UI & UX Designer, Illustrator, Mentor & Leader
I am a game developer with over 10 years of experience in the games industry, spanning across AAA titles, independent games, mobile titles and comics.
Currently I am the Principal UX Designer at absurd:joy on a remote collaboration tool called Tangle!
I am mentor and advocate for BIPOC developers to push for an inclusive and healthy game industry. I am a strong believer in leading with authenticity and positivity. Supporting others and helping them succeed are what drive me through this industry.
I have three cats, whom are part of my work day whether it is asked for or not. I love to be active, explore new places, discover new board games and read spooky stories.
UX Consulting
I provide consulting services for small game development teams looking to improve the usability and experience of their projects. I can provide analysis on the current state of your game, provide solutions for design pain points and offer guidance in developing a UX and UI pipeline that suits your project's needs. If you're interested in learning more or for my rates, please e-mail at neomonki@gmail.com
Ubisoft Toronto NEXT
In 2019, I established the User Interface category of Toronto Ubisoft's yearly NEXT challenge which is designed to grant a paid apprenticeship with one of our major disciplines. Participants must follow a game design brief to provide a UI Design involving menu and HUD features, tackling specific challenges. Selected participants also receive a feedback session throughout the process.
This challenge has become a popular exercise for students and those wanting to practice their skills. Feel free to contact me for previous year briefs if you'd like a reference.
Information for 2022's UI Art Challenge will be posted in late 2021.
Talks
UI Art/Design - A Primer on how Graphic Design can lead to a career in UI in Games | Various Schools (2021)
Debunking Myths and Misconceptions Around UI in Game Development | EGLX (2018), Sheridan College (2019)
Your Art Sucks: How to Gracefully Manage Criticism | Art-Up! Winter (2016)
Press
UI Art Makes Games for Everyone | Ubisoft Toronto (2020)
Community
I like to focus on topics around demystifying the UX/UI process within game development for students and those entering the industry. If you'd like get in touch about a speaking engagement, please e-mail me at neomonki@gmail.com.