About Lindie Botes - Product Designer

About

Photo of Linde Botes with long pink hair resting her head on her hand outdoors on a sunny day.

Hello! I am a product and visual designer shaped by a life lived across 7 countries* and 9 languages. I have 9 years of experience designing digital products for agencies and startups, focusing on edtech, ecommerce and fintech.

I also love learning and writing about things I'm passionate about. In 2024 I completed my master's degree in Information Design (Cum Laude). My thesis, focusing on aesthetic theory, is titled Otherworldliness and Death in Avant-Garde Japanese Poster Design.

Design approach

I'm fascinated by how culture, language and neurodiversity shape the way people use digital products. I design with everyone in mind, not just the majority use case.

My work balances craft, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to designing for people of various cognitive, linguistic, and digital literacy backgrounds.

Speaking & Teaching

I've had the pleasure of sharing about design, languages and their intersection at various events, exhibitions and workshops.

Talks & Keynotes

2025Otherworldliness and Death in post-WWII Japanese Poster DesignThesis presentation, School of the Arts, University of Pretoria

2021Bridging Tech, UX Design and Language LearningLanguages in Science, Lancaster University

2021Improving Design & Engineering Ways of Working — 99.co showcaseRocket Academy, Singapore

2021Combining UX design thinking and languagesLanguages in Science, Lancaster University

2020App Design for the World: Considering Languages, Scripts and Digital LiteracyPolyglot Conference Global, online

2019Language Learning through Immersion and Culture ShockKyushu Sangyo University, Fukuoka, Japan

2018Language learning and culture keynote speechWomen in Language Conference

Lecturing

2026Honours Theses SupervisorAI in Visual Culture, Mimetic Theory, Illustration, UI/UX design

2025Honours Theses Supervisor & LecturerNation Branding, Airline Branding, Japanese Soft Power in Visual Culture

2023–26Lecturer, School of the Arts, University of PretoriaPlay Theory in UI/UX design (IOW 400)Language & Culture — UI/UX design & prototyping (IOW 400)Language & Culture — Corporate Branding Design (IOW 401)Product Design for UN Sustainable Development Goals (ILL 301)UI/UX Design for Social Good (IOW 200)Figma Training Instructor (2nd–4th year)

2017Lecturer, School of the Arts, University of PretoriaUI/UX module: Design for Social Good (IOW 200)

Workshops

2026Training workshop: Design & Development collaborationFio Group, Pretoria

2017Workshop for diplomats: How to learn a foreign languageDepartment of International Relations & Co-Operation, Pretoria

Exhibitions

2025Creating Cross-Cultural Collaboration — Exhibition Design and VideoSchool of the Arts, University of Pretoria

2024Exhibition Opening: How should designers work with AI?Special Characters Graduate Exhibition, University of Pretoria

Languages & Interests

languages

English - native

Afrikaans - native

Korean - full working proficiency