Senior User Experience Designer

• Aug 2021 - Present

User Experience Designer

• Nov 2016 - Aug 2021

As Public Health Ontario's UX Designer my role is to understand the breadth of our scientific, healthcare and policy focused users and create human-centered solutions that serve their work. I've worked on a range of complex projects including:- working with vendors to develop a response, accessible, user-centred website using a variety of user research tools including, co-design, usability testing, surveys, tree testing and card sorting - developing the information architecture for approximately 3000 documents and 950 webpages in English and around 520 webpages in French- improving the flexibility and organization of our laboratory test information to reduce testing errors and customer inquiries- managing data application projects that work for health experts and their need to use data to inform programs and influence health outcomes, including data products for: infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and COVID-19- conducting user research and creating artifacts for a well-water application- co-facilitating a workshop on user-centered design at The Ontario Public Health Convention - using page analytics to advocate for website changes- developing UX writing web guidelines for our extensive report publishing work- developing and maintaining a user research participant spreadsheet for specialized user recruitment and feedback - developing and maintaining a user research synthesis to track opportunities and strategize solutions and ongoing improvements- as a team player during the pandemic I have taken on many roles including web writing, content management and publishing the website as neededAll the projects above include various types of user research, prototyping, testing, presentation, facilitation and collaboration with many facets of our organization.

Owner and Designer

• Jan 2013 - Jun 2018

Luvelo designed and manufactured beautiful and practical bike accessories for urban cyclists. Our bells and baskets were available in over 50 independent bike shops in North America. I managed all aspects of the business including, product design, prototyping, testing, sourcing, production management, web and print design, and logistics. Luvelo designed and manufactured beautiful and practical bike accessories for urban cyclists. Our bells and baskets were available in over 50 independent bike shops in North America. I managed all aspects of the business including, product design, prototyping, testing, sourcing, production management, web and print design, and logistics.

UX Designer

• Dec 2016 - Dec 2017

User Experience and Research. I work with clients to assess projects, understand their goals, conduct user research and implement digital and web design strategies. Provided content strategy and UX writing guidance. User Experience and Research. I work with clients to assess projects, understand their goals, conduct user research and implement digital and web design strategies. Provided content strategy and UX writing guidance.

Product Designer

• Sep 2009 - May 2012

I worked directly under the creative direction of Jonathan Adler to design products including tableware, lighting, decorative accessories, textiles and packaging. In this fast-paced environment I managed all aspects of the design process from brainstorming ideas, creating forms, developing patterns, selecting colors, creating spec sheets, designing packaging and communicating with vendors to get prototypes made. We then tested and revised prototypes for production. Part of my role included hiring and providing creative direction to design interns. I also worked with our in-house pottery studio to get their stunning creations to market.

Wayfinding Graphic Assistant

• Sep 2008 - Apr 2009

The Libeskind Crystal addition to the ROM created wayfinding challenges for visitors coming to the museum. Working with the wayfinding designer I assessed directional signage, conducted in-person user research, proposed design solutions and tested new wayfinding proposals for the museum. In the cafe I created and implemented colorful directional signage to guide customers to the various stations. I also designed temporary exhibition graphics and managed the vendor relations and installation of the projects.

Contributing Writer

• Sep 2007 - Sep 2008

I was a contributing writer at Designlines, a publication focused on design in Toronto. I interviewed local designers and wrote profiles on their studios including: Thout, Tristan Zimmerman and Evan Bare. My work included writing product descriptions and updating shop listings. I was a contributing writer at Designlines, a publication focused on design in Toronto. I interviewed local designers and wrote profiles on their studios including: Thout, Tristan Zimmerman and Evan Bare. My work included writing product descriptions and updating shop listings.

Design Research Associate

• Jan 2008 - Aug 2008

Following the DesignWorks Business Design model we developed products and experiences that focused on user needs. Our team did extensive user research including interviews, field observations, experience mapping, user journals and empathy exercises to better understand the user and their needs. This data was used to develop patterns of user insight from which personas, storyboards, concepts, and solutions were developed and tested. We presented stages of the project and the final strategy to our clients. I worked on two projects with DesignWorks as part of a practicum and then a fellowship. I designed many of the assets, maps and models that we presented. The clients are confidential.

