Thrills and Calculated Risks: My Rollercoaster Journey from the Unknown to UX Marvels
Picture this: I kickstarted my career shenanigans at a ripe age of 19, armed with a 3D Animation certificate and a penchant for crafting CGI homes. Yeah, I know what you're thinking – "Kid, what were you even doing at 19?" Well, after sprinkling some lighting magic and optimizing renders for an IMAX blockbuster called 'Dinosaurs: Giant of Patagonia' (IMDB verified, folks!), my debut studio decided to do a financial disappearing act. Cue my temporary stint with Bell Canada – because, you know, family history and all that jazz.
What was supposed to be a pit stop turned into a wild rollercoaster of opportunities. Fueled by an unhealthy dose of motivation and efficiency, I upgraded my career status from Quality Assurance Coach to rocking a Business Administration and Management Certificate from UQAR University. Managing million-dollar projects? Been there, done that. Oh, and did I mention that, somewhere in the chaos, I accidentally turned into a hybrid Business and UX Designer? I was basically the superhero of the corporate world, juggling project management, business problem-solving, and empathizing with users like a boss.
Now, here's where the plot thickens. Ever heard that having kids changes everything? Spoiler alert: It's true. Suddenly, my time got sliced and diced with each tiny human addition. No more endless work hours or romantic escapades – enter the era of Lego building, princess playdates, and school meetings. But you know what? It's like doing UX 24/7, making sure these little troublemakers are living their best lives. And as you're reading this, I am dealing with a third tiny tornado.
Then came the game-changer – my boss asked if I wanted to join the UX design party. At that point, I barely knew what UX was, but hey, I'm always up for a good challenge. Cue the reading spree on Medium, enrolling in courses from here to Timbuktu, mastering AxureRP (before it got swapped for Sketch and InVision), and soaking in all things design thinking. Mission: convince the team that UX was the real MVP in creating mind-blowing experiences. Picture a company stuck in the 'dark age of UX' (as dubbed by Jared Spool), and here I am, grooving my way through the transition. Collaborating with devs, making pals with PMs – before we knew it, the office was flooded with UX service requests. Can I get a virtual high-five?"
Now, fast forward to today. I stand at the intersection of being a seasoned UX designer with entrepreneurship skills. Over the years, I've evolved from a CGI wizard to a Quality Assurance Coach, dabbled in project management, and finally found my groove in the captivating world of UX design.
As the torchbearer of innovation, I've not only mastered the art of crafting seamless user experiences but also ventured into uncharted territories. In the past years, I've embraced the role of a mentor, nurturing talent and fostering creativity for 15 designers.
My journey extends beyond the corporate realm. With Bell as my canvas, I've painted strokes of brilliance across more than 200 projects, proving that UX isn't just a department—it's a game-changer.
But wait, there's more. In a daring leap, I co-founded Dlvvr, a same-day delivery business that transcends the ordinary. From conceptualizing the brand to developing the website, internal operations, and even crafting a B2B merchant order dashboard in Shopify, I've been the architect of the entire ecosystem.
Yet, I'm not one to rest on laurels. The thrill of pushing boundaries propels me forward. Every day is a quest for innovation, an opportunity to redefine what's possible. Whether it's revolutionizing UX or disrupting the delivery landscape, I thrive on the exhilarating dance between design and innovation.
So here I am, a designer, a mentor, an entrepreneur, a father —always seeking the next challenge, forever dedicated to crafting experiences that leave an indelible mark. The rollercoaster journey continues, and the best is yet to come. 🚀✨