About Me
Like many others in our industry, Michael’s journey into digital product design came about in an unconventional way. After his studies in psychology, he travelled the world for 16 years as a flight attendant. Looking back, he feels so lucky to have had that experience. He was able to gain a deeper understanding of people and their cultures; insights that could never have been learned in a psychology textbook. Only acquired through empathy, lived experience and by immersing himself in the culture, and places they call home.
Over time, Michael felt a growing desire to channel his creativity, having been deeply involved with swim teams, lifeguarding, and swim instruction throughout his youth. This led him to launch an eCommerce swimwear brand.
He learned rather quickly that if you build it, they will not come, which lit a fire in him and solidified his path to success. His passion, consistency, and unwavering dedication drove him to learn everything from UX & web design, building WordPress websites, exceptional customer experience, digital/social media marketing, SEO, photography, videography, editing, graphic design, fabric pattern making, and much-MUCH-more.
When Covid erupted, Michael’s jobs in both travel and his swimwear business evaporated overnight as the world hunkered down. This sudden disruption in his life made him realize that his extensive toolkit had uniquely prepared him for this adversity. He seized this opportunity amid the crisis by taking on freelance work as companies rushed to establish an online presence.
When Google offered their UX foundations course, he thought that taking the course would help him refine and add to his toolkit. In the end, it made him an even better designer. And that is why he continues to take courses in accessibility and strategy.
Michael has genuinely found his professional purpose in UX design, evidenced by the impactful digital experiences he’s created. Moreover, he eagerly welcomes opportunities to guide and mentor other designers, empowering them to make their mark on this rewarding field.
Certificates
SAFe for Teams (6.0)
Scaled Agile
Activating Strategy
IDEO University
Impactful Presentations
IDEO University
Designing Strategy
IDEO University
Device-Independent User Input Methods
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Custom JavaScript/ARIA Widgets
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- ARIA and JavaScript
- Keyboard and Focus Management
- Accessible Names and Descriptions
Web Accessibility Testing: Screen Readers
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Web Accessibility Testing: Basic Methods and Tools
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Testing Techniques and Methodologies
- Best Practices Guide
- Use Case Testing
iOS Accessibility Features
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Understand Voiceover on iOS
- Physical and Motor Features
- Testing iOS Accessibility Features
Android Accessibility Features
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Understand TalkBack on Android
- Physical and Motor Features
- Testing Android Accessibility Features
Form Labels, Instructions, and Validation
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Visibility and Proximity of Labels
- Instructions and Required Fields
- Dynamic Forms and Custom Widgets
Multimedia, Animations, and Motion
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Timed Media Accessibility
- Captions and Transcripts
- Media Player Accessibility
Responsive Design and Zoom
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Images, SVG, and Canvas
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Image Alt Text
- Decorative or Redundant Images
- Understand SVG and Canvases
Visual Design and Colors
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
WCAG Conformance Testing, Detailed Methodology
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Detailed WCAG Testing Methodology
- Interpretation of WCAG
- Practical Testing Applications
Mobile App Accessibility Fundamentals
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Technical Introduction
- Testing Strategies
- Mobile Design Content Structure
Semantic Structure and Navigation
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Designing an Accessible User Experience
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Creating Inclusive Designs
- Designing for Cognitive Disabilities
- Embracing Diversity
Accessibility Fundamentals - Disabilities, Guidelines, and Laws
Deque University (Web Accessibility)
Some Key Skills:
- Accessibility Skills and Competencies
- Accessibility Laws
- Accessibility Guidelines
Accessibility: How to Design for All
Interaction Design Foundation
Some Key Skills:
- Designing for Disabilities
- Incorporating Accessibility
- Accessibility Standards
Conducting Usability Testing
Interaction Design Foundation
Some Key Skills:
- Configure a Usability Test
- Build a Usability Test Plan
- Reporting on Usability Test Observations
UX Management: Strategy and Tactics
Interaction Design Foundation
Some Key Skills:
- Hiring and Empowering a UX Team
- Understanding ROI
- Educating Senior Management
Human-Computer Interaction - HCI
Interaction Design Foundation
Some Key Skills:
- Understand the Impact of HCI on UX
- Applying HCI Guidelines
- Understand User-Machine Interactions
UI Design Patterns for Successful Software
Interaction Design Foundation
Some Key Skills:
- Organize Content
- Ensure Minimal User Effort
- Choosing UI Design Patterns
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
Some Key Skills:
- Design Thinking
- Generating Solution Ideas
- Building a Professional Portfolio
Design a User Experience for Social Good and Prepare for Jobs
Some Key Skills:
- Usability Testing
- Create Wireframes and Prototypes
- UX Jobs vs. Freelance Work
Responsive Web Design in Adobe XD
Create High-Fidelity Designs and Prototypes in Figma
Some Key Skills:
- Mockups & High-Fidelity Prototypes
- Organize, Standardize & Enhance Designs
- Design Critique Sessions
Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
Some Key Skills:
- Plan a UX Research Study
- Conduct Moderated & Unmoderated Tests
- Create Affinity Diagrams
Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
Some Key Skills:
- Understand Design Fidelity
- Apply Principles of Info. Architecture (IA)
- Create Wireframes and Prototypes
Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate
Some Key Skills:
- Create Empathy Maps, Personas
- Generate Ideas for Possible Solutions
- Conduct Competitive Audits
Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
Key Skills:
- Understand Foundational Concepts
- Identify Factors that Contribute to Great UX
- Create User Stories, & User Journey Maps
A jack of all trades is a master of none, but almost always better than a master of one!
