugness and pride, and a belief that we are all capable of developing into people we want.
In truth, the experience was a painful but passionate one that lead to the start of this all. It made me want to create more and to do so in a kind, empathic way.
THE MOTIVATION.
It was a story that I told for years, describing a personal passion for creativity and the digital arts, and started my career in all the fields I could lay my excited hands upon.
Photography, Commercial Retouching, Graphic/ Digital Design, Video Editing, Motion Graphics / Animation, Videography, Filmmaking, Copywriting, Content Production, Brand Storytelling, Producing, Directing, Web Design, you freakin’ name it. It was a passion and a purpose.
That now culminates in a million ways to tell a story that needs to be told. And a passion to tell it. That is why you are here hopefully.
My focus is to create a real impact with the stories being told and to create an environment of continuous development for the people and projects involved.
With that, a passion to help people achieve their goals in an effective and enjoyable way started to grow, fusing a passion for problem-solving, Human-Centered Design and Life Coaching alongside my current skillset enabled me to help solve my client’s inherent needs and problems in an empathic way.
Creative Direction
Guiding creatives, teams and people towards creative excellence.
Brand Strategy
Developing world-class brands with user-centered approaches.
Human Centered Design
Ensuring people are at the heart of every solution, merging UX and BX together.
Content Creation
Capable of executing across an incredibly broad range of mediums to bring stories to life.
Transformational Coaching
Supporting and growing people at every touch point to achieve great things.
Skills Development
Helping people getting the skills, information and services they need to thrive.
Data Driven
Everything is built to be user-focused whilst being data defined to guide decisions.
Meaningful Leadership
Achieving results in sustainable, positive and powerful ways.
Adaptive + Agile Systems
Building processes that are capable to grow, adapt and remain agile.
Iterative Innovation
Creating spaces for experimentation creates powerful creative results.
Experience
Brand, Content &
Creative Director
THE ROOM
SEP 2020 – PRESENT ( CONTRACT )
PRIMARY JOB ROLES
BRAND DIRECTOR ( ALX + THE ROOM )
CREATIVE DIRECTOR ( ALX + THE ROOM )
CREATIVE DIRECTOR ( ALX )
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN LEAD
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Brand Strategy
One of my primary duties was to not only optimize the creative process of Sun International’s internal creative agency : Fusion as well as facilitate and strategize around how each of Sun International’s properties market, brand and communicate with their audiences to get more revenue.
Human Centered Design Facilitation
Facilitating a Design Thinking Methodology for 20-30 member groups in Human Centered Design, a UX problem-solving methodology to optimize various creative teams within the organization.
Creative and Content Systems Process Development
Development of the Motion Graphics team within Sun International, its people as well as its process. This includes bringing motion graphic production services across all the various properties.
Content Creation
Creating content via design / animation / video editing / presentations to properties, consumers and internal stakeholders.
Leadership Development
Creating content via design / animation / video editing / presentations to properties, consumers and internal stakeholders.
SKILLS.
Strategy and Planning
Program Design and Development
Systems, Tools and Processes Development
Human Centered Design
Team Management
Agile
Animation / Design
Consultation
TEAM FACILITATION.
Guiding multiple teams, freelancers, and stakeholders across the world to meaningful impact.
SENIOR CONTENT CREATOR
& HCD LEAD STRATEGIST
SUN INTERNATIONAL
JUNE 2019 – MARCH 2020 ( CONTRACT )
OVERVIEW
My function was to support and problem solve across a broad range of areas through human-centred Design and Creative approaches.
PRIMARY JOB ROLES
CREATIVE STRATEGIST
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN LEAD
SENIOR MOTION GRAPHICS
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Creative Strategy
One of my primary duties was to not only optimize the creative process of Sun International’s internal creative agency : Fusion as well as facilitate and strategize around how each of Sun International’s properties market, brand and communicate with their audiences to get more revenue.
Human Centered Design Facilitation
Facilitating a Design Thinking Methodology for 20-30 member groups in Human Centered Design, a UX problem-solving methodology to optimize various creative teams within the organization.
Motion / Video Department and Process Development
Development of the Motion Graphics team within Sun International, its people as well as its process. This includes bringing motion graphic production services across all the various properties.
Content Creation
Creating content via design / animation / video editing / presentations to properties, consumers and internal stakeholders.
SKILLS.
