Hi, I’m Ivan. I’m a design leader who loves solving problems with good writing.
Based in London, I’m currently Head of Content Design at MoonPay.
I also take on small bits of freelance work through my agency, Merritt Studios.
About me
I’m a design leader who works with startups and scaleups across a range of industries, including FinTech.
For the last ten years, I’ve been working to build apps and services that are more human, enjoyable, and useful.
A lot of my career has been spent at Wise (formerly TransferWise). As employee #29 there, I was lucky enough to build an international bank from scratch. Wise is now used by millions to save millions on their cross-border payments.
Since then, I’ve worked in People Tech before moving onto Web3 and decentralised finance. I’m currently Head of Content Design at MoonPay — the world’s largest, and most trusted way to buy, sell, and convert digital currencies and assets.
I also run writing workshops for startups and teach a yearly class at the University of Tartu about the power of good copy. I’ve edited a book about design (and kittens), and was a member of the British-Estonian Chamber of Commerce for 2 years.
Experience
Leading creative teams since 2019
Constructing flows for B2C and B2B apps and services
Designing for international audiences
Creating and contributing to design systems
Running research, setting project direction.
Approach
I see my role as having three parts to it:
To solve high-impact problems for users, the business, and everyone in-between.
To set the standard for design quality — by building a culture that rewards building the right things, the right way.
And finally, to empower and up skill designers around you to do their best work.
Yes, there’s always a time to get your hands dirty in Figma. But I believe it’s far more important to set a strategy, get buy-in, work with engineers, and give my team space to thrive. Because that’s how you chip away at those big problems faster.
Recent roles
MoonPay, Head of Content Design, 2023-present
Mo, Head of Product and Design. 2022
Wise, Product Design Lead. 2020-2021
Wise, Content Design Lead. 2019-2020
Wise, Content Designer. 2015-2019
Projects
Tartu University, Marketing MA lectures. Since 2018
Joint Academy writing and brand workshop. 2021
Mapillary (now a Facebook company) writing and brand workshop. 2019
Anyone Can Design, Even a Kitten (Editor). 2018