Newcastle upon Tyne, UK – Vicky Teinaki, a brilliant and inspiring interaction designer from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Vicky was a member of the design community, whose work left an indelible mark on user experience (UX) design and digital services across the UK. Her career was defined by innovation, dedication, and a tireless commitment to improving the lives of others through thoughtful, user-centric design.
At the time of her passing, Vicky was serving as a UX Lead at the Student Loans Company, where her exceptional skills in designing intuitive and accessible services helped transform the student experience. Her work played a vital role in improving digital services for students throughout the country, ensuring that navigating the often complex world of student finance became easier and more efficient for many.
Vicky’s professional journey also included significant contributions at several key government organizations. She held impactful roles at the Government Digital Service (GDS), the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). In each of these roles, she was known for her ability to craft seamless, user-friendly interfaces that put accessibility and usability at the forefront. Since 2015, Vicky had become deeply embedded in the UK government sector, where she excelled as both a user researcher and an interaction designer, helping to shape the future of digital services for millions of citizens.
In 2017, Vicky took on the role of a design assessor, evaluating government services against the Digital Service Standard. Her work in this capacity was instrumental in ensuring that critical public services met the highest standards of usability, accessibility, and inclusivity. The impact of her contributions is still felt today, as her efforts have made a positive difference for countless users of government services.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Vicky was a passionate writer and thought leader in the design community. She began contributing to the online interaction design magazine, Johnny Holland, in 2008, and quickly rose to the role of chief editor, or “kahuna,” from 2010 to 2012. Through her writings, Vicky offered valuable insights into the world of interaction design, inspiring countless designers and researchers with her thoughtful reflections and keen observations.
Vicky’s dedication to advancing the field of UX design extended beyond her editorial work. She also served as the official blogger for UX Scotland, where she continued to champion the importance of user-centered design and shared the latest innovations and trends in the field. Her contributions to the design community as a writer, editor, and mentor will be remembered by those who had the privilege of reading her work or working alongside her.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Vicky pursued academic research with the same passion and curiosity that defined her design career. From 2010 to 2015, she conducted doctoral research at Northumbria University, where she focused on improving how designers communicate their work processes. This research, which grew from her earlier investigations into the aesthetics of touch, highlighted her commitment to pushing the boundaries of design theory and practice. Vicky’s work in this area continues to influence designers today, offering new perspectives on how to bridge the gap between design intention and user experience.
Vicky’s background as a developer further enriched her approach to design. With experience in Drupal and WordPress theming and plugin development, she was uniquely positioned to integrate technology and design in a way that few others could. While she shifted away from hands-on development in her later years, she remained an enthusiastic learner, continually exploring new trends and sharing her side projects with the wider design community.
Vicky Teinaki’s legacy is one of talent, curiosity, and compassion. Her work, her writings, and her spirit will continue to inspire future generations of designers and researchers. Those who had the privilege of working with her, learning from her, or reading her work will remember her not only for her professional achievements but also for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering passion for making the world a better place through thoughtful design. Vicky will be deeply missed, but her influence will endure for years to come.