Built for Industry: Emily Saint-Ablett, Digital Growth Consultant
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Emily Saint-Ablett completed her Integrated Foundation Year in Art, Design and Media at Ravensbourne in 2010. She went on to study Graphic Communication and building a career that has taken her from retail and customer service into digital growth, UX design, and ultimately running her own consultancy.
Today, Emily specialises in Conversion Rate Optimisation in her role at Saintablett Digital, helping brands in the kids’ e-commerce space turn browsers into buyers.
We caught up with her to learn more about her working life after Ravensbourne.
Emily Saint-Ablett quote
I was always pushed by my tutors and challenged on my decisions. It helped widen my horizons and open my mind to other journeys. ”
What have you been doing since graduating from Ravensbourne University London, and how has your career progressed so far?
Following my pre-degree in Art, Design and Media at Ravensbourne, I began my career in retail, starting in customer services before moving into digital growth and UX design.
After some years advancing to the role of Head of Digital, I now work as a digital growth consultant. I work for myself, specialising in Conversion Rate Optimisation.
Were there any industry projects, live briefs, placements, or collaborations during your studies that helped shape your career path?
My final project at Ravensbourne was a kids activity pack where I designed every element, from the activity to the goodie bag. Since then, I have gone on to specialise in kids' e-commerce websites. I love the playful element of the projects I work on and being a mother of three myself, I feel like I am familiar with the needs of parents.
How did the connections you made at Ravensbourne with tutors, peers, or industry partners influence your professional journey?
I was exposed to so many different mediums, styles and thought processes from my peers. This was integral to working out my own style and passions. I really enjoyed talking this through with others and working out gaps in my user journey.
What skills or experiences from your time at Ravensbourne do you use most in your current role?
I remember always being asked “why” by tutors. This is something I carry with me day-to-day. Whenever I get blocked on a project, I ask myself “why?; Why was this my solution? Why would anyone care? I was always pushed by my tutors and challenged on my decisions. It helped widen my horizons and open my mind to other journeys.
How does your career development connect to Ravensbourne's current focus on creativity, technology and business?
I am self-employed; I manage my own clients and work. I work in a creative field and it is all based on current technologies.
What advice would you give current Ravensbourne students hoping to start out in industry?
Allow yourself to be fluid. Don't be fixated on one path, let your passions and skills dictate where you go. Absorb everything even the things you think don't matter and try everything.
Emily has recently been nominated for a Brandland award and shortlisted as one of five finalists for the Brand Growth award.
Emily’s journey is a brilliant example of how Ravensbourne can take root in unexpected and rewarding ways, from a playful final project to a thriving career built on curiosity, creativity and asking the right questions. We can’t wait to see where her passion for purposeful, people-first design takes her next.
To read more about studying Art, Design and Media at Ravensbourne, click here.
