Resumé

Director of Design and UX, Ventures

Nov 2023 – Feb 2025
As the Head of Design at ATB Ventures, the innovation and edge strategy group within ATB Financial, I provided leadership, guidance, and strategic design direction for all stages of the lab’s operating model and for the active product portfolio. I defined functional operating plans, roadmaps, and career frameworks for design and worked with fellow business leaders to build a high-performing team that regularly exceeded expectations through the delivery of innovative product solutions. I believe that balance is key for teams to be successful and would actively promote a workplace environment that fostered growth, inclusivity, and joy.

• Key stakeholder in the successful launch of a 0-1 B2B/B2C portfolio of products and supported them through to acquisition.
• Led design and UX for a SMB cross-border payments solution that successfully expanded customer revenue opportunities while meeting and exceeding business goals and objectives. 
• Successfully achieved a 60% increase in overall cultural health index scores by improving team culture and psychological safety with effective management and context alignment.

Principal UX Design Manager, Ventures

Nov 2021 – Nov 2023
As the Principal Product Design Manager at ATB Ventures, I achieved execution excellence through the effective delivery of tactical UX/UI work that supported the lab’s primary OKRs. I also led external marketing and branding teams to ensure ATB Ventures and our products were accurately represented while ensuring delivery with quality, speed and purpose. I modernized and streamlined the lab’s product delivery with the development and implementation of an accessible, open-source design system and worked collaboratively with fellow team leaders and SLT to build a team culture that fostered safety and inclusion.

• Implemented generative AI resources into design operations to improve the delivery speed and quality of UX outputs such as personas, user journeys, and usability testing plans.
• Used effective team leadership and communication skills to achieve a 150% increase in team member feedback and recognition participation and revitalized the Ventures’ team growth strategy.
• Established and managed an open-source design system that included product themes and user interface design kits for rapid ideation, wireframes, and prototyping.

Art/Creative Director

Feb 2012 – Nov 2021
For nearly a decade, I led the creative for small and large-scale B2B/B2C marketing campaigns and digital product solutions for EH clients. Leading teams of designers and copywriters, I facilitated Rapid Design Labs and workshops, led design critiques, created countless storyboards and design systems, and supported new business planning and agency pitches. I gained knowledge and experience shipping across a variety of customer touch-points including enterprise-level software, social media, OOH, POS, and mobile platforms. Most importantly, I was able to grow and refine my leadership style in an agile environment, recognizing the importance of having a “people over product” mentality and set a strong foundation for myself that now supports me on my journey towards becoming a design executive.

Some clients I had the privilege of working with included Glassdoor, Alterra Mountain Co., Husky Energy, Village Brewery, Enmax, Shaw, ATCO, and the University of Calgary.

• Managed an ongoing portfolio of 4-6 primary clients and actively supported new business acquisition through RFP and agency representation.
• Creative Director on a first-to-market digital payment solution for a major fuel retailer that successfully boosted annual ancillary sales.
• Led the design for an international e-commerce product launch that successfully generated over $1M in sales.

Freelance Photographer

Feb 2011 – Feb 2012
During my nearly 5 years at iStock, where I met some incredibly talented photographers from around the world, I began a hobby in photography that grew into a passion. In February 2011, I decided to step away from design and focused my talents towards being a professional photographer – a humbling experience – but one that afforded me the opportunity to establish myself as a leading shooter in Calgary, Alberta.

At my peak, I was the head photographer for Alberta Fashion Week and regularly created portraits of CEOs, athletes, and local professionals. But where my talents shone brightest were in sports photography, where I was fortunate enough to document high-performing athletes in the NHL and at other major events such as the FIS World Cup and in the CPPL (Canadian Professional Paintball League).

Senior Designer

Sep 2006 – Feb 2011
As a senior designer at iStock, I got to be a part of its transition from a small company into the global brand that exists today. Through the regular delivery of feature enhancements and new product offerings, I was able to support the business as it rapidly scaled up in order to accommodate an increasing volume of international customers. I excelled at delivering external marketing materials for print advertising, assets for conferences and events, and launching microsites for their international contributor engagement events called iStockalypses.

Fun fact: I was the voice of iStock Audio and also designed one of the first iterations of the search experience following the Getty acquisition.

New Media Designer

Aug 2004 – May 2006
The onset of my design career, I started at ClickSpace by growing my HTML and CSS coding skills by designing and building websites for local bars and restaurants. Regularly implementing proprietary marketing software tools that allowed those businesses to better connect with their online customers, our solutions added rich new features and animation that grew my knowledge and skill sets in web design – skills that became paramount in my ability to adapt to an ever-changing career that relies so heavily on technology.

📷 Tim Nguyen