Laurel Forbes
UI/UX & Product Designer
My name is Laurel Forbes. I am a digital designer living in Ontario, Canada with experience creating complete end to end digital solutions. I enjoy process of getting to know the unique prospective of users and solving problems by creating functional, valuable, enjoyable and accessible digital solutions.
20+
Over 20 years experience in corporate, higher education, and startup environments.
40+
Earned over 40 certifications from well known industry recognized organizations
3yr
Graduated with a 3 year Multimedia Design Diploma from Durham College in Ontario, Canada.
100%
Create and advocate for human centric design solutions that are accessible. Good accessibility benefits everyone.
Work Experience
Kyndryl
2022 - Present
Senior Lead UX Designer
- Lead and mentor other designers in UI practices and usability fundamentals.
- Participated as a member of the Kyndryl Accessibility Task Force helping to steer the overall implementation, delivery and accountability of digital accessibility throughout the organization.
- Consulted for the Brand team in the preliminary stages of colour selections for data visualization strategies.
- Design and strategically deploy user friendly communication SharePoint sites, guides, and onboarding materials to ease the learning process for end users.
- Conduct user tests including card sorting activities, A/B tests, and user interviews to drive data-driven design decisions.
- Conduct various types of user research including interviews, co-collaboration workshops, surveys, card sorting, tree testing, A/B tests, etc.
Designware
2020 - 2022
Senior Product Designer
- Designed user-centric interfaces for a web and mobile builder application.
- Created and maintained reusable components in the design system.
- Designed and create various marketing assets including Instagram posts and stories, responsive web designs, email campaigns, and highlight videos.
- Initiated design processes and design systems for enhanced work flows, continuity and consistent implementation.
- Collaborated with other team members to document and define the Designware brand and brand strategies for creative and development utilization.
- Actively participated and supported user research activities including user interviews, and A/B tests.
- Lead implementation of WCAG digital accessibility standards.
- Mentored and supported junior designers and co-ops.
WUSA / Feds
2015 - 2020
Web Specialist
- Created intuitive and responsive website designs through the process of user testing in various formats, wireframing, and prototypes.
- Produced a custom branded Drupal 7 theme, an extension of the Universities content management system (CMS).
- Lead the initiative for digital accessibility compliance for all web and online projects within my designated area while advocating for compliance in other areas within WUSA.
- Coached part-time students to effectively execute requested content updates on the website ensuring a high quality of standards is met and proper procedures were followed.
- Mediated correspondences between the marketing creatives and the technical developers in the IT department in both verbal and written forums.Present initiatives to the Executive Team backed by research and data-driven analytics.
BlackBerry
2007 - 2015
Web Based Training Developer
- Developed and implemented HTML/CSS modules for multi-language use on various browser platforms and displays.
- Implemented solutions for bug fixes on existing Web Training materials.
- Developed learning modules based on the Instructional Designers storyboards and requirements with accuracy.
- Design, develop and publish web pages for the BlackBerry.com/support pages.
- Consistently met deadlines and requirements for all assigned projects.
- Managed creative projects from concept to completion while considering brand guidelines and styles.
- Trained junior members of the Multimedia Training team on company brand guidelines and troubleshooting Web Based Training materials.
Education
Durham College
Multimedia Design - 3 year Diploma
At Øliv, we believe in fostering genuine connections with our clients. We prioritize building trust by understanding their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Instead of resorting to pushy sales tactics, we focus on establishing long-term partnerships based on mutual trust and respect. By taking the time to listen, collaborate, and deliver exceptional solutions, we consistently exceed expectations and earn the trust of our clients.
Certifications
2025
Journey Mapping
IxDF | Mar 2025 | ID: 95764-2025-812268
Affordances: Designing Intuitive User Interfaces
IxDF | Feb 2025 | ID: 95764-2025-1134447
UX Design for Augmented Reality
IxDF | Feb 2025 | ID: 95764-2025-1134448
Interaction Design for Usability
IxDF | Jan 2025 | ID: 95764-2025-1091208
2024
Agile Methods for UX Design
IxDF | Nov 2024 | ID: 95764-2024-1085115
Mobile UI Design
IxDF | Aug 2024 | ID: 95764-2024-1080315
Accessibility: How to Design for All
IxDF | Aug 2024 | ID: 95764-2025-620817
Mobile UX Design: The Beginner's Guide
IxDF | Jul 2024 | ID: 95764-2024-1066662
Design for Thought and Emotion
IxDF | Jul 2024 | ID: 95764-2024-1066674
Visual Design: The Ultimate Guide
IxDF | Jul 2024 | ID: 95764-2024-1001246
AI for Designers
IxDF | Jun 2024 | ID: 95764-2025-1004207
Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide
IxDF | Apr 2024 | ID: 95764-2024-1001247
User Experience: The Beginner’s Guide
IxDF | Mar 2024 | ID: 95764-2025-1002154
2023
Foundations of Humane Technology
Center for Humane Technology | Dec 2023
Perception and Memory in HCI and UX
IxDF | Dec 2023 | ID: 95764-2023-964692
Design Thinking: The Beginner’s Guide
IxDF | Nov 2023 | ID: 95764-2023-527075
UI Design Patterns for Successful Software
IxDF | Jul 2023 | ID: 95764-2023-549965
Analyzing Complex Problems
IMD | Oct 2023 | ID: 1-107081-418965-1697569013
Building a Foundation of Equity
University of Virginia Dardan School of Business
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-106831-422109-1698327392
Communicating Inclusively
The Ivey Academy at Ivey Business School
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-92094-421685-1698263778
Communicating Persuasively & Building Trust
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-72004-420038-1697762704
Cultivating Collaborative Leadership Experience
UC Berkeley Executive Education
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-74834-416562-1697042719
Developing Equity Fluent Teams Experience
UC Berkeley Executive Education
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-74861-422352-1698338835
Embracing a Growth Mindset Experience
UC Berkeley Executive Education Oct 2023 | ID: 1-74807-412582-1696361519
Enhancing Interpersonal Dynamics Experience
UC Berkeley Executive Education
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-99722-414165-1696527282
Identifying Business Growth Opportunities
IMD | Oct 2023 | ID: 1-90608-419347-1697648238
Implementing Winning Strategies Experience
Columbia Business School
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-73545-420995-1698151493
Managing Stakeholders in Complex Projects Experience
UC Berkeley Executive Education
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-127380-420246-1697820176
Stress-Testing for Superior Decision-Making
Yale School of Management
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-89934-417355-1697127093
Simplifying Complex Decision-Making
Yale School of Management
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-89910-418532-1697473864
Strengthening Self-Advocacy Experience
UC Berkeley Executive Education
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-99585-411586-1695833384
Understanding Customer Needs
The Wharton School
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-96214-419541-1697727221
Achieving Peak Productivity
UC Berkeley Executive Education
Oct 2023 | ID: 1-99721-407117-1695147003
2021
Human-Computer Interaction - HCI
IxDF | Mar 2021 | ID: 95764-2021-513139
Information Visualization
IxDF | Feb 2021 | ID: 95764-2021-513137
Gestalt Psychology and Web Design: The Ultimate Guide
IxDF | Jan 2021 | ID: 95764-2021-512215