My Story
Back when I was studying IT, I saw interfaces as just a way for users to get things done. Then I stumbled upon The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman, and suddenly, I started seeing design in a whole new light. Design wasn’t just about functionality but it was about experience. A poorly designed product could technically work but still frustrate users or drive them away from your product if it lacked UX heuristics such as clear feedback, intuitive flows, or offered a sense of delight.
That realization set me on the path to UX. I wanted to design experiences that felt seamless, natural, and obvious in the best possible way. This led me to explore a career in UX and join a UX design program to learn the foundations and figure out which part of UX excited me the most.
My UX Journey
Graduated from User Experience Design
Humber College
2019
After a stretch freelancing for small businesses (and learning the joys and headaches of wearing all the hats), I jumped into startup life with ISL Digital, my first real taste of building things with a team.
I found myself wrangling branding, motion, and UI for everything from live news graphics to digital platforms. ISL was chaos, in the best way. It was where I learned to thrive in ambiguity, improvise on the fly, and translate fast-moving feedback into designs that made sense. I built an internal design system, learned to speak “editor” and “producer,” and figured out that sometimes the best ideas happen between deadlines.
Looking back, ISL was less about graphics and more about creative problem-solving, finding order in the whirlwind, and realizing that I enjoy solving the messy parts nobody sees, not just the ones that show up on screen.
Eventually, I landed a UX role at The Weather Network, where I hit the ground running. My first big project? Redesigning the Weather Maps experience from the ground up. It was a high-visibility, cross-platform feature that also had to align with a brand refresh happening at the same time… no pressure. But I'm glad to say that I pulled through and designed a great product that improved the experience and user metrics.
From there, I worked on a variety of projects, including:
🗺️Vacation Planning Product
Used historical weather data to help users choose the best travel dates, while also creating sponsorship opportunities for travel brands.
🤖Weather Assistant
Powered by LLM technology, helping users plan their daily and weekly routines with AI-driven weather insights.
📈Growth-focused UX Improvements
Several more growth-focused projects aimed at refining the current design and overall experience to improve user engagement.
Being the only cross-platform designer had its perks, which meant I wasn’t just designing but also advocating for UX decisions across teams. I worked closely with product managers, developers, meteorologists, and even sponsorship teams to balance user needs with business goals. Working with ambiguous requirements and multiple stakeholders, I learned how to explain the why behind design decisions, communicate my ideas clearly, and find opportunities to improve products even outside my assigned projects.
If UX were a game, my skills would be...
Here are the four things I focus on the most when crafting user experiences.
Bridging Design & Development
Thanks to my software development background, I don’t just design with users in mind but also think about feasibility. I work closely with developers to make sure ambitious ideas don’t just look great in Figma but actually translate smoothly into real, functional products.
Exploring Different Approaches
I design using two routes: one practical and the other ambitious, like a concept car. The practical approach is usually more realistic, but the ambitious one gets people talking and excited. Even if it’s not totally possible, we can still take the good ideas from it and make something even better.
Prototyping with Motion
When there’s time, I don’t just build static wireframes, I create high-fidelity, interactive prototypes with motion. This helps stakeholders see and feel the experience before development even begins, making it easier to get buy-in and align everyone on the vision.
Collaboration & Communication
Colleagues often say I’m great to work with. I’m good at bringing teams together, keeping everyone in the loop, and avoiding any surprises. Whether I’m working with developers to tweak designs before launch (thanks to my background in software dev) or coordinating with stakeholders, I make sure everyone’s on the same page.
Beyond UX
When I need to unplug, I’m probably out on a nature trail, letting my mind wander to refuel my creativity. If I’m staying in, I’m either trying to perfect a new dish in the kitchen (results may vary) or getting lost in a sci-fi movie, TV show, or video game. I also have a soft spot for anything space-related, whether it’s a movie, a game, or a documentary that makes me ponder our place in the universe on this pale blue dot we call home.
I love geeking out about new technologies, breaking down how they work, and thinking about how their UX could be improved. When I just want to unwind, I dive into story-driven video games, the kind that pull you in with immersive worlds and great narratives.
Formula 1 is another obsession of mine. I geek out over race strategies, car performance data, and how things work, breaking down every little detail. Naturally, that obsession spills over into gaming, where I manage my own virtual team in F1 Manager 24. It might not be the real deal, but hey, my team and strategies are very well managed.