Graphic Designer

• Jan 2006 - Mar 2008

Infrastructure Ontario is a provincial agency responsible for financing and procuring major building projects. I worked with them to develop a visual identity including, logo, letterhead, signage and business cards. I then went on to work with the Ontario Growth Secretariat, the agency responsible for urban planning, to design print materials that highlighted their initiatives and progress. Infrastructure Ontario is a provincial agency responsible for financing and procuring major building projects. I worked with them to develop a visual identity including, logo, letterhead, signage and business cards. I then went on to work with the Ontario Growth Secretariat, the agency responsible for urban planning, to design print materials that highlighted their initiatives and progress.

Freelance Design and Communications Assistant

• Jul 2005 - Apr 2007

Citizen's Environment Watch was a not-for-profit agency that advocated for environmental monitoring and awareness through community engagement. They developed a number of programs for schools and volunteers to actively monitor the ecosystems in their communities. My role was to design program logos, print promotional materials, educational booklets and campaign posters that highlighted their efforts and connected to their audience. Citizen's Environment Watch was a not-for-profit agency that advocated for environmental monitoring and awareness through community engagement. They developed a number of programs for schools and volunteers to actively monitor the ecosystems in their communities. My role was to design program logos, print promotional materials, educational booklets and campaign posters that highlighted their efforts and connected to their audience.

Graphic and Web Designer

• Apr 2003 - Apr 2005

Wits AIDS Research Institute was a new organization set up to promote and coordinate multi-disciplinary HIV/AIDS research at the university. My role was to brand the institute and design their collateral print materials. I worked closely with the manger of media and communications to develop the look, feel and structure of their website. I was also the designer for their quarterly publication that showcased work being done throughout the university and in the field. Wits AIDS Research Institute was a new organization set up to promote and coordinate multi-disciplinary HIV/AIDS research at the university. My role was to brand the institute and design their collateral print materials. I worked closely with the manger of media and communications to develop the look, feel and structure of their website. I was also the designer for their quarterly publication that showcased work being done throughout the university and in the field.

Graphic and Web Designer for Nonprofits

• Feb 2002 - Aug 2004

I designed logos, print materials and websites for numerous nonprofit organizations and university research groups in South Africa including:Princess Trust (website)Wealth from Waste (print)Southern Africa Regional Centre for HIV and AIDS Research Training (logo)The Corporate Strategy and Industrial Development Project (logo and website)Themba HIV Interactive Theatre Company (website)I used Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks to create these assets.

Web Designer and Communications Coordinator

• Aug 2002 - Mar 2003

Netcorps was a Canadian Government program that recruited recent graduates and paired them with NGOs in developing Countries. I was selected to work with Rural Development Services Network and help them with their website and communications. I designed and contributed to the network newsletters and other print materials. I liaised with affiliates regarding distribution and communication strategies for rural areas. I designed and maintained their website and provided software training for staff so they could maintain the site once I left.

Webmaster and Communications Assistant

• Oct 2001 - Aug 2002

I worked with the Manager of Strategic Communications to develop a new website for the centre. Together we reorganized the navigational structure and defined the parameters for the new site which was over 100 pages. I designed and maintained the site using HTML, Dreamweaver and Fireworks. I also designed their publication 'The Shift' and print promotional materials. I worked with the Manager of Strategic Communications to develop a new website for the centre. Together we reorganized the navigational structure and defined the parameters for the new site which was over 100 pages. I designed and maintained the site using HTML, Dreamweaver and Fireworks. I also designed their publication 'The Shift' and print promotional materials.

Research Assistant

• Dec 2001 - May 2002

I worked at the institute preparing grant applications for international research conferences. I assisted the coordination of events, speakers and logistics for the conferences. I also worked in ProCite to contribute to the centre library. I worked at the institute preparing grant applications for international research conferences. I assisted the coordination of events, speakers and logistics for the conferences. I also worked in ProCite to contribute to the centre library.