I'm Michael Emery, a product manager and designer based in Oakville, Ontario.
Results-driven product leader with over 20 years of experience in mobile and web product management. Known for strategic vision and creative problem-solving, with a proven track record of leading multi-platform projects and driving growth through innovative design solutions.
EXPERIENCE.
KINDERTALES
2014 - 2024
Head of Design
Product Management, Design and Strategy
As a founding team member, played a pivotal role in building Kindertales, an enterprise-class SaaS start-up for daycare management, serving the largest daycare providers in Canada and clients worldwide.
Highlights and Achievements
- Spearheaded growth with user-first design, market analysis, and strategic partnerships, resulting in:
- Serving over 40,000 children, tens of thousands of staff, and 80,000+ parents daily.
- Processing over $150 million USD annually in childcare payments
- Consistent month-over-month revenue growth.
- Developed company brand, naming, and visual identity, boosting market recognition.
Design and Product Management
- Directed mobile and web interface and experience design, achieving high user adoption and satisfaction.
- Established UI/UX and branding guidelines, ensuring a cohesive and engaging user experience.
- Conducted market research to refine the product roadmap, focusing on features that drove customer acquisition and retention.
- Managed agile development teams locally and internationally, ensuring high-quality, timely project delivery.
- Led daily scrum meetings, implementing process improvements to boost team efficiency and productivity.
- Used Google Analytics and WalkMe for data-driven design improvements, enhancing user experience.
PURE3 INTERACTIVE
2010 - 2014
Art Director
UI/UX Design, Project Leadership and Product Management
As Design Director at this start-up web marketing and application development agency, I led UI/UX design and product development, expanding my role to include project leadership and product management.
Design Direction and Product Design
- Directed UI/UX design for mobile/web apps, corporate identity, marketing, video production, and trade shows, boosting brand recognition and user engagement.
- Played a key role in developing successful custom software solutions, including point-of-sale systems and the original childcare management platform that evolved into Kindertales.
Product Management
- Oversaw local and international development teams in creating multi-platform mobile and web applications, leading to the successful launch of Kindertales as a standalone business.
- Established and implemented company-wide project management standards, ensuring successful project outcomes and client satisfaction.
SCRATCH MARKETING
2005 - 2010
Senior Designer
Web, Trade Show, Print and Branding
Scratch Marketing is a leading Toronto-based agency serving global brands.
- Delivered high-impact design solutions for major clients including Electrolux, Conair, and Frigidaire. Projects spanned web and print marketing, tradeshow launch materials, and corporate branding.
FREELANCE GRAPHIC & PRODUCT DESIGN
2002 - Present
Owner
Product Management, Design and Consulting
Leverage over 20 years of expertise in product management and design to deliver innovative, user-centered solutions for diverse clients, aligning with business goals and driving results.
Key Collector Comics
- Redesigned mobile and web applications, increasing user engagement by 20% and subscriber growth by 15%. Led rebranding and executed web and print marketing campaigns, enhancing brand recognition.
Dungeon Comics & Cards
- Developed a comprehensive e-commerce platform with high conversion rate. Improved TCG tournament processes with an online event calendar and ticketing system, increasing player engagement.
CGC Comics
- Manages ongoing strategic partnership with Key Collector Comics, driving new customer acquisition through collaborative campaigns.
EXPERTISE.
- Product Management
- Design Direction
- UI / UX Design
- Mobile Product Design
- Online Payment Systems
- Design Systems
- Prototyping
- Project Leadership
- Team Leadership
- Multi-Tasking
- Communication
- Business Intelligence Reporting
- Business Acumen
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Data-Driven Decisions
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Jira, Figma, Asana
- Microsoft Office, PowerBI
EDUCATION.
Introduction to Project Management
Project Management Program
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Interactive Multimedia (Postgraduate)
Web Design & Development
Sheridan College
Oakville, Ontario
Bachelor of Design
Graphic Design
Sheridan College
Oakville, Ontario
Art Fundamentals
Fine and Studio Art
Sheridan College
Oakville, Ontario
PERSONAL.
Other than how many selfies a day I take with our dogs here are some of the other things about me that you might find interesting.
ARTISTIC
Love for art and creativity is the driving force behind most things I do and enjoy in my professional and personal lives.
Whether it is creating, appreciating, critiquing, or collecting, a passion for art is constant in my life.
TECHY
I am an avid tech enthusiast. I've been building my own PCs since computers ran on DOS and ran games like Wolfenstein.
I also love discovering and tinkering with emerging technology like A.I. (please don't kill us all) and VR.
ANALYTICAL
As much as art has always been my passion, I am also an analytical thinker and spreadsheet lover.
My background includes web development experience. This helps me be aware of the challenges of someone having to build what I design.
COLLECTOR
Probably painfully obvious at this point but I wear my nerd flag loud and proud.
If it is covered in webs, has pointy ears or is swinging a laser sword there is a very good chance I'm a fan of it and collect it.
My wife is very patient.
CONTACT.
Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss a project or job opportunity.
Mobile: +1 905 334 6280
E-mail: mike@emerymedia.com
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