What I Do

For over 15 years I have successfully integrated UX best practices, using Agile methodologies, into various organization's development pipelines. I am adept at adapting / translating ideas between development and design and guiding others towards sustainable solutions that work and produce results. I’ve achieved this through collaborative community building within every company I've worked for.

  • Ipsum
  • Dolor
CDAP

Case Study

Successful CDAP Application

The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is a government initiative designed to help Canadian businesses embrace digital technology. It offers grants and zero-interest loans to develop and implement digital adoption plans, supporting businesses in their digital transformation.

In my role, I steered a local nursery through a successful CDAP application, focusing on a strategy to enhance their digital presence with clear business objectives. We implemented a user-centric design to improve site navigation and engagement, measured by key performance indicators (KPIs) such as increased page views and reduced bounce rates. The integration of mobile optimization and user feedback tools aimed to elevate customer satisfaction and retention rates, essential KPIs for online business growth. This comprehensive approach ensured alignment with CDAP's goals and delivered measurable business benefits for the company.

Case Study

Crowd-Sourced UX Redesign

Introduction:
In a rapidly evolving digital age, the need for inclusive and user-centric platforms in healthcare is paramount. Recognizing this, our team embarked on an ambitious mission: to tap into the collective intelligence of a diverse user base to refine and redesign the user experience of a major healthcare platform.

The Ideation Session:
We conducted an immersive ideation session that drew participation from over 300 individuals. This wasn't just any group; it encompassed a wide spectrum of users - from healthcare professionals and caregivers to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and Indigenous users. The goal was clear: capture as many diverse perspectives as possible to shape the platform's next iteration.
Using interactive Miro boards, we collected a over a thousand points, allowing participants to pinpoint areas of improvement, suggest features, and highlight potential pitfalls.

Emerging Themes:
From the myriad of insights gathered, five pivotal themes emerged:
  1. Integration & Coordination of Services: Users expressed the need for seamless coordination between different healthcare services.
  2. User Experience and Ease of Use: The platform should be intuitive, eliminating any learning curve for users.
  3. Comprehensive & Accurate Information: Users wanted reliable information that addresses all their concerns and questions.
  4. Accessibility & Inclusivity: Catering to users of all abilities and backgrounds was a recurrent emphasis.
  5. Virtual Services & Tools: The demand for virtual consultations and tools was a key takeaway, reflecting the new digital age of healthcare.

The Discovery Report:
Our team synthesized these findings into a comprehensive 40-page discovery report. This document not only cataloged our research but also outlined a roadmap for future platform enhancements.

Conclusion:
The ideation session and the subsequent report underscore the transformative power of community-driven insights. With collective commitment and collaboration, we are paving the way for a healthcare platform that is not only efficient and intuitive but also truly inclusive.

Case Study

Conversion to Mobile

Introduction:
In a world where mobile devices dominate daily interactions, ensuring accessibility and efficiency on smaller screens is essential. Recognizing the shift towards mobile-centric user experiences, our team embarked on the journey to develop a mobile version of OCAS' college application service.

Analysis & Wireframing:
The project began with a thorough analysis of the existing service. We scrutinized its user flows, identifying potential bottlenecks and areas for enhancement. Leveraging these insights, our team crafted detailed wireframes, creating a blueprint for the mobile iteration. These wireframes became our guiding light, ensuring that the mobile version retained its core functionality while being intuitive and easy to navigate.

Optimization for Mobile:
Drawing upon deep expertise in mobile design principles, we focused on adapting the platform for smaller screens. This wasn't a simple shrink-down. Considerations were vast: from optimizing touch screen interactions, understanding the thumb-friendly zones, to ensuring the content was legible and actionable within the confined real estate of mobile devices.

Collaborative Development:
Our journey was enriched by collaboration. The Development, Product, & Project teams were deeply involved, ensuring that the technical feasibility and strategic objectives were always aligned. Beyond our internal teams, user feedback played a pivotal role. Through iterative testing and refinements, we kept the user at the center of our redesign process.

Conclusion:
The culmination of our efforts was a mobile application that provides a seamless user experience tailored to its audience. By marrying form and function, and through relentless collaboration and feedback, we've ensured that OCAS' college application service is now more accessible and user-friendly than ever before.

