RŌ

Meet raff-EYE-el

/ræfaɪˈɛl/

My journey isn't background — it's the output. Years of designing systems, leading teams, and shipping products across the world.

England, United Kingdom
Raph
Raph
Raph

About Me

I started my career as a UX designer because I'm a firm believer that great design has the power to simplify life and make the world a little better for everyone. Whether it's in fintech, health tech, performance management, education, open banking, or e-commerce, I've had the chance to work with businesses of all sizes — from startups to industry leaders.

I helped improve OpenBlend's 1:1 and agenda experience, designed Betascore's app to help credit invisibles and migrants access credit, led the design for Nguvu Health's mental wellness app, brought Gladys Financial's fintech app to life from just an idea, and led the research that protected £200m in revenue for Tesco Mobile's eSIM launch. It's been a blast.

I'm passionate about solving human problems through design. When I'm not creating products, you'll find me sharing ideas and contributing to the design and product community — because collaboration and conversation are where the best ideas spark.

I'm always excited about the future and what it holds, but I can't forget my adventurous past — it's shaped me into the designer I am today.

Raph portrait

Outside the pixels,
I am fun most times

Here are few things you will catch me doing outside of work

  • Throwing Darts
  • Podcasting
  • Bowling
  • Video games
  • Playing football
  • Karaoke
  • Writing
  • Watching movies

In their own words, here is
what people say about me

  • Raph made it possible for me to focus on the strategic elements of my role. He picks-up content quickly and make sensible calls with clear outcomes and not just tasks. He's fast and thoughtful in his designs. He certainly raised the bar on autonomy and pace within our squad. Nice working with him.

    Simon Lancaster

    Product Owner, Tesco Mobile

  • Raph is very collaborative and supportive. He creates a genuine open and supportive working environment, making it easy to share ideas. His research skills are excellent and most of all, he's customer centred. Raph is always thinking from the user's perspective and it is so cool working with him.

    Lisa Titmass

    Customer Experience Expert, Tesco Mobile

  • Tolu is a brilliant Product Designer, who ensures user experience is at the heart of everything he does. He effortlessly turns ideas into designs that not only look great but are also highly effective and user-friendly.

    Jessie Parker

    Events and Community Manager, OpenBlend

  • Tolu is an outstanding designer who oozes experience and creativity. His UI skills transformed the look of OpenBlend into something that is quite frankly beautiful, and he showed no difficulties in the face of complexity, which our web app (serving five personas simultaneously) regularly required.

    Bilal Pervez

    Senior Product Manager, OpenBlend

  • Tolulope is a great product designer. His designs are simple and visually appealing and he pays attention to detail. He maintains the utmost professionalism by being punctual, meeting deadlines and communicating proactively. I highly recommend working with him!

    Melisa Kariuki

    Founder & CEO, Whip

  • Had the opportunity to work with Tolu on revamping our SmartUp education app. He worked diligently to simplify the visual hierarchical flow and to produce an aesthetically appealing app. A very complex endeavour, yet Tolu took on the challenge and did amazing work.

    Suleiman Wadur

    Co-founder, Smartup Technologies

I have been to places, I
have done amazing things

Here is my experience and work timeline

  • Tesco Mobile, 2024 - Present

    UX Designer

    Slough, United Kingdom

  • OpenBlend, 2023 - 2024

    Product Designer

    Maidenhead, United Kingdom

  • Betascore, 2023

    Product Designer

    Manchester, United Kingdom

  • Gladys Finance, 2022

    Product Designer

    Nairobi, Kenya

  • Nguvu Health, 2021

    UX Designer

    Wyoming, United States

  • Arvo Finance, 2021

    UX Designer

    Lagos, Nigeria

  • Whip, 2020

    Product Designer

    Johannesburg, South Africa

  • SmartUp Tech., 2019

    UX Designer

    Abuja, Nigeria

Recognised excellence

The wins worth mentioning

  • Global Talent in Tech & Design — Tech Nation

    Endorsed as a Global Talent by TechNation UK

    2024

  • $125k Funding — ODX OnDeck

    Mental health app designed for Nguvu Health secured funding from ODX OnDeck

    2022

  • Google Accelerator Program

    App designed for Nguvu Health secured a slot in Google's Accelerator program

    2021