Instructure (Canvas)
Senior Product Designer • Large-Scale Platform Design
2023 – Present
Overview
As a Senior Product Designer at Instructure, I work on Canvas — one of the world's leading learning management systems used by millions of educators and students. My work spans redesigning legacy features, creating new AI-powered experiences, and ensuring accessibility compliance across the platform.
I've led the redesign of critical content management features including Commons, Import, Export, Course Copy, Blueprint, Received Content, and the Files page. I've also designed AI features such as discussion summaries, insights, and translation tools. Most recently, I've been working on a complete redesign of the Block Editor experience, including AI-powered features currently in early adopter testing.
My Role
Product Design & UX
Led redesigns of multiple core Canvas features including content management, sharing, and AI-powered tools. Designed user experiences for millions of educators and students worldwide.
Discovery & Research
Conducted in-person CDS sessions, Zoom user interviews, and surveys using Maze. Led product discovery initiatives to inform feature priorities and design decisions.
Prototyping & Validation
Created high-fidelity prototypes in Figma and used Figma Make (vibe coding) to build working prototypes for the Block Editor. Facilitated design validation sessions with stakeholders and users.
Cross-Team Collaboration
Worked in agile squads with Engineering Managers, Product Managers, and development teams. Collaborated with other designers and accessibility engineers to ensure WCAG compliance.
Tools & Technologies
Key Features & Projects
Content Management Redesigns
Led comprehensive redesigns of Commons, Import, Export, Course Copy, Blueprint, Received Content, and Files page — streamlining workflows for educators managing course materials.
AI-Powered Discussion Tools
Designed AI features including discussion summaries, insights, and translation capabilities to enhance classroom engagement and accessibility across language barriers.
Block Editor Redesign
Complete redesign of the Block Editor experience with integrated AI features. Built working prototypes using Figma Make to validate designs before development.
Accessibility-First Design
Ensured WCAG compliance across all features through close collaboration with accessibility engineers and extensive testing with diverse user groups.
Design Process
My approach combines rigorous user research with rapid prototyping and validation. For each feature, I conduct discovery sessions including in-person CDS workshops and remote user interviews via Zoom. I use Maze to run surveys and gather quantitative data to inform design decisions.
Working in agile squads, I collaborate daily with Engineering Managers, Product Managers, and developers. I create high-fidelity prototypes in Figma and leverage the Instructure UI library to ensure design consistency. For the Block Editor redesign, I pioneered the use of Figma Make (vibe coding) to create functional prototypes that allowed us to test and validate complex interactions before engineering investment.
Throughout the design process, I work closely with accessibility engineers to ensure WCAG compliance. Every feature undergoes design validation sessions with stakeholders and users, ensuring we're building solutions that truly meet the needs of educators and students.
Team & Collaboration
I work in cross-functional agile squads consisting of an Engineering Manager, Product Manager, and myself as the Senior Product Designer, supported by a team of developers. This tight-knit structure enables rapid iteration and close collaboration throughout the product development cycle.
I regularly collaborate with other designers across Instructure, sharing insights and contributing to the Instructure UI library. Working with accessibility engineers is a core part of my process, ensuring that every design meets accessibility standards and serves all users effectively.
Impact
Redesigned critical content management workflows used by millions of educators worldwide. Streamlined complex processes like course importing and content sharing, reducing friction and improving discoverability. AI-powered features now help instructors manage discussions at scale, and the modernized Block Editor makes course creation more intuitive—all while maintaining WCAG compliance and serving diverse learners globally.
Project Highlights
