Annelie Rode

Over the last 15+ years, I have taken an unconventional path across multiple mediums, disciplines, and scales to become a proven creative leader. Whether working with the bricks and mortar of tangible experiences, the bits and bytes of digital media, or even cells and DNA in experimental biology, I am led by care and curiosity to craft evocative experiences for the betterment of humanity.

I believe in a simple, people-centered approach to design. I begin by understanding the human heart of a challenge, building the right team of experts for the job, getting innovative with the solutions, and then using the best technology and mediums to make culturally relevant experiences and deliver results.

Growing up in apartheid South Africa, I witnessed early in life how manufactured realities could profoundly shape human experiences. It became clear that design without care can lead to devastating outcomes. This experience instilled a deep compassion for people and a commitment to making a difference through design.

This drove me to pursue a career in architecture, where I gained a deeper understanding of how humans interact with one another and their surroundings. Guided by care, I applied design to improve lives and foster meaningful connections. As the world shifted towards digital, I honed these skills to craft impactful solutions in physical and virtual environments, always keeping the user at the center. This journey ultimately led me to a successful career in branding and advertising, with a keen focus on brand and industries that concern themselves with the cultural application of emerging technologies.

Caring has also significantly influenced my collaborative approach with others, both as a learner and a mentor. I nurture and lead teams, empowering them to freely innovate, find fulfillment, and create exceptional and profitable work (because I care about the bottom line too).

While I am disciplined in my approach to caring, I am also fiercely curious about new ways to improve the way we work, live, and play now and for a better future. This is not a reckless pursuit but rather a compelling need to explore uncharted territory methodically so that no stone is left unturned and no alchemy left unpracticed.

Pioneering new frontiers has instilled in me resilience, tenacity, courage, and the knowledge to assemble the right expertise for the challenge. This has enabled me to guide organizations successfully toward the cutting edge in their business and creative endeavors.

Care and curiosity have provided me with a multidisciplinary toolkit from which I can draw to push boundaries, solve complex problems intuitively and execute strategically. It has also given me a unique perspective on connecting brands with their audiences in meaningful ways that drive profitable results. Most recently, it allowed me to build and lead iRobot's in-house agency from the ground up with a dream team of more than 20 people in less than 15 months.

Ready to chart a new course with an intrepid creative director who cares? Let's connect and explore the possibilities.