Urban Monkey moves people and creates experiences.
We do this through:
What does that look like?
It’s helping people find their way through public spaces and navigate complex urban environments. It’s creating memorable customer experiences and products for people. And it’s supporting people to work productively and travel safely by creating bespoke built structures.
In short, we aim to make life better for people.
Everything we do reflects the colourful, unpredictable, complex, three-dimensional world we live in.
The bigger picture is about connecting people to places, experiences and things through the three main strands of wayfinding, building design and industrial design. Everything in between informs our skill set and services.
Experienced. Skilled. Curious.
We’ve been navigating urban jungles for more than 20 years, but our desire to keep creating has never waned.
Our team is capable and passionate. We think, we create, we do. We’re involved at every stage of a project to see it through to implementation.
Director
Graduate Diploma of Industrial Design, Bachelor of Built Environment (Industrial Design), Associate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Distinction), Bachelor Applied Science (Arts)
A background in the built environment, structural and mechanical engineering and graphic design, Eddie’s skills have lined up to create a ‘sweet spot’ in the world of building, wayfinding and industrial design. With the foundations laid, Eddie took up lead positions in delivering major public transport and wayfinding projects before naturally becoming the director of his own studio. Combining this with the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people and balance career and family commitments, Urban Monkey was born.
Balance is key for Eddie, to do good work means keeping his mind stimulated and curious — whether it’s mechanical skills (he’s been known to read a car manual from start to finish), his love of all movie genres but particularly Japanese anime, walking his rescue-pup ‘Poppy’, watching his kids play hockey, Eddie’s keenness for life translates into creative and innovative projects for all of Urban Monkey’s clients.
Favourite Quote: “Design is as much a matter of finding problems as it is solving them.” – Bryan Lawson
Project Manager, Office Manager, Designer
Diploma of Interior Design (currently studying)
Wearing multiple hats across project and office management, design, accounts, business development, and HR, Julie is the glue that holds our troop together.
Her past life working in design studios on global branding campaigns, customer experience, and fit-out projects has given Julie a holistic, human-focussed perspective that dovetails seamlessly with Urban Monkey’s philosophy.
Outside of work, Julie’s life oscillates between family, study and making stuff. With a keen interest in sewing, woodwork and artwork, she’s inspired by creating and discovering the endless supply of new learnings the world has to offer.
Favourite Quote: “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams
Designer
Master of Architecture (Distinction), Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Science (Environmental Design)
As a qualified architect, Michelle is driven by good design having a positive impact on people’s lives.
A strong visual awareness and eye for detail gives Michelle an added advantage when developing design documentation from conceptual through to construction drawings.
Michelle has worked on major infrastructure projects across the globe, from public sector transit projects, to residential, education, and even prison projects, where she plied her trade in both the United Kingdom and the United States before settling down in Australia.
Between juggling weekend sport with her kids and building on her Camper shoe collection, Michelle enjoys the quieter moments that come with studying the detail in joinery drawings over a cup of coffee.
Favourite quote: “Life is like an onion. You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.” – Carl Sandburg
Design Documenter
Bachelor of Design (Architecture + Interior Design)
Having studied in both Australia and abroad (Oxford Brookes University, England), Gitchu enjoys the opportunity to apply her creative leanings to the broad spectrum of briefs that come through Urban Monkey’s doors.
Drawing inspiration from the surrounding environment, travel and nature really opened up Gitchu’s eyes to how design can be inspired by all manner of things. Gitchu has been recognised for her work too, claiming the Jim Woolley Design for Sustainability during her architectural studies.
Just as happy hiking as she is shopping, Gitchu brings an invaluable perspective to the Urban Monkey team.
Favourite quote: “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs
No two briefs are ever the same, but our interdisciplinary approach means we can be reliably consistent in bringing ideas to life.
By viewing each project through our layered design lens of wayfinding, structural engineering and architectural and industrial design, we have the tools to take things in the direction they need to go.
This is how it happens:
We plan ahead by understanding the impact of other works and operations to save time and budget later on.
We’re responsive because we’re nimble and innovative. We create bespoke solutions for ease of maintenance and installation with projects which results in a smoother experience for all involved.
We stay involved because we’re an efficient and tight team. We know the brief intimately and keep across all aspects and stages of a project from start to finish.
We’re big on communication. The more we collaborate and consult with clients, the better the outcomes. We take a holistic approach to collaboration with all stakeholders across the life of a project.
We think like engineers too which means can make informed decisions around the implications of fixings and structural limitations before they’re even made.
The bottom line is that we always deliver quality outcomes for our clients, on time and on budget.
Get in touch! We’d love to hear from you.
a PO Box 832, Lutwyche Qld 4030, Australia
p +61 7 3357 5127
