EmPonak

Designed for humans,not users.

Product designer with a psychology brain. Montreal-based.

Emily Ponak

I'm Emily.

I studied psychology and behavioural science, which means I've always been more interested in why people do things than just what they do. That curiosity drives everything from how I run research to how I think about a single interaction.

I care about the details that make products feel intuitive, the kind where good design is invisible because it just works. What I love most are problems with a lot of moving pieces. The people side matters too. Working closely with PMs, engineers, and researchers is where I thrive. Empathy isn't a soft skill to me, it's the whole job.

When I'm not designing, I'm at a concert, on a plane, or in a boxing gym. Sometimes all three in the same week.

Experience

Stay22

2024-Present

Optable Technologies

2022-2024

Matchbox Virtual Media

2021-2022

Capabilities

FigmaAdobe PhotoshopUser ResearchUsability TestingInformation ArchitectureInteraction DesignDesign SystemsWireframingPrototypingA/B TestingAccessibilityFrench & EnglishVibe Coding
© 2026 Emily PonakMontreal · Product Design