Hola! My name is Michael and I'm from Brooklyn, NY. I specialize in Design Leadership and Management, Design Strategy, Process, and Operations, Inclusive Design and Accessibility, and Design Systems.
How I Got Started
Human-Computer Interaction & Natural Language Processing
I have a Bachelor of Science in Human-Computer Interaction From the CUNY Graduate Center where I studied Computer Science, Psychology, and Design. The focus of my studies and thesis was creating accessible technology by leveraging Natural Language Processing.
Frontend Development & Visual Design
After taking a JavaScript class in high school (where I learned zero JS), I fell in love with building products using technology (at the time, building websites by writing code). After teaching myself Frontend Development, I landed my first job as a Frontend Developer at a tech company. After focusing on my true love for design, I then transitioned to a User Interface Design role and focused on Visual Design. Both of these experiences were core to my current Design practice.
Entreprenuership & Community
In 2016, I founded a small web design and development agency focusing on supporting creative initiatives led by women and people of color. In 2019, I founded UX Come Up, a community for UX Design beginners. In 2021, I founded Inclusive Design Lab, an educational community teaching Inclusive Design and other Tech & Design leadership topics.
These initiatives have led me to Rita Group, a collection of initiatives supporting creatives via tech.Our mission is to design and realize an efficient, inclusive, and sustainable future human experience by leveraging technology, digital, creativity, design and diverse voices. More literally, Rita Group is a holding company representing three core initiatives: 1. Rita Lab: a tech/creative community for beginners, our benefit corporation, 2. Rita ABC: a product to support tech career journeys, our startup, 3. Rita XYZ: a creative collective connecting small biz owners to technologists, our soon to be 501( c )( 3 ) nonprofit.
These experiences have taught me not only about business and problem-solving, but also about leadership, marketing, and community-building.
What Inspired/s Me
Mismatches for Immigrant Parents
Growing up, I spent a lot of time helping my parents navigate digital spaces, mainly due to language barriers. Specifically, city products and services that were necessary to use for things like signing my siblings and I up for school amongst other reasons. These experiences planted seeds in me that would later blossom into a passion: creating more accessible products and services that are available to all.
Creative Problem Solving
Before I call myself a designer, technologist, or strategist, I consider myself a creative. I've always been passionate about leveraging creativity to solve real problems. This is a mindset that I carry with me to this day. And, yes, you can be both data-driven and creative!
Brooklyn
Shoutout to the Borough that raised me: Brooklyn. From its diversity to its creativity to its toughness, as grandiose as it may seem, Brooklyn molded me into the person I am today. As a result, I'm spreading love, the Brooklyn way, every day. Who’s your favorite BK MC?
What I Care About
Design Leadership & Education
To me, design leadership means focusing on Design Strategy, Design Process, Design Operations, and shaping the next generation of Design leaders. My background in business and entrepreneurship, as well as my experience managing teams and projects, has helped inform my Design Strategy, Process, and Operations expertise. Additionally, my experience teaching Design and Tech has helped me become a Design and Tech educator and mentor.
Inclusive Design & Mission-Driven Work
Designing for diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the core of what I do. I believe the best way to design innovative products is by practicing Inclusive Design and prioritizing Accessibility. I'm incredibly passionate about building innovative products by leading teams that implement Inclusive Design practices and processes at scale. I’m also passionate about using this mindset and practices to do mission-driven work.
Design Systems & High Quality Design
I'm also incredibly passionate about systems thinking. To me, a user experience and product is not a collection of isolated experiences, but rather a holistic experience made of interconnected components and features. I believe this thinking is the best way to build products that continuously provide value to users and scale to the needs of users over time. I also believe this is the best way to produce high quality design. HiFi Visual Design doesn’t happen by putting random pieces together, it happens by the intentional input that leads to thoughtful output.
My Career & Professional Journey
JavaScript Class in High School
HSTAT
Studied Computer Science
Initial College Major
Practiced Frontend/UI Development
First Tech Job
Studied Human-Computer Interaction
New College Major
Studied Natural Language Processing & Accessible Tech
Major Specialization & Thesis
Pivoted to Visual / UI / UX Design
Career Change
Joined Design Systems Team
First Design Job
Focused on Strategy, Systems, and Process
Focus of Multiple Jobs
Became Design Educator at Bootcamps
Taught at General Assembly & CareerFoundry
Led & Managed Multiple Teams
Focus of Multiple Jobs
Started Teaching at CUNY
Taught several classes including Design, UX, AR, & AI
Director of Design
Latest Role @ Heady