Ray Kanani

Love seeing the process and growth that people experience inside Career Strategy Lab 🎉 Advancing your career is so much more than just external stuff like redoing a resume or portfolio, reaching out to people on LinkedIn etc. Sidenote, SO much growth comes from within and that's when we see things really shift for people – they start getting more interviews, moving further along in the interview process, and finally get offers for roles they actually want! PS: Have questions about Career Strategy Lab (the UX career coaching program I run that's *not* a boot camp) ... then check out the post below or send me a DM here on LinkedIn.)

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Accessibility is more than just a checkbox, but an integral part of user-centric design. Next Friday at EvolveDrupal Summit Toronto, we're highlighting this with two sessions about integrating accessibility best practices into all aspects of the design process. Kate Kalcevich, Head of Accessibility Innovation Fable talks about the intersection of usability and accessibility and how best practices go beyond meeting accessibility guidelines. And you'll get insights into how to start planning for accessibility in design, with a panel discussion exploring challenges and opportunities. Hosted by Jay Wall RGD, creative director and professor at George Brown College School of Design. Hope you can join us at the event! Register at http://evolvedrupal.com #accessibility #UX #Toronto

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Did you know? The rapid advancement of AI is set to significantly disrupt and transform creative industries in the "near future" aka it is happening right now! As an award-winning filmmaker, dance artist, festival producer, and one of Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40, I am deeply intrigued by AI's potential to revolutionize the way we engage with and produce art. It is imperative that we take an active role in shaping the convergence of creativity and technology. This is why I am honored to be a Keynote speaker and host at Canada's inaugural AI 4 ART Summit on February 28, 2025. During this event, we will delve into the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead. How can we leverage AI to enhance creativity and self-expression? How should we adapt economic and copyright frameworks for the AI era? Most importantly, how can we ensure that AI amplifies the voices of all emerging and marginalized artists in the creative realm? These critical questions mark the onset of an era enriched by AI-infused creativity. I invite you to participate in the discussions at AI 4 ART to help shape the trajectory of what is being called 'The Second Renaissance' as seen on Dan Koe newsletter. #AI4ART #ArtandTech #CreativeFutures #DidYouKnow #Edmonton #Calgary Brought to you by falac.org

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Did you know? The rapid advancement of AI is set to significantly disrupt and transform creative industries in the "near future" aka it is happening right now! As an award-winning filmmaker, dance artist, festival producer, and one of Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40, I am deeply intrigued by AI's potential to revolutionize the way we engage with and produce art. It is imperative that we take an active role in shaping the convergence of creativity and technology. This is why I am honored to be a Keynote speaker and host at Canada's inaugural AI 4 ART Summit on February 28, 2025. During this event, we will delve into the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead. How can we leverage AI to enhance creativity and self-expression? How should we adapt economic and copyright frameworks for the AI era? Most importantly, how can we ensure that AI amplifies the voices of all emerging and marginalized artists in the creative realm? These critical questions mark the onset of an era enriched by AI-infused creativity. I invite you to participate in the discussions at AI 4 ART to help shape the trajectory of what is being called 'The Second Renaissance' as seen on Dan Koe newsletter. #AI4ART #ArtandTech #CreativeFutures #DidYouKnow #Edmonton #Calgary Brought to you by falac.org

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Sunday story time: 9 years ago, I was a fitness influencer making Shopify sites for our own (failed) clothing brands. I was waiting tables and juggling two degrees — one in mechanical engineering, the other in IT project management. I eventually earned both of them, but didn't really find much use for either. Back then, I was searching hard for a direction, bouncing between careers and hustles, hoping to land on something that clicked. Along the way, I tried pursuing a career as: → a corporate banker I worked 2 years trying to sell financing to SME clients, trying to convince myself I liked it → a social media marketer I started an IG/FB ads agency, grew it to $3k/mo before realizing it didn’t excite me. → and a crypto trader I lost 90% of my investments (and all savings) during the 2017 BTC crash and learned some humbling lessons. Years later, I don't do any of that. I'm designing products for a living, teaching others my craft, and running a 7-figure design agency. Funny enough, I didn’t choose design as a career. I found it by accident. And I’m incredibly grateful that I did. Crazy to think it all started from these little Shopify sites and a dream of owning a clothing brand. And I still would love to own that clothing brand. Might mess around and start one next year. But, what I’m most grateful for is that I stuck with design long enough to see some moderate success. Then it snowballed. Because that’s how it often works. You don't have competition. Don’t fear others. Instead, learn from their actions. Focus on building a growth mindset. There’s an abundance of leads on X, and a whole world outside of X too. I scaled to $20k months solo without even having a social media account. Your journey doesn't have to follow a straight path to lead somewhere meaningful. The truth is, most of us are out here figuring it out as we go, adapting, pivoting, and picking up lessons from every wrong turn. Design wasn’t the career I expected, but it’s given me opportunities and fulfillment beyond what I imagined back then. And now, every failure and every risky choice I made along the way adds up to a story worth telling. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Learn from everyone around you, take risks, and let your path evolve and adapt. You don’t have to compete, copy, or chase the same goals as others. Just follow your gut, stay patient and remember there’s enough room for everyone to succeed. Enjoy your weekend! ☀️

