Simon Rollett is a senior consultant and part of a human-centered design (HCD) team in the UK. Simon enjoys combining data insights with creative freedom to design solutions that truly resonate with users’ needs. With many years of experience doing different types of design work, Simon turned to CGI to scale his design skills and grow his career in a global organization.
Hi, Simon. Can you tell us when you joined CGI and what made you decide to become a CGI Partner?
I was looking for a job change at the end of 2022, and a recruiter at CGI contacted me.
I hadn't heard about CGI until then. I did some digging on LinkedIn and was impressed by some of the projects, including one where CGI’s newsroom system helps the BBC handle its global news output. The recruitment process went well, and I joined in January 2023.
The company's size is another aspect that played a part in my decision; CGI is a large global organization. One thing I was confident about was that because of the scale of the company—it's the biggest one I've ever worked for—there would be a broad selection of projects I could contribute to and learn from.
Can you tell us a little about your role and what you do?
My role is that of a user experience strategist, where I help ideate and design user journeys that simplify the user experience and accelerate productivity from improved engagement.
I work with a client that creates digital data products. A vast amount of research and data is available about how the current products are created and the processes used to generate them. We explore that data and organize it by both project and user experience objectives to identify essential engagement stages and user actions. This process gives us data-driven insights to improve how the products are built.
I then collaborate with my colleagues, and we ideate how to evolve the user journey through improvements and revisions, introducing new features to make it easier for human users to engage with the product.
Given our clients’ digital acceleration to meet the needs of their customers and citizens, your HCD focus sounds critical. Have you always worked in this field?
My career has mostly been built around different types of design. I've been a freelance illustrator, construction data journal editor, creative director, brand manager and UI web developer.
Before joining CGI, I completed six months with a local media agency. Prior to that, I worked with a fintech startup in London for just under 10 years, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I was looking for a change by then.
What do you enjoy most about the work you're doing right now?
The current digital product platform project is the biggest I've ever worked on. It requires me to use everything I’ve learned in my career so far: striving to deliver an efficient balance of user-tested and attractive design, data-driven simplicity, and intuitive human interaction. When working on this client project, I ask myself, “How can I achieve the best result from the fewest possible clear steps?” There's so much data available, and it is a genuinely enjoyable challenge to transform this data into a clear concept that improves outcomes.
What is the most valuable skill you've acquired since joining CGI?
Since I work primarily remotely, I have many virtual meetings every day. These meetings emphasize the importance of clarity in communication. I've become much more aware of this aspect and am trying to improve this skill.
For example, when I write something in a chat or into a system that other people might have to refer to, I think about how to communicate this message so that it isn’t misinterpreted. How can I articulate my thoughts in a completely clear way that doesn't raise doubts? I believe that context is everything in understanding; with clearer context, there is lesser need for detail and greater clarity to improve efficiency.
How does CGI support you on a day-to-day basis?
CGI has a very positive outlook on the health and well-being of all CGI Partners. I am pleasantly surprised to see such a large organization adopting a realistic stance on work-life balance and the reality of modern-day work.
For instance, we're encouraged to take breaks and move away from our screens. This is something that makes me feel genuinely supported. I also see support for different cultures and diversity, with regular opportunities to attend community meetings, engage with colleagues, and explore other related topics.
Also, the project teams at CGI and client teams are very nice. Everyone is helpful, easy to communicate with, and ready to share information—it's everything that makes a good working environment.
And finally... What do you do in your spare time when you want to unwind?
I'm happy with my work-life balance. I am a complete nerd and love computer games. I should have probably outgrown them about 20 years ago but diving into my PlayStation for a few hours every week—with a pack of biscuits nearby—is a guilty pleasure. I also enjoy running, badminton, boxing, and kickboxing.
Thanks, Simon, for sharing your journey at CGI!
