Matthew Ernst, Designer in Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Matthew Ernst

Verified Expert  in Design

Designer

Location
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Toptal Member Since
September 15, 2017

An accomplished UX and product designer with a unique balance of creative, technical, and research expertise. Working with the biggest brands in the world, such as the NFL, Disney, Fox, and Sony, Matt approaches every challenge with objectivity, intensity, and an analytical process. Versed in all aspects of product design from requirements gathering, research, UX/UI, branding, development, and a range of form factors: iOS, Android, web, and TV.

PrototypingInterface DesignUI DesignUX DesignProduct DesignResponsive Web Design (RWD)User FlowsInformation Architecture (IA)UX ResearchAdobe CCBrandingVisual DesignInVisionSketchProduct Researchers

Portfolio

Work Experience

Director of User Experience

2016 - PRESENT
You.i TV
  • Conducted discovery workshops with a range of high profile clients to fully understand product requirements, feature prioritization, UX challenges, and the product vision.
  • Provided all the product design vision, direction, and oversight for client projects and internal initiatives.
  • Managed a team of 18 designers: conducting project resourcing, team growth and development, and hiring.
  • Championed design thinking within the UX team and the company: facilitating design sprints and brainstorming workshops to enable various teams to quickly solve complex problems.
Technologies: Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Android, tvOS, iOS, PlayStation, Roku, Xbox, Sketch, Adobe CC

Lead Interaction Designer

2014 - 2016
You.i TV
  • Worked with a range of customers from Sony, NBA, Adobe, Fox and Turner Broadcasting to turn requirements and vision into successful products.
  • Led the product design and effectively communicated the technical and design requirements on nine projects through wireframes, app flows, storyboards, UI kits, and prototypes.
  • Worked autonomously and within a multidisciplinary team environment following Scrum or Kanban development frameworks.
  • Organized and led design brainstorms, critiques, and UX reviews during all stages of a project from initial conceptualization to project launch.
  • Planned and implemented over 30 ethnographic research activities such as interviews, surveys, usability testing, and heuristic evaluations.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to produce cross-platform applications for customers using the You.i platform.
Technologies: Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Android, tvOS, iOS, PlayStation, Roku, Xbox, Sketch, Adobe CC

Researcher

2013 - 2014
Carleton University (CIL)
  • Successfully designed, built, and tested a reusable silicone prototype phone with embedded bend sensors and audio output for use during testing.
  • Conducted over 60 usability tests across three research studies with blind users.
  • Published three academic papers in CHI ‘16 and IEEE.
Technologies: Bend Sensors, Arduino

Senior Interactive and User Experience Designer

2012 - 2014
Stitch Media
  • Led projects from concept to launch.
  • Oversaw all aspects of the user experience from research, design, document creation, testing, and development implementation.
Technologies: PHP, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Adobe CC

Senior Interactive Designer

2010 - 2012
bv02
  • Provided creative and user experience direction on all projects, including websites, mobile applications, social campaigns, and new media.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite

Creative Partner | Founder

2006 - 2011
Shift Communications
  • Provided effective communication solutions for both small and mid-sized businesses: offering a range of print and website solutions.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite

Graphic | Web Designer | Animator | Front-End Developer

2007 - 2009
Absolute North | Optio Publishing Inc.
  • Provided enthusiastic and inspired creative and production services that met the objectives and needs of the clients.
Technologies: Flash, CSS, JavaScript, HTML, Adobe Creative Suite
2012 - 2015

Master's Degree in Human Computer Interaction

Carleton University - Ottawa, Canada

2001 - 2006

Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Graphic Design

NSCAD University - Halifax, Canada

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