Jaco Crafford
About Jaco Crafford
Jaco Crafford is a Product Design Lead at FareHarbor, based in Amsterdam, with over 20 years of experience in designing customer-centric digital products, particularly in the banking and financial services sector.
Work at FareHarbor
Currently, Jaco Crafford serves as the Product Design Lead at FareHarbor, a role he has held since 2022. Based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, he leads a team of designers focused on enhancing user experiences through innovative digital transformation projects. His responsibilities include overseeing the design process and ensuring that the products align with user needs and business objectives.
Previous Experience in Product Design
Jaco Crafford has extensive experience in product design, having held several key positions in the banking and financial services sector. He worked at Barclays as Product Design Lead and later as Product Design Director in Africa Regional Operations from 2017 to 2019. He also served as Creative Director for Digital Channels at Absa Group from 2019 to 2022. His career includes roles at various organizations, such as Synergy Corporate Technologies, Old Mutual, and 22seven: Boss Your Money, where he contributed to customer-centric digital products.
Education and Expertise
Jaco Crafford has a solid educational background in design and business strategy. He studied at Harvard Business School, focusing on Network Effects, Online Media Strategy, and Strategy, completing a Short Course in 2009. He earned a Diploma in New Media Design from City Varsity from 1998 to 2000. Additionally, he has pursued Project Management studies at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, although this was left incomplete.
Design and Technical Skills
Jaco possesses over 20 years of experience in designing and managing digital products, particularly in the banking and financial services industry. He is well-versed in programming and technology, enabling him to bridge the gap between design and engineering. His expertise includes mobile usability, design patterns, and platform best practices. He also has skills in micro-copywriting and is recognized for his ability to manage digital brand and design standards.
Theoretical Knowledge and Specializations
Jaco Crafford is a theory scholar with a focus on behavioral economics, heuristics, cognitive biases, human-computer interaction, and Gestalt Principles. His specialization in these areas enhances his approach to product design, allowing him to create user-centered solutions. He plays a significant role in managing flagship mobile applications and advises on strategy and product outcomes, leveraging his comprehensive understanding of user behavior and design principles.