Nicola Ryan
I am a creative leader who designs impactful experiences, which are used by millions of people every day. I solve business problems through design, with a collaborative and strategic approach, and grow design teams who are ambitious, empowered and can think outside the box.
I am experienced in leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver the design of complex, cross platform projects in fast paced, evolving environments for high profile clients. I have a wide breadth of experience, spanning digital product design, user experience, branding, editorial design, information design, marketing design, e-commerce and subscription experiences.
I currently lead the 60+ design team at The Telegraph, having previously led the product design team at The Times, worked for advertising agency, Karmarama, and branding agency, Pentagram.
The Telegraph's new, subscriber-centred website
The challenge
Drive engagement and increase subscribers and retention via The Telegraph's website
The outcome
A highly flexible site, which enables journalists and editors to tell impactful stories, giving readers more reasons to stay and to keep coming back. Awarded 'Best News Website of the Year' at 2020's Press Awards.
Creating a subscription driving experience
The challenge
Retain – and grow – The Telegraph's subscriber base, to create a sustainable business model for its journalism
The outcome
An ongoing and evolving set of initiatives across the full subscription funnel, which have grown The Telegraph's digital subscriber base by over 79% in 2020.
A reactive subscription marketing campaign around the events of Brexit (2018)
Bringing The Telegraph to a new, younger audience
The challenge
Launch The Telegraph on Snapchat, to attract and engage a younger audience, whilst staying authentic to The Telegraph's brand
The outcome
A highly successful daily snap edition with over 2 million subscribers, which combines a bold and playful design approach with Telegraph stories which appeal to the demographic
Re-imagining the newspaper for a digital experience
The challenge
Re-design The Telegraph's digital edition app, to be a more engaging experience for its audience who enjoy the habit of reading the daily (printed) paper
The outcome
An linear experience which captured the heart and soul of reading an edition – designed to cater for different browsing behaviours and enable serendipitous discovery
Bringing The Telegraph's journalism to readers' smartphones
The challenge
Re-design The Telegraph's smartphone app, in order to better appeal to its younger audience
The outcome
A highly visual app, designed with speed and ease and use of mind, which provided a curated and crafted view of the top stories of the day
Re-thinking The Telegraph's visual brand for a digital future
The challenge
Evolve The Telegraph's rich visual heritage into a brand identity fit for the 21st century and beyond
The solution
An updated visual identity and design system to enable The Telegraph to be distinctive across the wealth of touch points it exists on
The Times
Leading the Digital Design team of 12–15, working across The Times’ digital product portfolio, as well as the daily digital editorial features and newsroom innovation.
Including a re-think of its digital strategy and website in 2014, the launch of the Times Sport app, enhancements to its successful tablet app and a suite of responsive puzzles.
Working with IDEO on The Times' edition strategy for its digital products (2014)
Other projects
Brand Guardian for AkzoNobel, the international owners of brands including Dulux, International, and Sikkens
The Telegraph
Creative Director, November 2018—Present
Strategic design and direction for The Telegraph’s bold, award-winning design across all platforms.
The Telegraph
Product Design Director & Deputy Creative Director, December 2014—November 2018
Growing and leading a team of 15–20 designers, user experience architects and prototypers working across product design and digital newsroom projects.
The Times
Head of Digital Design, August 2013—November 2014
Leading the Digital Design team of 12–15, working across The Times’ digital product portfolio, as well as the daily digital editorial features and newsroom innovation.
Karmarama
User Experience Architect, August 2012—August 2013
Working collaboratively with developers, art directors, designers, copywriters and the strategy team on a wide range of projects; from brand campaign sites to ongoing site optimisations.
Pentagram
Graphic Designer and Brand Guardian, August 2010—August 2012
Part of a multidisciplinary team working on a variety of branding and graphic projects.