Syft — Xanthe Kakaras

Live at the XK Intersection

Field Notes

Four ways I look at the world. Tap a circle.

EExperienceWhere you can find me

Yes, I'm a mermaid (see About). You'll always find me near water. Underwater is a whole other life, and it's my safe place.

CCreativityWhat inspires me

I'm always somewhere new, and my friends and family have stopped being surprised by where I turn up. You'll find me with a camera or on a walk, taking photos that challenge how I see the world and teach me to really look.

PPerspectiveWhat shifts my mindset

I've set a goal to meet at least one new person every week. Every person is a window onto how someone else sees the world, and you never know what you'll learn.

UUniverseCulture fun fact

In Paris I ate only steak tartare, escargot and frog legs for three days straight, every meal, to find the best one.

Status
Currently based
in New York, NY

Work
About
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Xanthe Kakaras
Art Direction + Design

Syft
Product Design & Design for good

Syfting sound into sense.

Overview
Syft is a discreet neurological patch designed to recalibrate auditory processing timing, helping people with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) listen, interpret, and respond in real time without cognitive delay or mental exhaustion.

Most support systems for Auditory Processing Disorder are designed for children and educational settings, leaving adults with limited options. Young professionals with APD often struggle to keep up with fast-paced conversations in workplaces and social environments, leading to cognitive fatigue and communication barriers without discreet, lifestyle-appropriate support.

Inspired by personal experience with APD, the project explores how design can make auditory support feel clear, digestible, and non-medical. Research into existing technologies and user needs informed a brand and product system focused on clarity, discretion, and ease of use.

The project resulted in a premium wellness-oriented brand including the neurological patch device, packaging, a companion app concept, advertising, and an online presence. The visual language emphasizes calm clarity and accessibility, positioning Syft as supportive technology rather than a clinical medical device.

Scope
+ Brand Strategy & Positioning
+ Concept Development
+ Art Direction + Copywriting
+ Out of Home Advertising (OOH)
+ Product Development

What is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurological condition that impacts how sound is processed in the brain, making it harder to follow conversations, distinguish sounds, or filter background noise.

Brand Identity & Strategy

A minimal two-tone palette defines Syft: space grey captures the overwhelm of auditory processing, while butter yellow signals clarity and understanding. Built on the transition from scattered to simplified to syfted, the identity prioritizes clarity, space, and ease.

UX/UI App Component

The UX/UI extends the system through a companion app that lets users personalize their listening experience based on their surroundings. With custom modes and real-time adjustments, the interface prioritizes clarity, control, and ease of use.

Advertisement Campaign

The campaign uses layered, repetitive phrases like “what did you say… what did I miss?” to reflect the confusion and overwhelm of APD. Disrupted and difficult-to-read typography immerses viewers in this experience, before resolving with messaging that positions Syft as a tool for clarity and ease.

Guerilla Activation (Interactive)
The activation transforms awareness into interaction, allowing users to remove layered messages from the poster. This physical engagement mirrors the act of filtering sound, reinforcing both empathy and understanding.

Full Network

Type

Client

Year

Greek Publication Design

Allou

XK–24

Drink Packaging & Advertising

Blimey!

XK–25

Coffee Brand Experience

Brewtopia