Strategy and Planning
Program Design and Development
Systems, Tools and Processes Development
Human Centered Design
Team Management
Agile
Animation / Design
Consultation
TEAM FACILITATION.
Strategic Guidance across 19 Sun International Properties.
5 Account Managers
15 Senior + Junior Creatives
CREATIVE DIRECTOR &
SENIOR PRODUCT OWNER
UMUZI
MAY 2017 – MAY 2019
Umuzi supports talented young people to develop the skills to access high-value careers.
OVERVIEW
My function was to support and problem solve across a broad range of areas through human-centred Design and Creative approaches.
PRIMARY JOB ROLES
Head: Multimedia
Head : Community & Social Media Management
Head : Wellness Development
Head: Creates + Experiences
( Creative BTL Production Services for External Clients )
Head: Creative Skills Development
Creative Director / Senior Product Owner
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Creative Direction
Brand Management and Storytelling of the Umuzi brand across various departments, managing cross-disciplined teams of creatives to deliver consistent learnings and growth.
This includes Print, Digital, BTL Activations of the Umuzi core brand as well as sub-brands.
Human Centered Design Facilitation
Facilitating a Design Thinking Methodology for 20-30 member groups in Human Centered Design, a UX problem-solving methodology.
Creative Skills Development
Development of an online learning platform that facilitates self-learning and maximizes facilitators best usage of time and energy in high-value touch-points.
Product Team Development
Facilitating and creating a process for Creative Departments to transition into Product Teams for better efficiency
Agile Methodology
Creating uniquely tailored and functional Agile Teams within various departments.
Community Management Process Development
Developing the online Social Media and Community Management Process with accurate engagement, iteration methodology along with team development.
SKILLS.
Strategy and Planning
Program Design and Development
External Relations and Partnerships
Measurement, Evaluation and Learning
Systems, Tools and Processes.
Human Centered Design
Team Management
Agile
Animation / Design
Film / VideO
TEAM MANAGEMENT.
60+ Juniors Content Creators across 4 Product Teams
SENIOR MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER
FEDGROUP
PRIMARY JOB ROLES :
Senior Graphic Design
Print / Manufacturing
Creative Direction ( Lead a team of 5 )
Animation ( Adobe After Effects + occasional C4D )
Videography
Editing ( Adobe Premiere Pro )
SECONDARY JOB ROLES :
Motion Design ( Adobe Photoshop )
Graphic Design ( Adobe Illustrator / Adobe InDesign )
Photography and Retouching ( Adobe Lightroom )
HR
PROJECTS :
Corporate Animations
Explainer Videos
Launch Videos
Internal Explainer Videos
Event Imagery
MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER
NICEWORK
MARCH 2014 – AUGUST 2015
PRIMARY JOB ROLES :
Animation ( Adobe After Effects + occasional C4D )
Videography
Editing ( Adobe Premiere Pro )
SECONDARY JOB ROLES :
Motion Design ( Adobe Photoshop )
Graphic Design ( Adobe Illustrator / Adobe InDesign )
Photography and Retouching ( Adobe Lightroom )
PROJECTS :
Corporate Animations
Explainer Videos
Launch Videos
Internal Explainer Videos
Event Imagery
Designer / Editor / Animator / Producer
ORIJIN
MARCH 2008 – AUGUST 2012
OVERVIEW
My function was to support and problem solve across a broad range of areas through human-centred Design and Creative approaches.
PRIMARY JOB ROLES :
Short Form Producing and Directing
Animation ( Adobe After Effects + occasional C4D )
Motion Design ( Adobe Photoshop )
Graphic Design ( Adobe Illustrator / Adobe InDesign )
Editing ( Adobe Premiere Pro )
Videography
Photography and Retouching ( Adobe Lightroom )
PROJECTS :
DSTV Channel Rebrands ( M-Net Stars, M-Net Action )
Short Form Production (Promos, Bumpers, Idents )
… and a range of freelance clients.
Previous
Next
Portfolio
Showreel
DESIGN AND MOTION GRAPHICS
The traditional showreel years of focusing on being a Multimedia Designer with 95% of this showreel being Designed, Animated, Filmed, and Produced in 3-day turn-around times and often as a one-man-band.
Cinematography Showreel
CREATIVE BLOCK YOUTUBE SERIES
A personal project exploring the nature of creative block and other creative struggles. Bridging gaps between creativity, professionality, and human-ness, the series looks to have positive conversations.
