Co Product Owner
Lead Product Designer
5 designers
2 developers
Sept. - Dec. 2026
Figma
Illustrator
Jira
This project focused on designing and managing the development of an AI-powered study tool for electrical apprentices in British Columbia, with a specific emphasis on neurodiverse learners. As Product Owner, Project Manager, and Lead Product Designer, I led the project end-to-end—from defining the problem and scoping the MVP to guiding research, design decisions, and implementation strategy.
The goal was to help apprentices simplify their own study materials without sacrificing accuracy. Unlike general AI summarization tools, this product sandboxed the Canadian Electrical Code to ensure reliable outputs for regulated trade content, reducing both cognitive overload and trust issues during studying.
National apprenticeship data reveals low retention and completion in skilled trades: only about 19–20% of apprentices in Canada complete their programs within the expected timeframe, and up to 40–44% discontinue training within six years of registration.
As Product Owner, I defined the research direction and ensured findings directly informed product decisions. Research combined qualitative and quantitative methods:
I intentionally scoped the project to one trade—electrical—to ensure accuracy, depth, and relevance before considering expansion to other trades.
Interviewing a BCIT Master Electrician Instructor and electrical apprentices gave us direct insight into how learners navigate dense code material and where they need support. These conversations grounded our design decisions in real study behaviors and pain points.
We conducted surveys with electrical apprentices to understand their study habits, main struggles, and the tools they use. Common difficulties included not knowing where to start, organizing information across sources, and learning from dense, jargon-filled textbooks—all of which contributed to cognitive overload.
These insights confirmed the need for a tool that helps apprentices simplify and structure their notes while maintaining accuracy.
We analyzed 7 direct and indirect competitors, including AI summarization tools and trade-focused study resources, to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and target users.
Many AI tools could summarize information, but they were not built for neurodiverse learners. Their interfaces were often complex, and their outputs were not always reliable. On the other hand, trade study resources provided accurate information but lacked tools to simplify dense code material.
Two clear gaps emerged:
Demographics, goals, and pain points will go here.
Casey Bourne, Level 2 Electrician. Demographics, goals, and pain points in card above.
Using insights from the competitive analysis, interviews, and survey, two primary personas were developed to represent Got It's target audience, ensuring the team addresses their specific needs and challenges.
As Lead Product Designer, I translated research insights into a focused MVP. My core design principles were:
The key product decision was allowing users to upload their own notes and generate simplified versions grounded in the Canadian Electrical Code.
Upload your own notes or pick a built-in textbook. Everything stays accurate because AI only uses the CEC.
Turn dense text into easy-to-read versions or quick summaries.
See content visually and plan your study around your exam date.
Helps students know where to start by breaking content into clear, digestible sections.
Compare original and simplified text side by side.
The Site Map structured the website for clear navigation, enabling easy access to note uploads, simplified summaries, and side-by-side comparison. Since all surveyed apprentices study on laptops, we chose a web-based platform to match their workflow.
The visual system was intentionally minimal and calm, using:
The goal was to create an environment that felt safe, focused, and non-judgmental for learners who already feel overwhelmed.
As Co-Product Owner and Lead Product Designer, during the initial research and ideation phase, I felt overwhelmed by the number of issues uncovered through surveys, interviews, and competitor analysis. The problems were layered and systemic, and I questioned how we could realistically address them within a single product.
To regain focus, I prioritized the highest-impact challenges and defined clear scope boundaries. Instead of trying to solve everything, I focused on core features that directly reduced cognitive overload and improved study clarity. This iterative approach helped shape Got It into a focused, lean prototype grounded in real user needs.
Through this process, I learned how critical it is to separate important problems from urgent ones. As a leader, I had to make decisions that balanced ambition with feasibility, ensuring the team stayed aligned and confident in the direction. I also realized that designing within constraints doesn't limit creativity—it sharpens it. By narrowing the scope, we built something intentional rather than bloated.
Ultimately, I learned that strong scope definition, disciplined prioritization, and decisive leadership are just as important as creativity when building meaningful, user-centered products.