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👎 Watching Miro Canvas '24 and a presenter just dropped "designers get in the way... you know... because they're perfectionists" in the context of design sprints and application design. He did this while demoing a gen AI prototyping tool trained on designers' work. Then continued to explain all the ways you can eliminate designers from the design process. Gross. #miro #canvas24 #design #ux #uiux

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A simple sentence at the right time can put a smile on your user’s face. I came across this when booking a flight through AirCanada’s app. It's a great reminder to add joy to your user experience. A design that makes your user smile is a success in my book 💯 - - I’m Brendan, your friendly, neighborhood designer sharing UX resources, work, and experiences. Follow along if you found this helpful! #design #UX

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One of the privileges of co-leading a learning innovation research firm with Onlea's Learning Experience Labs (LX Labs) is that not only do we help our clients come up with new educational strategies, we're constantly learning from them about their emerging needs. 🛍️ Last year, we launched the LX Store, a product initiative that signaled our desire to share our expertise with more people in an affordable way. 🎥 We've seen across our consulting clients a desire for leaders inside and outside organizations to continuously adapt and try out new educational engagement tools and approaches (e.g. video, courses, webinars, podcasts, resource sites and AI). 🧪 At the core of who we help, there's one constant theme, passionate professionals who are faced with embracing change in order to thrive. After conducting extensive customer research this year, we've decided to change the name of the LX Store to Onlea Engage, and to create a learning hub for passionate professionals on the move. 🎨 We have also improved our initial product offering showcasing the best of Onlea's learning design to provide immediately applicable engagement tips and tricks for your next presentation, team meeting or personal video recording. Onlea Engage—Explore our new learning hub designed to help passionate professionals adapt and thrive with communication tools that increase audience connection: https://engage.onlea.org/ Read about the LX Store pivot to Onlea Engage: https://lnkd.in/gjjdCDMh #businessleader #smallbusiness #coursecreator #solopreneur #professionaldevelopment #entrepreneur #canbusiness

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Our team is truly at our best when we’re working with big, hairy ideas. Complex ideas often carry the most power, and have the greatest impact. When communicated effectively, they have the potential to create meaningful change, making the world a better place. Canada’s National Oral Health Research Strategy (NOHRS) is no exception. This document outlines strategic recommendations from some of the top minds in oral health research from across the country. It has the potential to have a profound impact on the health of every Canadian, and clear communication coupled with effective graphic design will play a significant role in that impact. NOHRS is the latest in a long list of complex, research-focused communications created by our team for organisations like Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, the Ontario Biodiversity Council, National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health and the United Nations, and I’m proud to say we’ve gotten pretty damn good at it. Are you working on a big, hairy idea? Let’s create some change together.

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We recently started working on a fascinating project with the National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada Centre for Air Travel Research. This UX research project focuses on the critical and often controversial topic of managing mobility devices like motorized wheelchairs for disabled travellers. User Experience (UX) design goes beyond creating digital interfaces. It's about developing solid, robust services and products that ensure seamless and frictionless experiences. Excited to work with Daryl Lopez, Jed Looker, and Shelley Roberts, PhD, to create a solution that comforts individuals with disabilities and drives systemic change. Everyone deserves a seamless air travel experience. #UXDesign #AirTravel #Accessibility #MobilityDevices #Research #InclusiveDesign #GetShitDonepostnumber4 #UserExperience #DisabilityAdvocacy #SystemicChange

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How did rebranding turn Float into one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies? 🚀 When Float (formerly Journal) approached us, they had the ambition and potential to revolutionize business spending in Canada, but they lacked a clear brand direction. Our mission was simple yet impactful: to help Float clarify their identity, align their message, and set the stage for massive growth. Through our brand therapy process, we uncovered the core values that would shape Float’s future—simplicity, empowerment, and trust. We transformed these insights into a bold new identity and a tagline that says it all: “Business spending as it should be.” The results were beyond what anyone expected: • 300x increase in customers • 12x team expansion • Recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies This wasn’t just a rebrand—it was a launchpad for growth. Curious about how brand clarity could drive real results for your business? Drop a comment or reach out directly—I’d love to chat about how strategic branding can fuel your journey.

