Hi :)
I'm a Boston-based UX designer and startup enthusiast. My love for startups stems from my passion for products and the intricate methods to deliver an experience that makes people feel delightful and satisfied. I am highly ambitious and love tackling problems with a compulsion to find viable, human-centered solutions.
About Me
For as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a product designer. As a young kid, I was interested in product and innovation; I would fill my Five Star notebooks with ideas and my best guess at what schematics are. Over the years, I slowly learned more about product design and put the pieces together; it was a long hard road filled with failures at every turn. Before I was a practicing UX designer, my hobby has been to dream up product ideas with business models and draft mockups as passion projects. I have never been happier with my work as I look back at my progress with amazement and a bit of cringe.
Where can you find me when I’m not working?
Books
I enjoy reading fantasy novels and design-focused books. Some books I've enjoyed are "The Kingkiller Chronicles" by Patrick Rothfuss, “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin, "Lean Startup" by Eric Ries, and "Hooked" by Nir Eyal, to name a few. I would love any suggestions.
Daily Chess Routine
Every day for almost two decades, I have played chess. I genuinely enjoy the game and find it relaxing to focus my mind for a few moments on something other than work. Send me a game invite on Chess.com @johnny_boston
Engaged in Boston's Startup Community
Since moving to Boston, I’ve been warmly welcomed into the city's vibrant startup community. I've volunteered at CIC Venture Café, MIT Media Lab Reality Hackathon and Startup Boston Week. In addition to organizing several hackathons, I've actively engaged in workshops, conferences, and meetups, which have deepened my connection with Boston's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
My Journey
Techstars Startup Weekend 2024
I attended Techstars Startup Weekend for a second time and although we did not take home the grand prize it was an amazing event where I got to see friends in the community and help entrepreneurs solve problems.
startupweekend.boston
Winner Techstars Startup Weekend 2023
I joined a charismatic entrepreneur’s team to build a concept that he used Chat GPT to make two hours before the event. We worked hard to fight scope creep and delivered an amazing pitch and MVP to win the events grand prize. I gained experience and friends I’ll forever be grateful for. 10/10 would recommend.
www.convi.io
HackNEU 2017 hackathon
I enjoyed volunteering to organize a hackathon at Northeastern University. We ran a 48-hour hackathon, fed the students well and often while they worked hard all night.
Winner of AngleHack 2017
I entered a hackathon just for the fun of it and won 1st place with the initial concept for, Parley. I met and worked with some wonderful and talented people.
angelhack.com
Epicenter Entrepreneur Accelerator
I was accepted into an accelerator program when I first moved to Boston. It was one of the most effective programs I've taken. Malia Lazu and her team taught me the necessities of entrepreneurialism while helping me with my confidence and presentation skills.
thelazugroup.com
Startup Boston Week
I’ve had the pleasure of volunteering for Boston’s premier non-profit that focuses on connecting the New England startup community through networking, events, and resources, supporting founders and startup professionals.
startupbos.org
General Assembly UX Design Immersive
As I learned more about product design, I came across the profession of UX Design. I felt a real emotional draw to the work and people. The instructors tell me most cohorts don't click the way mine did, so I'm forever grateful for the skills and experience I learned at General Assembly and for the friends I made.
Finding myself in every new chapter
I learn, and I grow. I try to laugh along the way. I've been called a workaholic, and my passion for my work has sometimes made building friendships challenging. I genuinely want to help others, and shamelessly, I need help too. I'm grateful for the friends I've made, both in and outside the startup community, who keep me grounded and remind me to enjoy life.
Reality Virtually Hackathon 2016-2019
I had the pleasure of being a lead organizer for the world's largest VR/AR/MR hackathon at MIT's Media Lab for three years. The event taught me so much and gave me friends for life.
mitrealityhack.com
Techstars 2015 Demo Day
When I moved to Boston, I quickly realized the best strategy to network with Boston’s tech community is volunteering. I helped Techstars with their demo day event and got to mingle with some brilliant entrepreneurs.
techstars.com/accelerators/boston
An Outsider
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
-Robert Frost
Design Edge
I have experience in product design and project management. My skills in UX design and passion for entrepreneurialism give me a unique edge in understanding the process needed to design user-centered solutions with business needs in mind. Thank you for taking the time to review my portfolio.
I wish you good fortune in the sprints to come.