About Alison
Alison graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City, in 2009. Starting her career in art direction in the fashion and advertising agency world, later transitioning into product design upon returning home to Toronto, Canada in 2015.
Alison is a passionate designer and people leader, that brings a caring nature and enthusiasm to the design process and her team. She’s a big believer in sweating the direction first, then the details and all things research and product strategy.
She is passionate about how user-centric design can impact how we understand, advocate and build products for everyone. She has a deep interest in human thinking, interaction and connection.
When not at work, you’ll find Alison doing activities in nature with her family, like camping and living on the lake in the warmer months, to downhill and cross country skiing in the winter months, she loves all things outdoors.
Reach me on Linkedin.
Product Design Values
Data-driven insights
Data illuminates our path. Understanding qualitative and quantitative data's role in the design process and user experience is essential. Research guides us towards exceptional user experiences and keeps us and our team connected to the problems users face.
Clear metrics of success
Defining success requires a clear path and a guiding north star. Well-defined success metrics help align expectations and align a team with business objectives. It's about setting a measurable course of intended outcomes.
Human Impact
Design revolves around humans. We create experiences that profoundly affect people's lives, prioritizing their needs, desires, and experiences. Our goal is to leave a meaningful mark on our users.
Always Come Back to “Why?”
Teams need a user-centric north star. Complex problems require the whole cross-functional team to constantly zoom out and rehash, “Wait, why are we doing this again?” to help guide decision making for all stakeholders. It’s a designers job to ensure the team is connected to the user problem.
Collaborative Design
Design thrives when we tap into our combined skills. Engage all stakeholders in conversations about strategy and direction, fostering alignment through meaningful dialogue.
Make it safe to take risks
Design involves testing ideas, failure is a valuable source of insights. I approach design like this to inspire experimentation and taking risks in a supportive and safe setting.
Balancing Business and User Needs
As designers we should effectively understand and deliver solutions that harmonize user and business needs, with the aim to exceed business goals.
Sweat the direction, then the details.
Start by zooming out to get a clear picture: grasp the problem, comprehend the product strategy, and understand user needs. With this solid foundation first, then dive into the the many details that contribute to a great product experience.
Brand Purpose
As designers, we champion customers' needs and our company's mission. Our role is to ensure that every design decision upholds the brand's purpose and commitment to customers.