
People & Culture
PEOPLE & CULTURE
Our people: trusted, talented and experienced.
Sandbox was founded by directors Luke and Fonda, industry leaders who combined their expertise to create a comprehensive design and consultancy experience, guiding clients from initial research to final delivery.
With the addition of Lachlan as Project Director, the team now benefits from an even broader range of skills, blending creative vision, strategic leadership, and seamless project execution.
Luke Cannon, Creative Director
As Creative Lead at Sandbox, Luke brings over 20 years of design expertise from in-house, agency and independent roles. Equal parts creative thinker and strategic, analysis-led designer, Luke loves to help brands ‘think big’, find new opportunities for customer connection and create an unforgettable experience.
At Sandbox, he oversees all creative output of the studio, steering the conceptual process with clarity and insight, while inspiring the team for excellence. Renowned for his creative vision, he crafts ideas that push boundaries while maintaining a sharp focus on strategic objectives and client goals.
Luke is also trusted and respected for his client management. Having founded and managed design practice Studio Ginger for over 15 years prior to co-founding Sandbox, Luke is unfailingly calm, open-minded and inclusive in his approach to design, creating a client experience that has seen him build long-term relationships with partners across Australia and abroad.
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Fonda Valasis, Business Director
Gregarious, thoughtful, and enthusiastic, Fonda has been a trusted voice in the design and construction industry for decades. With a background spanning Documentation and Project Management, with deep expertise in Value Engineering, and Construction Supervision, he combines technical know-how with a strategic vision for business growth.
As Business Director, Fonda oversees operations, cultivates client relationships, and identifies opportunities to drive the business forward. His positive attitude and can-do approach make collaboration enjoyable and productive, while his methodical, process-driven management style ensures every initiative is delivered with precision.
Fonda is the backbone of our Business Management, aligning strategy, timing, and impact to achieve outstanding results. With his unique ability to balance big-picture thinking and meticulous attention to detail, he inspires confidence in every interaction and keeps the business moving toward its next success.
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Lachlan Campbell, Project Director
With over a decade of experience spanning high-end residential, hospitality, and major retail projects, Lachlan brings strategic vision and a passion for impactful design to his role as Project Director at Sandbox. Known for driving smarter workflows and fostering strong client relationships, he leads with enthusiasm, precision, and a focus on delivering exceptional results.
Lachlan’s career highlights include designing bespoke luxury bathware for superyachts with apaiser, collaborating with global design icons like Kelly Hoppen, and delivering national retail campaigns for household names such as Woolworths and McDonald’s. His versatile background, including running his own creative studio GherkinPress, has honed his ability to tackle diverse challenges with bold, functional, and innovative solutions.
At Sandbox, Lachlan is dedicated to aligning creativity with strategy, ensuring seamless project delivery and inspiring the team to push boundaries. His dynamic approach and commitment bring fresh energy to every project, making him a driving force behind shaping the studio's future.
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Our team
The Sandbox team is made up of designers, problem-solvers and roll-up-your-sleeve doers, who will work in close collaboration with you and your brand team. Led by our core values of creativity, teamwork and respect, we’ll quickly become your design partner and trusted collaborator.
Ellie, Senior Designer
Ellie is an integral member of our design team. She actively generates fresh concepts and diligently collaborates on design development to ensure that every aspect of a project is not only creatively compelling but also practical and functional.
Mariana, Designer
Mariana plays a pivotal role in our creative team, not only does she effectively manage the documentation process across a diverse range of clients, but she is a gun at 3D modeling and rendering and is our go-to for all things Revit, enhancing the overall project quality and visual representation.
Ale, Designer
Ale, a skilled and versatile designer, she crafts innovative client solutions and excels in all things CAD and REVIT. With seamless teamwork, client interaction, and consultant coordination, she's a treasured asset to our team.
Kiara, Designer
Kiara, our resident 3D rendering specialist not only visualizes creative concepts, but is also a force when it comes to rolling out REVIT documentation, ensuring precise execution of every detail. She’s a key pillar within the team.