HAKEA is an industry-recognized design consultancy founded by Giles Thackway. Research-led and AI-augmented, HAKEA applies the latest design thinking to partner with businesses in solving real-world problems—delivering products and experiences that are as strategic as they are intuitive. Every engagement is deliberately lean and led by Giles directly. He provides the depth and craft of a larger agency without the overhead, scaling with a network of trusted collaborators only when a project demands it.
From securing a finalist spot in the 2025 Amazon Nova Partner Demo Competition for AI banking to a Scrip Award nomination for Clinical Partnership of the Year, my work drives industry-leading recognition for my clients.
From life sciences and genomics to financial services, enterprise software, and consumer health — working with leading organisations at every scale. The common thread isn't the industry. It's the belief that the best design makes something people couldn't avoid — a clinical trial, a banking platform, an injury claim — genuinely better.
Every service connects — great UX informs better interfaces, better interfaces are sustained by strong design systems, and all of it is grounded in research. AI tools and methods are woven throughout, not as a shortcut, but to work smarter and arrive at better outcomes.
Product designer, researcher, and strategist with over 15 years of experience. Grounded in a Masters in Computational Arts (Goldsmiths, Distinction) and a background in digital media (UNSW, First Class Honors), Giles operates at the intersection of technical innovation and human-centric design. He maintains a hands-on approach—from the smallest design decisions to C-suite strategic workshops—integrating AI workflows throughout to drive better outcomes for both users and businesses.
Collaborators
Drawing on a close network of trusted collaborators — researchers, strategists, developers, creative technologists, graphic and motion designers — Giles assembles teams as each engagement demands. Businesses get exactly the right expertise for the work at hand, without agency overhead.
Design only works if the people it's built for say it does. Here's what companies have said about working with Giles.
Financial Services, Lab49
Giles understands the complexity of financial services and translates it into design that actually works. Strategic, precise, and a pleasure to work with.
Health Industry, HLTH
Giles designed a product from scratch that generated millions in new revenue. The strategic thinking behind the design was as impressive as the craft itself.
Before Giles, we had powerful technology with no experience to match. He changed that completely. The dashboard he designed became central to how we won new business.
Life Sciences, Dassault Systèmes
Technically complex, industry-first work. He navigated it with real design leadership.
Legal Technology/Multi-domain, Mighty
He brought clarity to one of the most confusing experiences a consumer can face. The feedback from users said it all.
Patient Engagement and Clinical Research, Medidata
The work was recognized industry-wide and still influences how we think about patient experience. His work on our patient engagement platform showed how good design can directly improve clinical outcomes.
Professional Services, KPMG
Giles raised the bar for how we engaged major clients. He brought design thinking and a strategic approach to a process that had never had either.
From life sciences and genomics to financial services, enterprise software, and consumer health — working with leading organisations at every scale. The common thread isn't the industry. It's the belief that the best design makes something people couldn't avoid — a clinical trial, a banking platform, an injury claim — genuinely better.
Financial AI - Transaction Intelligence
Financial Services · AI Product Design · Dynamic UIRecognition - 2025 Amazon Nova Partner Demo
Clinical AI - Adherence & Data Visualization
Healthcare · Research & Analytics · Mobile & Dashboard Design
Legal Tech - Personal Injury Claims Platform
Legal Technology · Consumer UX · Multi-domain Product Design
Patient-Centricity
Life Sciences · Mobile UX · Behavioral Research · Medidata · Recognition - Scrip Award ‘Clinical Partnership of the Year’
© HAKEA
All Rights Reserved
HAKEA is an industry-recognized design consultancy founded by Giles Thackway. Research-led and AI-augmented, HAKEA applies the latest design thinking to partner with businesses in solving real-world problems—delivering products and experiences that are as strategic as they are intuitive. Every engagement is deliberately lean and led by Giles directly. He provides the depth and craft of a larger agency without the overhead, scaling with a network of trusted collaborators only when a project demands it.
From securing a finalist spot in the 2025 Amazon Nova Partner Demo Competition for AI banking to a Scrip Award nomination for Clinical Partnership of the Year, my work drives industry-leading recognition for my clients.
From life sciences and genomics to financial services, enterprise software, and consumer health — working with leading organisations at every scale. The common thread isn't the industry. It's the belief that the best design makes something people couldn't avoid — a clinical trial, a banking platform, an injury claim — genuinely better.
Every service connects — great UX informs better interfaces, better interfaces are sustained by strong design systems, and all of it is grounded in research. AI tools and methods are woven throughout, not as a shortcut, but to work smarter and arrive at better outcomes.
Product designer, researcher, and strategist with over 15 years of experience. Grounded in a Masters in Computational Arts (Goldsmiths, Distinction) and a background in digital media (UNSW, First Class Honors), Giles operates at the intersection of technical innovation and human-centric design. He maintains a hands-on approach—from the smallest design decisions to C-suite strategic workshops—integrating AI workflows throughout to drive better outcomes for both users and businesses.
Collaborators
Drawing on a close network of trusted collaborators — researchers, strategists, developers, creative technologists, graphic and motion designers — Giles assembles teams as each engagement demands. Businesses get exactly the right expertise for the work at hand, without agency overhead.
Design only works if the people it's built for say it does. Here's what companies have said about working with Giles.
