Hello again, I'm Ryan!
Here is everything about me.
Hello Again, I'm Ryan!
Here is everything about me.
Product Designer with an interdisciplinary background in UI/UX design, architecture, and graphic design, crafting beautiful and meaningful digital experiences.
My background
Growing up in Mississauga, my mother enrolled me in art classes, nurturing my passion for the creative arts. Every weekend, I recreated objects and images through sketching, drawing, and painting. And although I enjoyed art, I fell in love with video games such as Minecraft and Roblox, sparking my interest in creating digital spaces.
At the University of Toronto, I pursued a degree in architecture, fascinated by the endless spatial possibilities of the built environment. However, I was dissatisfied with the subjective nature of architecture and sought to create designs that were logical and data-driven.
In the summer of 2023, I discovered a UX Design course at BrainStation. From this course, I found a new way to create delightful and accessible experiences outside of architecture by using the visual storytelling of product design instead. With my background in architecture and graphic design, I was able to quickly grasp product design and start creating meaningful digital experiences.
Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Information in UX Design at the University of Toronto. When I’m not looking at a screen, you can find me playing volleyball, lifting heavy weights at the gym, or exploring new restaurants in the city.
Behind me is the Inntel Hotel in a small city called Zaandam1 in the Netherlands.
A picture taken at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, France.
Experience
09/'24 - Present
Visual Designer
Innovation Hub, University of Toronto
06/'19 - Present
Graphic Designer
CCN Media Inc.
04/'24 - 08/'24
Architectural Designer
Hariri Pontarini Architects
10/’22 - 03/'23
09/'23 - 03/’24
Design Assistant (x2)
Infrastructure Planning, University of Toronto
05/’23 - 08/’23
Design Research Intern
Hariri Pontarini Architects
09/'22 - Present
Design Instructor
AALD
06/'22 - 09/'22
Marketing Assistant
MCETA
Currently
Listening
New Perspective
Noah Kahan
Playing
Teamfight Tactics
Riot Games
Watching
Severance
Thriller
Tool Stack
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Product Designer with an interdisciplinary background in UI/UX design, architecture, and graphic design, crafting beautiful and meaningful digital experiences.
My background
Growing up in Mississauga, my mother enrolled me in art classes, nurturing my passion for the creative arts. Every weekend, I recreated objects and images through sketching, drawing, and painting. And although I enjoyed art, I fell in love with video games such as Minecraft and Roblox, sparking my interest in creating digital spaces.
At the University of Toronto, I pursued a degree in architecture, fascinated by the endless spatial possibilities of the built environment. However, I was dissatisfied with the subjective nature of architecture and sought to create designs that were logical and data-driven.
In the summer of 2023, I discovered a UX Design course at BrainStation. From this course, I found a new way to create delightful and accessible experiences outside of architecture by using the visual storytelling of product design instead. With my background in architecture and graphic design, I was able to quickly grasp product design and start creating meaningful digital experiences.
Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Information in UX Design at the University of Toronto. When I’m not looking at a screen, you can find me playing volleyball, lifting heavy weights at the gym, or exploring new restaurants in the city.
Behind me is the Inntel Hotel in a small city called Zaandam in the Netherlands.
A picture taken at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, France.
Experience
09/'24 - Present
Visual Designer
Innovation Hub, University of Toronto
06/'19 - Present
Graphic Designer
CCN Media Inc.
04/'24 - 08/'24
Architectural Designer
Hariri Pontarini Architects
10/’22 - 03/'23
09/'23 - 03/’24
Design Assistant (x2)
Infrastructure Planning, University of Toronto
05/’23 - 08/’23
Design Research Intern
Hariri Pontarini Architects
09/'22 - Present
Design Instructor
AALD
06/'22 - 09/'22
Marketing Assistant
MCETA
Currently
Listening
New Perspective
Noah Kahan
Playing
Teamfight Tactics
Riot Games
Watching
Severance
Thriller
Tool Stack
Education
2024 - Present
Master of Information, UX Design
University of Toronto
2019 - 2023
Honours, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
University of Toronto
2023
Certificate in UX Design
BrainStation
A beautiful view of Barcelona, Spain at the Carmel Bunkers during sunset.
Honors and Awards
04/2024
Double Blue Award
University of Toronto
09/2023
John And Myrna Daniels Foundation Opportunity Award
University of Toronto
06/2023
Daniels Faculty Academic Merit Award
University of Toronto
08/2022
Ontario Association of Architects’ Scholarship Nominee
University of Toronto
08/2022
Peter W. and Linda D. Hamilton Award in Social Housing Nominee
University of Toronto
A picture taken at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, France.
Exploring other interests during the Summer.
Behind me is the Inntel Hotel in a small city called Zaandam in the Netherlands.
Where am I now?
I'm currently pursuing a Master of Architecture at the University of Toronto while working for the Office of Infrastructure Planning at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts & Science. At the office, I get to work on design projects that help make the University a more diverse, accessible, and friendly place.
Aside from working, I mentor undergraduate students studying architecture as a design instructor for the student organization called Applied Architecture Landscape and Design. There, I learned that I love interacting and meeting new people who are passionate about design.
Lining up for the famous Van Stapele Cookies in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Want to reach out?
Questions or feedback? Want to grab a cup of coffee? I'd love to hear from you!
You can find more about me on my - Linkedin
or reach out to me by email - ryanwong0119@gmail.com
More about me - with some photos from my recent trip to Europe.
A lovely street in Montmartre, Paris.
Catching up with UX.
Something I’ve learned is that I love talking with people and making their experience better through design. With a background in architecture, I was able to take advantage of my design skills to expedite my understanding of UX Design and start improving the the experience of people.
