WElcome
Hi, I’m Rob McLean. I'm passionate about problem-solving and collaborating with like-minded people to achieve amazing outcomes. My journey to this point has seen me build and lead multidisciplinary teams, fostering an environment that thrives on knowledge sharing and good communication, believing in a flat structure where everybody's opinion counts.
Most recently, I have worked in the education industry on various products spanning from high-traffic B2C websites, to enterprise software and a bespoke CRM system. Prior to that, I collaborated with a Guangzhou-based company that works with start-up founders to manufacture devices and accompanying apps. I became their preferred supplier for UX and UI, working on projects in the technology, travel, and gambling industries. I also spent close to 10 years at a digital healthcare agency creating campaign websites, apps, and e-details, amongst other things.
In my spare time, I love hanging out with my wife and young daughter. I love to experience new cultures and cuisines, so travel is always high on the agenda. I also have a passion for seeking out and photographing wildlife.
I’m currently based in London, but originally hail from Auckland, New Zealand.
If you like my work or want to chat, drop me a message or, download my CV!
recent testimonials
PRODUCT
Louise O'Conor - Head of Product
"I had the absolute pleasure of working with Rob during my tenure with QS. Rob is not only a talented UI & UX designer but also an incredibly hard-working, honest, and positive person. Rob's intuitive understanding of how to transform business ideas into visual reality is a skill one rarely comes across. He is a skilled listener, manager, and team player. He knows how to bring people together and make things happen. I can not recommend him highly enough. He'd be an asset to any organisation he chose to join and I'd poach him in a heartbeat. I hope to have the pleasure of working with him again in the future."
Natacha Cullinan - Head of Content
"Rob is an exceptional team player, always going above and beyond requirements to ensure business needs are met, users are engaged and different teams are supported as best as they can be. I saw him take on huge projects, like developing site architecture and designs for B2B needs, investing time and learnings into streamlining complex issues like site navigation and user journeys for busy B2C sites, whilst managing and developing teams, and doing all of this with remarkable flair, people-skills, and patience. I can safely say that he has been an absolutely fantastic colleague to work with, always ready to listen and include feedback in his work, whilst driving the branding, design, and UX strategy to great heights. I would love to work with him again, and can highly recommend his skill set to any business looking to grow from scratch or rethink its creative and UX approach to drive better engagement (and grow its customer base as a result). Zero egos, great working ethic, engaging creative vision; nearly unheard of in the creative world, I'm sure he'll excel in whichever role he moves into!"
TECHnology
Sahib Singh - Technical Product Manager
"Rob put together the Creative & UX Department in our company. He has mentored and hired the right people with the right mix of skills to support the growth of the company. He is a leader who inspires and challenges his team at the same time taking care of their well-being. He is always looking to improve himself and his team by taking external courses, improving processes, and learning new tools. For this, he is respected and liked by his team. Managing a design department and its output needs a special mix of skills. Rob has years of experience in the industry. He can translate business goals into digital experiences. He has strong stakeholder management skills. He has the ability to articulate and discuss design decisions with all levels of stakeholders - comfortably sitting in senior manager's meetings as well as developer's meetings. On top of all this, he puts in a ton of work. I highly recommend Rob."
Aizhan Konysbayeva - Agile Project Manager
"I have worked with Rob at QS for more than 3 years now. Professional, competent, friendly, and easygoing - Rob is always a great pleasure to work with. He approaches the projects have done thorough research, always puts the user first, uses best practices when designing both desktop and responsive pages, and makes it easy and intuitive for users to navigate. As a project manager working on developing his designs, I can say that Rob is very collaborative, cares about what he does, and puts maximum effort in the success of the project. He has a vision for digital products and is an advocate of real user feedback to see what’s working, and what needs improvements. While at QS, Rob has built a team of skilled professionals in UI, UX, graphic design, video, etc. with great personalities located in various geographical areas, bringing the creative strategy of the company to the next level. Rob is a great leader and a true team player admired by his team and everyone at the company."
DIRECT REPORTS
Tausif Syed - Lead UX Designer
"Rob is one of the best managers I've worked with and has become a good friend as well. He heads a diverse, multi-disciplinary design team of UX and Creative professionals and always brings positivity; driving and encouraging the team to deliver their best work. I personally enjoy working with Rob, he is a versatile designer, visionary, professional, organised, and a very thoughtful manager; encouraging personal growth and development. From my perspective, I highly recommend Rob as a UX team manager and I feel fortunate to have collaborated with such a great LEADER! "
Kai Song - Head of Video
"I worked in video production on Rob's design team in QS for over 3 years. Rob was able to bring proper design process and brand awareness to QS which didn't exist prior to his arrival. Although my videography, animation, and editing skills were already at a good standard when I joined QS, I personally was able to up my design knowledge and skills thanks to Rob's vast experience and knowledge in creative design as well as his patience and tact as a manager and leader. Rob always encouraged creative development in the team and supported us to produce professional content. At QS he went on to lead a team of over 14 creatives across the world, with team members in India, Bucharest, Malaysia, Spain as well as in the UK, during that time he still continued to make time for individual members to help them develop professionally. Rob is a true leader and asset to any team and company. I have a lot of respect for him and hope that we have an opportunity to work together again in the future."
LEaDERSHIP GROUP
Ben Sowter - Senior Vice President
"Having read through other recommendations, there's not much to add concerning Rob's core skill set. His creative work is typically collaborative, drawing on his strong communication skills and capability to present his vision for a project. We have been fortunate to have him. Whilst at QS, he's also stepped up to a team leadership role, managing across multiple locations, and has honed his commercial acumen... identifying and executing opportunities to inject the right systems and processes into our operation to radically increase the team's collective productivity and free creative heads from mundane tasks to focus more on innovation. Rob is a consummate professional and, in my view, an asset to any team."
Simona Bizzozero - Communications Director
"I hold Rob in the greatest esteem, both as UI & UX designer and creative lead and as a person. He is passionate and focused on delivering effective and innovative user-centric design solutions, aligned with the products and business objectives; At QS, he has introduced cost-effective solutions to maximise the capability of his and other teams; He is an engaging and accomplished communicator, able to bring people and ideas together. He is a motivating leader and a collaborative team player. Overall, what I appreciate most about Rob, is that he cares. Rob cares about doing a great job, going the extra mile, and giving 100%. His drive and positivity are infectious and inspiring."