Viola Hernandez
Education
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing joint major with Interactive Arts and Technology (BA) in Design, Simon Fraser University
- Certified User Experience Specialist (CXS), Akendi
Specialization
Digital Project Leadership, Strategic Communications, Corporate Design and Publishing, User Experience Design, Storytelling
Biography
Viola is a Senior Design Team Lead who unifies stakeholder vision with hands-on technical execution. With 15 years of experience in corporate marketing and communications for both the private and public sectors, she has led cross-functional teams to create scalable, accessible products—most notably managing the end-to-end redesign of the York Region Transit (YRT) digital ecosystem. During her tenure with the municipal government, she also led the design of an award-winning marketing campaign displayed on public facilities across York Region.
Viola distinguishes herself as a multidisciplinary problem-solver, combining the strategic oversight needed to navigate complex stakeholder priorities with the technical knowledge to deliver large-scale projects to the finish line.
Beyond her professional career, Viola is a self-published author and interdisciplinary creator. Her children’s book, "Can You Hear the Halcyons Sing?", is available in Canadian public libraries. Her work is defined by a philosophy of connecting people through storytelling, improving everyday life through human-centred design, and bringing order, harmony, and solutions to complex problems.
Why Digital Media?
Digital media and technology have evolved too rapidly for any professional to remain stagnant. After 15 years in the industry, I continue to observe how fast technological innovations render old methods and training obsolete. To continue being an effective Design Lead, I believe it is important to immerse myself in this new generation of digital media—from mastering generative AI to learning new methods in digital communication—rather than resting on past experiences.
I chose the MDM program because it values what I value: interdisciplinary design practices with hands-on application. As someone who takes pride in 'wearing many hats', I find this program to be the perfect choice to build upon my years of experience. I hope to leave this program not just with a degree, but with the enhanced skillset needed to navigate an ever-evolving landscape, setting me apart as a forward-thinking design leader.
Links
LinkedIn (external link, opens in new window)