Ava Sutherland

Strategic designer

Ava is a designer and facilitator who thrives on translating complexity into intuitive visual formats. Always curious and ready for a challenge, she blends strategy-driven storytelling with participatory practices. Specifically, Ava is passionate about using participatory mapping to co-create, build knowledge and work through complex problems while bringing in new perspectives.

Beyond Neo, you may find Ava at Central Saint Martins, where she uses her experience as a graduate to mentor and assist on the Graphic Communication Design programme. Or otherwise, the nearest hiking trail is a good bet.

She is passionate about social and environmental justice, in particular intersectionality. As a result, she has worked on projects that address prison reform, climate change, regional bias, LGBTQIA rights, D/deaf experiences and lots more.

Special power
Translating complex information into clear, insight-driven visual stories. Ava can capture both the emotive and low-level information of a subject area.
What makes her happy
Being surrounded by nature, not a building in sight. Talking to strangers. Travelling. The smell of spring. Dancing at a music festival. Board games. Non-fiction books. Train rides.
In her own words
Like everyone, I find it difficult to look at the news and witness the social and environmental challenges facing our planet today. In a world of noise and information overload, I remain positive that I can use my skills to help organisations make real change.