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I'm excited about this one - I've spent several hours documenting our process and learnings from a year of experimenting with a reduced work week at Made Manifest Inc, including: 💫 our hopes (and fears) and criteria for success 👩‍🔬 exactly what we tested and measured and how 😯 the most surprising thing for me as a leader after prototype 1 Newsletter lands tomorrow morning - sign up link in the comments, don't miss it! #servicedesign #organizationalchange #4dayweek #designthinking

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Use AI to Beat the Summer Heat Hey there, powerhouse CEOs! Is the summer heat cranking up in more ways than one? Kids out of school, vacation plans piling up, and don't even get me started on the actual temperature outside! It's enough to make even the most driven entrepreneur want to hide out in the pool with a margarita. But what if I told you that this summer is the PERFECT time to experiment with AI in your business? That's right - while your schedule may be bursting at the seams, implementing AI tools can actually help you beat the heat and come out thriving. Think about it: with less time to spare, you need to be laser-focused on the tasks that truly move the needle. AI can automate those time-sucking administrative tasks, freeing you up to strategize, innovate, and spend quality time with your family. It's a total win-win! So, ready to dive in? Here's your 3-point checklist for harnessing the power of AI this summer: 1. Identify your biggest time drains What tasks are eating up your precious hours? Is it scheduling, email management, or content creation? Pinpoint the areas where AI can take the reins. 2. Choose your AI sidekicks Research and select AI tools that align with your needs. From virtual assistants to content generators, there's an AI solution for nearly every business challenge. 3. Measure and adjust As you implement AI, track your results. Are you saving time? Seeing increased productivity? Use that data to fine-tune your AI strategy moving forward. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to a summer that's both productive and restorative. If you're ready to take your business to the next level with AI, let's connect! Here's to a summer of growth, innovation, and maybe even a little poolside relaxation! 🌴 #WomenInAI #FemaleFounders #SummerProductivity #AITools #momsandai

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If there's one thing I've learned from spending a lot of time with VCs, it's that they sway between caution⚠️ and opportunity💰. And that makes emotion a pivotal factor in their decisions. They're captivated by: 👉🏼 compelling narratives 👉🏼 stories that stir feelings While rationale is used to justify investments, it's the emotional resonance that truly seals the deal. ✅ So keep it straightforward! Complexity can intimidate investors faster than a haunted house at midnight. ✅ Avoid industry jargon and maintain transparency; attempts to conceal information or play games will likely be noticed. Remember: they know their stuff. ✅ So when presenting, strike a balance between confidence and humility and you can avoid setting off any bull**** alarms.

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So back in 2017, quite literally on a dare, a team of 6 people decided to run FWD50 in Ottawa. I did NOT have "be a free library of hundreds of public sector innovation talks" on my Bingo card. But here we are. Since 2020, we've also been recording, captioning, and publishing our talks. In 2023, our best-attended workshop happened online—with over 850 participants. If you're wondering how AI might impact your job in the public sector, you should watch it. It's called "How to use AI tools for your work in government," from our amazing partners at Apolitical. https://lnkd.in/eeZ5gspA AI is transforming the public service, and this just one of many talks full of practical knowledge about service design thinking, AI, team culture, data privacy, and more. Did I mention this was free? In 7 years, FWD50 has become not just an event where the people building tomorrow’s government go to learn, connect, and recharge; it's also become a great community (I got to see some of them on recent trips to DC, San Francisco, and London!) Anyway, new drop. #ai #machinelearning #publicservice #FWD50 #digitalgovernment

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When My Beacon came to us, they had a bold vision: to reimagine how newcomers to Canada navigate their financial lives. They wanted to go beyond offering a service to becoming a trusted partner—someone who could help people start strong. The challenge? Canada’s financial system can be overwhelming for newcomers—barriers, fine print, and a lack of trust are the norm. Beacon needed to cut through that noise and create a brand that was clear, approachable, and human. Grounded in their purpose of helping newcomers settle with confidence, we built a modern identity and messaging system that inspires trust and action at every level—from the tagline to the smallest design detail. When purpose and design align, the results are truly impactful. If you’re looking to clarify your brand and align it with your purpose, let’s talk. Message me ‘Clarity’ to learn more.

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