More About Me
I am especially interested in emerging technology and its impact on public well-being. Motivated by concerns regarding the gap in digital literacy, accessibility, affordability, and usability, I believe that it is possible to affect positive change through human-centred research and design practices. Understanding the human perspective and need is essential for impactful design and informed public policy initiatives.
I thrive in dynamic work environments and I am interested in pursuing a profession that continues to challenge me. My most engaging projects in my Master’s studies are those that bring together my love of research with creative design and problem solving.
How I Got Here
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Psychology 2000–2005
My prior degree in psychology has given me insight into human behaviour and perception, which I now apply to my user-centered designs and research practices. It also exposed me to ethnographic and statistical techniques of analysis and research.
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Visual Arts 2008–2012
Pursuing a fine arts degree improved my skills in visual art and design practices, including composition, colour theory, drawing, painting, and sculpture. It also enabled me to better understand aspects of psychology in practice, especially in regards to exhibition design.
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Gallery Co-Director & Curator 2014–2018
At 8eleven I was responsible for the consideration of the organization and presentation of visual art in a physical space, online, in print publications, and in the gallery’s archive. I worked closely with many artists, collaborating with them to materialize their ideas and perspectives. Managing the rebranding and redesign of 8eleven and its site is what got me more interested in UXD.
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Researcher 2016
My love of research took me to the ROM’s ornithology collection for a Toronto Arts Council funded project about the history and stories of trumpeter swans and pigeons.
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Global News Media Research 2017–present
As a research assistant, I am involved in a project focused on the documentation and visual analysis of coverage of the Syrian war, including obscured or disputed events of chemical weapons attacks and sieges. Using french, I contribute to the production of a multilingual global news database. Collecting and analyzing information excites me, and this project allows me to use these skills to help better understand the gaps in global media coverage in conflict areas. My work here specifically inspired me to return to do my Masters and has led me down the path of policy and social change.
UX Skills
- Agile methodologies
- Design thinking
- Information architecture
- Lean UX
- Prototyping
- Storyboarding
- Sketching
- Strategic thinking
- UI design
- Usability testing
- User research
- Visual communication
- Wireframing