Behind the Glowing Screen

Roots

Sports have always been my greatest teachers. You don’t necessarily realize it when you’re young, but looking back, you see how the field helps shapes the mind. It helped me learn the values of structure and strong leadership. It’s where I embraced the grind of repetition, the weight of performing under pressure, and the necessity of resilience. These aren’t just athletic traits; they became part of my blueprint for a career as a creative.

I grew up in an Italian immigrant home. There, I was taught that a connection to the land keeps you steady, that hard work is its own reward, and that humility is a virtue. Today, I find that same grounding in the quiet moments – introspection, gratitude, and the restorative power of solitude. I’ve come to believe that our physical spaces define our sense of beauty and order. At my core, I simply strive to be a servant leader and a good person every day.

Portrait Illustration

What a privilege to be tired from the work you once begged the universe for. What a privilege to feel overwhelmed by growth you used to dream about.

– Unknown

Running Up that Hill

My career has been defined by versatility. I’ve worn the hat of the artist, the architect, and the entrepreneur.

  • SaaS Production : During my time at Angus Systems, I transitioned from Marketing to the Development side leading UI/UX design. Our SaaS solution powered over 2 Billion sq. ft. of commercial real estate across multiple continents. The software was designed to streamline property management and enhance operational efficiency. It’s here that I learned the language of development and the importance of technical empathy – designing solutions that work in code, not just in concept.
  • The Entrepreneurial Hustle: As a solo entrepreneur, I learned the business of design. From building leads to writing contracts, I learned that a successful career as a creative is ultimately about understanding unique business problems, building relationships, setting goals as well as healthy boundaries.
  • The In-House Lead: Currently, as Creative Design Officer at HCDSB, I am an integral part of a Strategic Communications team managing the brand for the board and its 60 schools. This role is a constant juggling act of navigating PR nuances and balancing stakeholder needs across dozens of departments. My work serves a massive, diverse audience from Senior Leadership to over 36,000 students and their parents.

Heroes & Heels

It’s one thing to design beautiful things and another to craft them so they speak. I am a communicator. I’m fascinated by the mechanics of storytelling. From the timeless archetypes of Greek Mythology to the character depth of Mark Scout (Severance) and Ted Lasso (Ted Lasso), and even the campy heels of pro wrestling.

I see every user experience as an opportunity to evoke a specific feeling. My instinct as a storyteller is to look beyond the layout and focus on the atmosphere of the interaction. Whether the goal is to build trust, spark curiosity, or create a moment of joy, the design has to do more than just function – it has to resonate.

Sawdust & Syntax

I approach my work from the lesson I’ve learned as much from my garage wood shop as my design software, and that is: measure once, curse twice. Or maybe better said, planning is key in the creative process. Whether I’m building a responsive UI or a farm table, I’m obsessed with the joinery. From precise wood cuts to snappy Flexbox grids, I love the process of building something structural that works and lasts.

Toggling Out of Office

When I’m not designing, I’m busy being a dad to two amazing kids who teach me patience daily (and keep me humble). Otherwise, you’ll find me gardening in the backyard with my wife, roaming the aisles of Home Depot, curating my next playlist, or on the soccer pitch with the boys. Yes, I still play. The love for the game never dies and it keeps me feeling young… it just involves more heating pads and ice packs.

You don’t find out who the best teammates are when champagne is dripping off your ceiling. You find out who the best teammates are when the times are tough.

– Jack Edwards