Hey,
I'm Sarai

A cultural UX/UI designer based in Perth, WA. As a Samoan and Pākehā / New Zealand European designer, I design for how people feel, not just what they do. My work is rooted in research, empathy, and a belief that design should serve communities, not just users.

Sarai Reid — Cultural UX/UI Designer, Perth WA

What I care about

These aren't just values I hold — they show up in how I research, design, and collaborate on every project.

01
Care & Empathy

I design for real human needs — focusing on wellbeing, emotional safety, and meaningful support, not just aesthetics or function.

02
Cultural Grounding

I value designing within the context of Aotearoa and Pacific communities, drawing on my own dual identity respectfully and meaningfully.

03
Research-Informed

Strong design comes from evidence and insight, not assumptions. I prioritise in-depth primary and secondary research to guide every decision.

Designing from
two worlds

As a Samoan and Pākehā / New Zealand European designer, my cultural identity isn't just something I carry personally — it shapes how I approach every project. I move between different cultural worlds, communities, and ways of knowing, and I bring that perspective into my design practice.

I am currently studying at Media Design School, Auckland, New Zealand — completing my Bachelor of Media Design (BMD) majoring in UX/UI Design, graduating July 2027. I'm particularly drawn to projects involving cultural identity, community wellbeing, and creating meaningful experiences for people who are often underrepresented.

Now based in Perth, I'm looking to work with studios and organisations that design for communities — particularly those designing for cultural connection, wellbeing, and the people often underserved by mainstream design.

UX Research and Insight DevelopmentCore
UX/UI and Interaction DesignCore
Brand Identity and StrategyStrong
Experience and Installation DesignStrong
Structured Problem Solving and PlanningStrong
Collaboration and Team LeadershipStrong
Creative Coding — HTML / CSS / JSCore
"I design for how people feel, not just what they do — grounded in research, culture, and care."
Based in
Perth, WA
Open to UX/UI and experience design roles — cultural, community, and purpose-driven work
Education
Bachelor of Media Design (BMD) — UX/UI Design
Media Design School, Auckland · Graduating July 2027
Tools
FigmaFigJamIllustratorPhotoshopInDesignHTML · CSS · JSp5.jsVS Code

Beyond the portfolio

samoa

Pacific Roots

Samoan + Pākehā /
New Zealand European.

My heritage is Samoan and Pākehā / New Zealand European. This dual cultural background shapes how I approach design — with care for identity, community, and the different ways people connect to place, story, and each other.

My cat
Animal Lover

Soft spot for animals,
always.

Outside of design, I'm happiest around animals — especially my very opinionated cat. He brings chaos, softness, and personality into my everyday life, which probably explains why I'm drawn to design that feels human, warm, and a little playful.

two worlds
Two Homes

Raised in Aotearoa,
now based in Perth.

Raised in Aotearoa and now based in Perth, I'm learning to call a new city home while staying connected to where I come from. Moving between places has shaped how I see people, culture, and belonging — ideas that often sit at the heart of my design work.

Open to
opportunities.