How I built trust and inclusivity for VibeRides — Cape Town’s all-in-one transport service — using behavioral design, customer insights, and ethical UX principles.

The gap between great design and great business is strategy. Senior Designer Maryam Richards shares how she evolved from designing visuals to building brands with purpose and sustainable growth.

Between motherhood, work, and healing, clarity felt impossible. Senior Designer Maryam Richards shares how structure, grace, and stillness helped her find creativity in chaos.

When a project combines purpose and design, it hits differently. Remali was one of those rare moments where design wasn’t just about usability — it was about shifting behavior, improving lives, and inspiring environmental action . The goal: create a mobile app that motivates low-income communities in Cape Town  to recycle more by rewarding their participation . This is the story of how thoughtful UX, empathy, and behavioral psychology turned a small sustainability idea into a

Saying yes to everything once made me resent my work. Senior Product & Brand Designer Maryam Richards shares lessons on setting boundaries, creating transparent terms, and protecting your value.

We’ve all used a product that just felt right  — where you didn’t need to think about what to do next.That experience isn’t luck or design flair. It’s cognitive ease  — the psychology of how our brains respond to clarity, predictability, and trust. As a designer, I’ve learned that cognitive ease is everyone’s responsibility  — not just design’s.It affects how developers build , how PMs prioritize , how marketers communicate , and how leaders measure success . If you’re buildi

A logo can’t make people trust you — your story can. I share my framework for designing emotionally intelligent brands that don’t just look premium but feel  personal. Start with Emotion, Not Execution Before design comes empathy. When I created Regula Momma , the goal wasn’t perfection — it was relief.Muted tones, organic textures, and handwritten marks reminded mothers they’re seen , not judged. Give Your Brand a Personality (Not a Persona) For VibeRides , I personified th

True simplicity in design isn’t minimal screens — it’s clear intention. Maryam Richards unpacks how strategy, empathy, and focus create effortless digital experiences. When simplicity becomes culture, it shapes everything — from interface design to communication. Here are brands I deeply admire for mastering that balance.