My journey so far
For the last decade I've consistently built great products and high performing teams. I've been privileged to work at some truly exciting companies and alongside seriously talented colleagues. Through it all I strived to learn as much as possible, applying myself wholeheartedly to their success.
2019 – 2022
Director > Senior Director
Wealthsimple
I led the Product Design, User Research, and Content Design teams across all our products (Invest, Trade, Crypto, Cash, and Tax), across all platforms.
In three years we grew the team from 5 to 50, while simultaneously building all the operations of a healthy design org from scratch. We shipped 3 new products, endless new features, and a new design system. We did it all with a deep passion for our customers and an eagerness to help grow the business.
I reported to the CPO and was a strong advocate for UX principles, human-centered design processes, and an up-to-date, nuanced understanding of our customers. I learned so much from my time on the senior leadership team, working with VP's from Product, Engineering, and Data. It was a privilege to get to be a part of so many early stage discussions and decisions that helped to improve the trajectory of one of Canada's most exciting companies.
2013 – 2019
Sr Designer > Sr UX Manager
Shopify
I joined Shopify as part of the Jet Cooper acquisition in 2013.
Initially, I was focussed on user onboarding for the core Shopify app. Part of the product growth team, our aim was to help new merchants get set-up effectively, as well as improving the overall customer acquisition funnel. We built the team to be multi-disciplined, agile, and data informed. We shipped experiments on a regular cadence, learning as much as possible, as fast as possible.
After a year on the Onboarding team, I switched teams to apply my skills and learnings further up the funnel on shopify.com. Working on shopify.com was a really interesting challenge as it's a melting pot for all things Brand, Product, Growth & Comms. In 2016 I was promoted to Design Lead of the Shopify.com team.
In my most senior role at Shopify, I lead a multi-discipline UX Org of Designers, Developers, and Content Strategists (~40 people) working on branding, building, and growing Shopify. For much of my time in this role, I was effectively the "head of UX" for Shopify's marketing org and reported directly to the CMO as part of their senior leadership team.
2012 – 2013
Designer
Jet Cooper
Jet Cooper was a renowned user experience agency in Toronto that was acquired by Shopify in 2013.
We worked with some of Canada's most inspiring startups and brands, refining their product and ecommerce user experiences to award winning levels. I was fortunate to get to work with some truly talented colleagues that helped me to grow and evolve as a designer at a rapid pace. I was like a sponge soaking up as much as I could every day. My time at Jet Cooper felt like multiple years of university crammed into one intensive course. It helped me to take my self-taught skillset and level it up to the higher standard expected of Canada's leading agencies and companies.
Typically I worked as the sole UX Designer on a project, alongside a PM and Front-End Developer, tackling UX problems with clients across industries such as entertainment, gaming, media, and more. I worked with some of Canada's biggest companies and some of the smallest. I enjoyed every project and learned so much that I still lean on today.
2010 – 2012
Designer
Freelance Designer
My first forays into the world of professional design were under the pseudonym "Digital Media Enthusiast". I really don’t know why, but I guess I thought it sounded legitimate back then. Ha!
Towards the end of 2011 I decided to take my career to the next level and commit to running my own business full time. As I matured as a designer and entrepreneur, so did my brand, and I transitioned into "James Wood Design".
I worked hard, often well into the night, teaching myself the new skills needed for bigger and bigger projects. I was really proud of the work I was able to produce, despite being self taught and having only a small network of colleagues in the field. During this time I was fortunate enough to have two great mentors to collaborate often with on projects. They helped to refine my design ideas and helped me to navigate relationships with clients. It was during this time that I really discovered my true potential was in product design and user experience.