2022🎨 Hi there!
Javi here.
As a designer, I’m inquisitive, thoughtful, and collaborative.
My mission is to merge data, users’ needs, and business strategy to ultimately create delightful experiences and build successful digital products.
I enjoy studying the ever-evolving needs of our users and relish in the iterative design process— from leading in-depth user research and testing, to ideating solutions via wireframing and prototyping.
Design allows me to connect with people and to advocate for them. I consider myself fortunate to be a designer, as it is an extension of my calling to make a positive impact in people’s lives.
🫀 A bit more…
My entire life has been intertwined with design.
From an early age I remember spending hours on the throne 🚽 doodling my butt off.
I also remember finding refuge in art as a means of communicating with the world soon after immigrating to the United States.
And then immersing myself in graffiti to escape the rough neighborhood in which I grew up in East Oakland.
When I enlisted in the U.S. Marines, I was often asked to design murals, unit logos, and tattoos for my fellow Marines and Sailors.
Fast-forwarding to four years ago, I ended up in New York City graduating with a formal education in visual arts.
While in NYC, my work became a lot more intentional, more culturally relevant, and took on a social justice approach.
While I enjoy creating work with digital tools, my absolute favorite medium is sculpture.
Always down to connect and happy to collaborate!
🧠 When not designing…
When I’m not creating, I’m taking impromptu trips to nature, mentoring youth from underrepresented communities, and researching playful methods of teaching everything and anything to Isabella & Valentina, my now three & one-year old nieces.
Aside from encouraging lil’ Isabella & Valentina to scribble away and express themselves on my whiteboard walls, my latest accomplishment has been to instill in them a habit of being mindful about exploring the world that surrounds them— from admiring the vastness of the sky and listening to the chirping of birds, to the most miniscule of things like feeling the texture of grains of sand and occasionally waving at the neighbor’s cat strutting into my backyard.
📁 In my past life…
Prior to becoming a product designer I worked on Wall Street as an investment banker where I provided M&A and IPO financial advisory to tech companies.
Before that, I was a General Manager at H&R Block where I increased profits by +33% by applying user-centric service design principles.
And finally, I had the honor of starting my professional career in the U.S. Marines, where I managed global operational security programs alongside the U.S. Department of State.