Daniela Piceno Montiel

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a Mexican Industrial and Digital designer with a multidisciplinary background and experience across industrial, graphic, and digital design.

My experience started back home in Mexico, after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and began my professional journey as an intern designer at the Guadalajara International Book Fair. I later transitioned into Graphic and Digital Design, eventually joining Envato, an international creative technology company based in Australia.

I have always been curious about learning new things, growing and exploring every side of the design world. After several years of building my career in Mexico, I move to Ontario to pursue new challenges and opportunities. 

My journey in Canada began by exploring the interior design industry while continuing to develop my digital design skills and freelance creative projects. Today, I am continuing to expand my skill set and explore new possibilities within the Canadian design field.

What was your motivation to pursue continuing studies and why did you choose OCAD University?

The design world is growing faster than ever, with new tools, technologies, and AI developments constantly changing the way designers work. As an international professional entering the Canadian design field, I wanted to better understand the current industry landscape and strengthen my skills.

I was looking for a program that would allow me to update my knowledge while continuing to work and develop my career, and I discovered the Digital Media Skills Certificate at OCAD U School of Continuing Studies.

The program was exactly what I was looking for: a remote and flexible format, practical classes, focused on current technologies and the opportunity of learning from experience professionals. All of this on top of having a great reputation within the Canadian design community.

Which courses did you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoyed all of the classes I enrolled in; the Introduction and Intermediate UX/UI courses were enriching because the subject is something I hadn’t developed from beginning to end. Learning the process, from research and conceptualization to prototyping and testing, was an incredibly valuable experience. Professor Omid Ettehadi is committed to helping his students succeed, explaining everything in depth, and providing very thorough feedback on each assignment. It was a pleasure to learn from such a dedicated professional.

I also truly enjoyed Design Thinking with Professor Nadine Hare. I had studied the methodology briefly during my undergraduate studies, but I always wanted to explore a more detailed class, and this course surpassed my expectations. The entire course was structured around the methodology itself, and Professor Hare’s thorough assignment reviews, well-structured lessons, and knowledge made the experience especially valuable to me.

Why did you choose to complete the Digital Media Skills Certificate? 

My academic studies at the University of Guadalajara focused on Industrial Design, and although I remain very passionate about that field, my professional career gradually shifted toward digital and graphic design areas I discovered I enjoy as well. With over seven years of experience, I have had the opportunity to learn from talented professionals and work with different companies, but I wanted to return to school to deepen my knowledge and intentionally expand my skill set. 

The Digital Media Skills Certificate offered courses that allowed me to further explore subjects that align with my current interests and career direction. I appreciated the flexibility around class schedules and the ability to complete the courses at my own pace; it worked perfectly while navigating this stage of my professional career.

What is a digital media project that you are working on now, and/or what are your future plans?

One project I am focused on lately is the UX/UI design project I developed during my Introduction and Intermediate UX/UI courses. It is a mobile app and website concept that provides detailed information about destination wedding venues in Mexico. It is designed to help couples planning from Canada without a wedding planner. It allows people to confidently research, evaluate, and shortlist venues without feeling pressured or confused. 

The project was inspired by a personal need and is supported by research and data. During my classes, I developed an initial round of prototypes in Figma for both Mobile and Web. I continue to refine and develop the concept.

Professionally, I am transitioning into the next stage of my career and continuing to explore the Canadian Design field. I am excited to keep building on my multidisciplinary background, learning from new environments, and contributing my skills to meaningful and creative projects.