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DCD Blogs/Lessons from the Field (view source)
Revision as of 10:26, 28 June 2018
, 10:26, 28 June 2018added nick
If you want to learn more about what a design system is and why we’re building it, you can read my [https://medium.com/@s.duffey121/starting-from-scratch-building-the-new-gctools-design-system-26233038eafb blog post].
If you want to learn more about what a design system is and why we’re building it, you can read my [https://medium.com/@s.duffey121/starting-from-scratch-building-the-new-gctools-design-system-26233038eafb blog post].
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=== Nick Pietrantonio ===
'''GCcollab:''' @nicholas.pietrantonio
'''Who are you and what do you do?'''
I’m Nick Pietrantonio and I’m a developer for the Digital Collaboration Division. I do a bunch of things such as: building new features, bug fixes, interface design, graphic design and usability testing. In tech speak I am what is called a front end developer. This means I work on the part of the GCtools that you as users see and work with. I’m interested in all aspects of web / software development with a particular fascination for design.
'''What is a highlight/special achievement from the last year?'''
This year I had the pleasure of visiting the east coast with Derek Alton, where we accepted the silver award for Innovative Management for the GCTools. We spent time in Moncton, Fredericton, Halifax and Charlottetown meeting with representatives from government, academia and the community. It was a great chance to have discussions and get valuable feedback from current and potential users. We met lots of wonderful people and experienced lots of east coast hospitality.
'''What is a lesson from the last year?'''
This year I was able to speak to various users about how we can improve our platform and how to improve the accessibility of our tools. We observed users with screen readers, learned how to use screen readers ourselves and did tons of research to make the tools user-friendly for users with assistive technologies. On top of that I got to geek out and dabble in a ton of new technologies that I didn’t have the chance to explore before! Some examples include: Python Django framework which helps speed up the process of coding applications, and ReactJS that helps provide templates for interfaces.
'''What are you excited about for the coming year?'''
I’m excited to find new ways to help public servants do their work and through that improve Canadians experience of government. I think a key part of this will be talking directly to more users and involving them more directly in the design process. I am also really excited for working on the major design problems with this awesome team!