About Me

Design-related

How did I get into design?

I took a human factors engineering course in second year of University.

I learned about Norman doors. My mind was blown away. You mean the doors that annoy me to no end have names? You get paid to remove these irritants? Sign me up!

What's my design process?

Short answer: It depends!

Longer answer: More often than not, I start by understanding the goal, performing any research to fill gaps, then start designing. What the problem is, who and what I’m designing for, if there’s research present - the list goes on and on.

What are my values?

I like simple designs. Why do more when less do trick?
Everyone is a designer! All feedback and ideas are welcomed, but use data to inform decisions.
Last but not least - be kind and be excellent to each other

Life-related

What are your passions?

Food. I love all things food-related. I love eating, I like cooking, and enjoy reading about food, watching food shows, etc.

Another one I'm passionate about is mentorship. I'm currently mentoring through ADPList as well as speaking at volunteering events as much as I can. I'm currently focusing my time on two mentors, to help them learn more about UX and help them find employment in the market.

Do you have any pets?

I don’t - technically. I have family cats and friend cats. I will gladly show you more pictures as required 🙂

What do you mean, serial hobbyist?

I don’t - technically. I have family cats and friend cats. I will gladly show you more pictures as required 🙂

What could possibly make me want to add a party time button to my professional portfolio?

I'm generally a fun guy

Food-related

I have one criteria: flavour per cost. In this section, I’ve divided up the list into three categories:

Premium: place you’d take your date to for special occasions.
Great value: places you can go without feeling like you’re breaking the bank
Best flavour-per-dollar: affordable AND delicious.

Premium

Donna's: My personal top restaurant. They are so inventive with their flavours and ingredients. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
Quetzal: My first Michelins star! I was wowed from service to food. Their black cod dish is possibly my favourite seafood dish... ever.
Dailo: I personally don't like fusion food (looking at you, Alma) but Dailo blew it out of the park. I left feeling full and delighted, with plenty of leftovers after the tasting menu.

Great value

Mattachioni: Good italian food without breaking the bank. I like their pizzas.
Famaglia Baldassare: I like their pasta but I personally wouldn't go back. I waited 1.5hrs in line, totally not worth it.
Dil Se: Finger-lickin' Indian food. Agreed by friends / coworkers who are Indians. Their chicken kamasutra is amazing.
Shanghai Korean Chinese Restaurant: My personal favourite for Korean-Chinese food. Brings back memories of childhood. Tangsuyuk and kan jajjang is the way to go.

Best flavour-per-dollar

Tacqueria el pastorcito: Best tacos in town, hands-down. They have tacos de lengua, which I haven't seen in many places. Horchata is also amazing.
Tagpuan: Never had alot of Filipino food, but this place just mesmerized my taste buds. I get the sisig and garlic rice. I hear other items are good as well.
Gram's Pizzaria: Local NY-ish style pizza. Rotating specials, but their "Spicy One" with pepeproncini relish is a killer.
Machino donuts: Vegan donuts, but you wouldn't notice it at all. Their chocolate donuts are chocolatey beyond imagining.