Financial Services, Lab49
Giles understands the complexity of financial services and translates it into design that actually works. Strategic, precise, and a pleasure to work with.
Health Industry, HLTH
Giles designed a product from scratch that generated millions in new revenue. The strategic thinking behind the design was as impressive as the craft itself.
Before Giles, we had powerful technology with no experience to match. He changed that completely. The dashboard he designed became central to how we won new business.
Life Sciences, Dassault Systèmes
Technically complex, industry-first work. He navigated it with real design leadership.
Patient Engagement and Clinical Research, Medidata
The work was recognized industry-wide and still influences how we think about patient experience. His work on our patient engagement platform showed how good design can directly improve clinical outcomes.
Legal Technology/Multi-domain, Mighty
He brought clarity to one of the most confusing experiences a consumer can face. The feedback from users said it all.
Professional Services, KPMG
Giles raised the bar for how we engaged major clients. He brought design thinking and a strategic approach to a process that had never had either.
From life sciences and genomics to financial services, enterprise software, and consumer health — working with leading organisations at every scale. The common thread isn't the industry. It's the belief that the best design makes something people couldn't avoid — a clinical trial, a banking platform, an injury claim — genuinely better.
Financial AI - Transaction Intelligence
Financial Services · AI Product Design · Dynamic UIRecognition - 2025 Amazon Nova Partner Demo
Clinical AI - Adherence & Data Visualization
Healthcare · Research & Analytics · Mobile & Dashboard Design
Legal Tech - Personal Injury Claims Platform
Legal Technology · Consumer UX · Multi-domain Product Design
Patient-Centricity
Life Sciences · Mobile UX · Behavioral Research · Medidata · Recognition - Scrip Award ‘Clinical Partnership of the Year’
05.1 Financial AI
05.2 Clinical AI
05.3 Legal Tech
05.4 Patient Centricity
06 LinkedIn
07 Email
© HAKEA
All Rights Reserved
HAKEA is an industry-recognized design consultancy founded by Giles Thackway. Research-led and AI-augmented, HAKEA applies the latest design thinking to partner with businesses in solving real-world problems—delivering products and experiences that are as strategic as they are intuitive. Every engagement is deliberately lean and led by Giles directly. He provides the depth and craft of a larger agency without the overhead, scaling with a network of trusted collaborators only when a project demands it.
From securing a finalist spot in the 2025 Amazon Nova Partner Demo Competition for AI banking to a Scrip Award nomination for Clinical Partnership of the Year, my work drives industry-leading recognition for my clients.
From life sciences and genomics to financial services, enterprise software, and consumer health — working with leading organizations at every scale. The common thread isn't the industry. It's the belief that the best design makes something people couldn't avoid — a clinical trial, a banking platform, an injury claim — genuinely better.
Every service connects — great UX informs better interfaces, better interfaces are sustained by strong design systems, and all of it is grounded in research. AI tools and methods are woven throughout, not as a shortcut, but to work smarter and arrive at better outcomes.
Product designer, researcher, and strategist with over 15 years of experience. Grounded in a Masters in Computational Arts (Goldsmiths, Distinction) and a background in digital media (UNSW, First Class Honors), Giles operates at the intersection of technical innovation and human-centric design. He maintains a hands-on approach—from the smallest design decisions to C-suite strategic workshops—integrating AI workflows throughout to drive better outcomes for both users and businesses.
Collaborators
Drawing on a close network of trusted collaborators — researchers, strategists, developers, creative technologists, graphic and motion designers — Giles assembles teams as each engagement demands. Businesses get exactly the right expertise for the work at hand, without agency overhead.
Design only works if the people it's built for say it does. Here's what companies have said about working with Giles.
Financial Services, Lab49
Giles understands the complexity of financial services and translates it into design that actually works. Strategic, precise, and a pleasure to work with.
Health Industry, HLTH
Giles designed a product from scratch that generated millions in new revenue. The strategic thinking behind the design was as impressive as the craft itself.
Before Giles, we had powerful technology with no experience to match. He changed that completely. The dashboard he designed became central to how we won new business.
Life Sciences, Dassault Systèmes
Technically complex, industry-first work. He navigated it with real design leadership.
Patient Engagement and Clinical Research, Medidata
The work was recognized industry-wide and still influences how we think about patient experience. His work on our patient engagement platform showed how good design can directly improve clinical outcomes.
Legal Technology/Multi-domain, Mighty
He brought clarity to one of the most confusing experiences a consumer can face. The feedback from users said it all.
Professional Services, KPMG
Giles raised the bar for how we engaged major clients. He brought design thinking and a strategic approach to a process that had never had either.
Four engagements across healthcare, financial services, and legal technology — each requiring a distinct approach, deep domain knowledge, and design thinking at both the strategic and executional level.
Financial AI - Transaction Intelligence
Financial Services · AI Product Design · Dynamic UIRecognition - 2025 Amazon Nova Partner Demo
Clinical AI - Adherence & Data Visualization
Healthcare · Research & Analytics · Mobile & Dashboard Design
Legal Tech - Personal Injury Claims Platform
Legal Technology · Consumer UX · Multi-domain Product Design
Patient-Centricity
Life Sciences · Mobile UX · Behavioral Research · Medidata · Recognition - Scrip Award ‘Clinical Partnership of the Year’
© HAKEA
All Rights Reserved