Innovator at Newt Labs
2011 - 2013
At Newt Labs (yes, named after the amphibian!), my role as an Innovator wasn't just a job title—it was an adventure into the unknown realms of technology and user experience.
My time at Newt Labs began with an exciting project for an educational materials company. Here, I spearheaded the creation of an interactive eBook using iBooks Author. This wasn't just a book; it was a gateway to a new world of learning. By integrating rich media and interactive elements, we transformed traditional educational materials into a dynamic, engaging experience. Imagine animations springing to life from the pages, videos playing at the tap of a finger, and assessments that provided instant feedback—all woven into the fabric of a digital book.
I also had the exciting opportunity to work on the UX of a browser project. Although this project didn't launch due to the company's acquisition, it's fascinating to see echoes of our innovative ideas in the latest version of Safari. While 'pics or it didn't happen' might be the norm, sometimes the impact of your work lives on in the innovations that follow.
Perhaps the most impactful project at Newt Labs was something that hit close to the heart: a unique initiative for a clinic's health plan fee collector. Our challenge? To make online bill payments accessible to seniors, many of whom had never interacted with a smartphone. We brought the solution to their doorstep, quite literally. Our team implemented the first iPhone 3Gs in Brazil, bringing technology to the hands of those who needed it most.
I delved deep into UX design, ensuring that our app was not only functional but also intuitive for first-time smartphone users. But it didn't stop there. I collaborated closely with the clinic's IT department, assisted in implementation, and even conducted QA under the most challenging conditions—riding pillion on motorcycles through the winding streets of Rio de Janeiro’s suburbs. It was a project that blended technology with empathy, making a real difference in people’s lives.