Case Study

Balancing Security and Usability

Introduction
In the fast-paced digital landscape, passwords are the first line of defense against security breaches. Yet, a delicate balance must be struck between complexity and user-friendliness. At OCAS, this equilibrium was disrupted, leading to a perplexing conundrum. An overly rigorous password policy resulted in a surge of user frustration and a deluge of customer support calls from users who found themselves barred from their accounts.

Problem Identification
OCAS' password stipulations proved to be more of a hurdle than a help. Users were not only struggling to create passwords that met the extensive criteria but also found it challenging to recall them subsequently. This friction led to a marked increase in the volume of calls to customer support, signifying a deep-rooted UX issue.

Research & Usability Testing
Determined to unearth the core of the issue, I embarked on a dual-faceted approach. Comprehensive research was paired with 1 on 1 usability testing sessions. These interactions offered invaluable insights into user pain points, emotions, and challenges. It wasn't just about the password; it was about the perceived barriers it created.

Strategic Simplification
Armed with the insights from our research, the pathway forward was clear. While security remained non-negotiable, usability couldn't be sidelined. The password policy underwent a transformation, reducing unnecessary complexities while upholding robust security measures.

Conclusion: Measurable Impact
The fruits of this endeavor were immediately palpable. Post-implementation, OCAS witnessed a commendable 15% reduction in calls to the help line, a testament to the newfound harmony between security and user experience. This journey underscored the importance of continuously re-evaluating and optimizing user journeys, even in areas as seemingly straightforward as password creation.

Case Study

BBM

Introduction
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) was once at the forefront of instant messaging, with its unique PIN-based system and robust security features. As BlackBerry ventured into newer horizons with the Playbook and a fresh lineup of smartphones, the need to reinvent BBM's user experience became paramount. This journey, from concept to completion, was punctuated by innovative designs and a relentless focus on user needs.

Pioneering Prototype Designs
With the unveiling of the Playbook and upcoming smartphones, BlackBerry was set to make a strong statement in the tech world. I took the lead in crafting prototype designs that not only showcased BlackBerry's technological prowess but also emphasized an intuitive user interface. This blend of form and function was crucial in positioning BlackBerry as a formidable player in an increasingly competitive market.

The Emoticon Revolution
Communication isn't just about words; emotions play a pivotal role. Recognizing this, I conceptualized and executed an innovative emoticon tool for BBM. More than just symbols, these emoticons became powerful communication enhancers, allowing users to convey sentiments with unparalleled ease and flair. This tool didn't just enrich BBM; it redefined how users interacted with the platform.

Collaborative Synergy
The journey from ideation to execution is seldom a solitary one. Collaborative efforts with the Project Management, Product Management, and Development teams ensured that our visions aligned. This synergy was instrumental in translating innovative concepts into tangible products, ensuring that each iteration resonated with BlackBerry's overarching vision and user needs.

Conclusion: User-Centric Triumph
At the heart of these transformations was a commitment to user-centric design. By weaving user feedback into every stage of the design process, BlackBerry's primary communication tools underwent a renaissance. This metamorphosis showcased the undeniable impact of user-oriented design, reinforcing BlackBerry's position as a leader in communication tools and solidifying the brand's legacy in the annals of tech history.

Career Highlights

Lead BlackBerry Webmail's usability testing
Designed and developed a portal used by every Canadian Mazda Dealership
Led a 14 member design team who developed Hockey.com and Golfcourses.com
Selected as an Artist in Residence at Microsoft Seattle Campus
Decreased OCAS' customer service calls by 15% with a single UX fix

  • Licenses and Certificates

    Nielen Norman Group
    UX Certification - Speciality in UX Management
    (Working towards a Masters Certification)

    Human Factors International
    Certified Usability Analyst

    Acceleration Academy
    Customer Experience Leadership and Implementation

  • Self Development

    Fierce Conversations
    Promotes authentic dialogues to confront challenges and foster personal and profession growth

    Agile Methodology Training
    Covered iterative project management, team collaboration, adaptive planning, and continuous improvement principles

  • Education

    McMaster University
    Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts

    Sheridan College
    Post Graduate Degree in New Media Design

  • UX Design Toolkit

    Adobe Creative Cloud
    Figma
    InVision
    Sketch

  • Interests

    3D Art
    Green Energy
    Electric Cars

  • Activities

    Backcountry Canoeing & Hiking
    Coaching Soccer
    Founding member of the Puslinch High Speed Volunteer Group

Let's Connect

If you're interested working together drop me a line.