Narrative Storytelling
UMUZI IMPACT STORY : VERONA
Briefed to tell the story of Umuzi’s Impact, the project was tackled in the eyes of the real impact they created in their community. Verona Banda, an Umuzi Design Alumni talks about the impact Umuzi had whilst relating how the creative struggle and that of a runner are not as distant as it may seem.
Content Creation
THIS IS SOUTH AFRICA
This is South Africa dives into issues South Africans face with a parody of This Is America by Childish Gambino. Throughout the video, issues such as; femicide, taxi violence, soccer violence, fees must fall and the tragic marikana massacre, Listeria, and political voting make brief appearances.
Award Winning Short Film
THE CATALYST
Concrete is a metaphor for the rigidity and narrowness of extremist ideology in the award winning art-shortfilm The Catalyst. The film asks the important question: “How much more human suffering are we willing to endure in the name of pride before we find the catalyst for change?”
For more information, click here.
Achievements
2016
Film Category Winner
PPC Imaginarium
The Catalyst: Short Film
2014
Channel Brand of the Year – Gold
Promax Global Excellence Awards
Crime and Investigation
2014
Best On-Air Branding Design – Gold
Promax Global Excellence Awards
Crime and Investigation Channel Rebrand
2014
Best On-Air Branding Design – Silver
Promax Global Excellence Awards
Crime and Investigation
Ident : Cult
2011
Most Outstanding Design In Promotion –
Gold Muse
Promax | BDA Africa Awards
M-Net Cares – Drive to Literacy
2011
Screen Africa Best Movie Promo
Gold Muse
Promax | BDA Africa Awards
M-Net Action Thriller Horror Fest
2011
Best Public Service Announcement
Silver Isis
Promax | BDA Africa Awards
M-Net Cares – Drive to Literacy
2011
Best Integrated Social Media Campaign
Silver Isis
Promax | BDA Africa Awards
M-Net Action Social Media Campaign
2010
Best Sponsored Spot
Silver Muse
Promax | BDA Africa Awards
M-Net Action Swatch Villains Promo
2009
Best Sponsored Spot
Silver Muse
Promax | BDA Africa Awards
M-Net Action Godfather Game Promo
INTERVIEWS / FEATURES
Pix Magazine
BizCommunity
ScreenAfrica
Design Indaba
PPC Imaginarium
Lazy Gamer
Orms
Camera Stuff
Between 10 & 5
NAG
Critical Hit
House & Lesiure
Garden & Home
BASA
VISI
Business Live
PUBLISHED CLIENT WORK
Cosmopolitan Magazine
Destiny Magazine
Dossier Magazine
HEAT Magazine
Men’s Health Magazine
One.Small.Seed Magazine
Pix Photographic Magazine
Sandton Magazine
EXHIBITIONS
The Catalyst
Youngbloods
UJ Art Gallery
Turbine Art Fair
TV / RADIO INTERVIEWS
SAFM
Skills
TRAINING RECEIEVED
2020.
Mindful Talent : Life Coach and Leadership Coach
November 2019 – November 2020
2019.
Storytelling for Change
Acumen+
Design Kit: The Course for Human-Centered Design
Acumen+
Project & Quality Management Certification ( Agile )
Entrepreneur.com
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MARKETING COURSE
Cerebra
2015.
Inbound Marketing
Hubspot
WORKSHOPS + CLASSES HOSTED
2017 -2019.
Human Centered Design Fundamentals
Creative Literacy Training
Creative Process Development
Rapid Prototyping
Art Of The Presentation
Human-Centered Mentality
Umuzi
2016.
“The Catalyst” Creative Process
Greenside Design Center
2015.
Creating Interactive Objects From Images
Photo & Film Expo
Video for the Photographer – 8 Week Short Course
Vega School
2014.
“Greenscreen Fundamentals
CameraStuff Stage, Photo & Film Expo
YOUR CAMERA, OUR LIGHTS – Photography Lighting Modifier Basics
CameraStuff Stage, Photo and Film Expo
TTL vs. Manual Flash Dual Workshop
CameraStuff
2012
“How to Brief a Multimedia Team Properly ”
Intellilab
WEBSITE : kylegoulden.com
LOCATION : Johannesburg, South Africa.
LOOKING TO RELOCATE : Cape Town, South Africa
–
Looking for remote opportunities.
Willing to relocate, anywhere.