An interior view of the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo, Spain.
My hobbies,
When I'm not looking at a screen, you can find me spiking a volleyball, lifting weight that is way too heavy for me at the gym, or exploring the city for delicious restaurants.
A beautiful view of Barcelona, Spain at the Carmel Bunkers during sunset.
A picture taken at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, France.
Ryan Wong.
Hi, I'm Ryan.
Product Designer with a background in architecture and design.
More about me - with some photos from my recent trip to Europe.
After graduating from Architecture.
In June of 2023, I graduated from the University of Toronto. During my studies, I became incredibly interested in Gibson’s theory of affordances and the endless possibilities that the built environment could provide.
Though I had a passion for architectural design and the theory behind it, I was dissatisfied in the subjective nature of the practice. I wanted my designs to be logical and to be backed by reasoning and data.
A lovely street in Montmartre, Paris.
Exploring other interests during the Summer.
During the summer of 2023, I decided to explore other options when I stumbled upon a UX Design course at BrainStation. There, I was able to identify myself with UX as a better design process for both my professional and personal goals.
Behind me is the Inntel Hotel in a small city called Zaandam in the Netherlands.
Catching up with UX.
Something I’ve learned is that I love talking with people and making their experience better through design. With a background in architecture, I was able to take advantage of my design skills to expedite my understanding of UX Design and start improving the the experience of people.
An interior view of the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo, Spain.
Where am I now?
I'm currently pursuing a Master of Architecture at the University of Toronto while working for the Office of Infrastructure Planning at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts & Science. At the office, I get to work on design projects that help make the University a more diverse, accessible, and friendly place.
Aside from working, I mentor undergraduate students studying architecture as a design instructor for the student organization called Applied Architecture Landscape and Design. There, I learned that I love interacting and meeting new people who are passionate about design.
Lining up for the famous Van Stapele Cookies in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
My hobbies,
When I'm not looking at a screen, you can find me spiking a volleyball, lifting weight that is way too heavy for me at the gym, or exploring the city for delicious restaurants.
A beautiful view of the Barcelona, Spain at the Carmel Bunkers during sunset.
Want to reach out?
Questions or feedback? Want to grab a cup of coffee? I'd love to hear from you!
You can find more about me on my - Linkedin
or reach out to me by email - ryanwong0119@gmail.com
Experience
Hariri Pontarini Architects
Architectural Designer
Incoming 04/'24
Incoming Architectural Designer @ Hariri Pontarini Architects.
Infrastructure Planning, University of Toronto
Design Assistant
10/'22 - Present
Led design research regarding the Sidney Smith Hall Pride Display featuring 396 stars of woven paper from over 100 staff members.
Collaborated with Bird Safe UofT to create an Indigenous bird-friendly mural for Sidney Smith Hall, a community of 33,000 people.
Designed and revised drawings, diagrams, and graphics for the University of Toronto’s Office of Infrastructure Planning, over 120 buildings and 1,196,000 gross square metres of facilities.
CCN Media Inc.
Graphic Designer
06/'21 - Present
Designed graphics and marketing materials for the Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area’s 2024 2-Day Lunar New Year Festival attracting an estimated 250,000 visitors.
Produced and edited layouts, advertisements, typography, margins, logos, visuals, and photography for Today Commercial News and Chinese-Canadian businesses.
Hariri Pontarini Architects
Design Research Intern
05/'23 - 08/'23
Designed and produced a series of section drawings and diagrams for a 3 million square foot retail, office, and residential building (The Well).
Engaged in dialogue and research on deliverables for multiple projects grossing over 20 million sq ft. such as PJ Condos, 7 St. Thomas, Square One Masterplan, 19 Duncan, M City Condos, Artists’ Alley, and 401 Logan.
The Applied Architecture, Landscape and Design
Design Instructor / Guest Speaker
09/'22 - Present
Led workshops to instruct students in design and software skills, frequently utilizing Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite, and Grasshopper.
Presented my portfolio to educate and inspire students interested in applying to various Master of Architecture programs.
Offered professional advice and answers grounded in my architectural experience (accepted into top programs such as Columbia GSAPP) providing portfolio critiques and guidance on color theory, layout, typography, margins, graphical representation, and conceptual design.
Macao and Canada Economic and Trade Association
Marketing Assistant
06/'22 - 09/'22
Developed a communication strategy to discover 101 potential business prospects.
Recruited the Mississauga Chinese Business Association as a client and business partner.
Education
University of Toronto
Master of Information in UX Design
Incoming 09/'24 - Present
Awarded the Double Blue Award
University of Toronto
Master of Architecture
08/'23 - Present
Awarded the John and Myrna Daniels Foundation Opportunity Award
University of Toronto
Honours, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
09/'19 - 05/'23
Graduated with High Distinction, GPA 3.82/4.0
Certificate in Sustainability of the Built Environment (U of T Sustainability Scholar)
Design Stream Specialist
Commissioner of Health and Wellness for the Architecture and Visual Studies Student Union
Daniels Academic Merit Award
Ontario Association of Architects’ Scholarship Nominee
Peter W. and Linda D. Hamilton Award in Social Housing Nominee
Featured in Daniels BAAS Thesis 2023 Exhibition
Featured “Visibility Through Design” DIALOG Exhibition
Featured in Doors Open Toronto Exhibition
Featured in Daniels End of Year Show
Featured in American Institute of Architecture Students and Study Architecture for selected work in archisoup's portfolio kit
BrainStation
UX Design Certificate
06/'23- 08/'23
BrainStation University and College Scholarship