Hi, I’m Ruwan.
Problem solver, Connector, Leader & cat dad.
I build high performing teams that deliver quality, innovation & business impact.
Recognized for my initiative &, reliability; I am trusted in critical situations where processes need improvement or decisiveness & change management is required.
A proud Sri Lankan immigrant & minority, I am a people first manager; my goal is to uplift those I manage with empathy & accountability.
Speaking Engagements.
UX Banter Podcast, 2024.
In this episode, we are joined by Ruwan Fernando, a seasoned UX leader with expertise in AAA games, SaaS, and gamification. With experience across five countries, he brings a unique perspective on design, storytelling, and user engagement. Tune in as we explore his journey, industry insights, and the evolving role of UX in gaming.
EvolveDrupal Toronto, 2024.
Having worked on 30+ games, I’ve identified several recurring pitfalls that teams fall into, in the pursuit of scalability.
In this talk at EvolveDrupal Toronto, I speak about these pitfalls and how to identify and avoid them.
ADPList BeMore, 2023.
As a leader of creatives, I presented my thoughts on the challenge of being creative on demand.
I’ve led team in upwards of 30 designers and I seek to give creatives perspective and tools on how to find their own brilliance quickly.
NEXT @ Ubisoft, Toronto.
I had the honor of awarding the first ever UX Design Internship at Ubisoft Toronto.
The NEXT program aims to provide fresh graduates the opportunity to gain paid experience in game studios.
My team developed the design challenge and evaluating all submissions.
I was proud to champion the first ever UX Design Intern in their transition to a full time position under my guidance.
Engage me to speak at your event about UX design leadership and expertise.
Please reach out via email at ruwandoesdesign@gmail.com
Endorsements.
“Ruwan is an experienced, eloquent, smart and ambitious UX design leader. He is in my opinion one of the best I have met during my tenure at Ubisoft.
As a leader, he is generous with his time by going out of his way to support up-and-coming talent across the org”.
Ahmed Salama.
Content & UX Director @ Ubisoft Global.
“Ruwan's empathetic nature, positive energy, and mentoring skills truly set him apart. He approaches problem-solving with a unique blend of philosophical insight and analytical skills, making him a valuable asset to any team. Ruwan's dedication to his craft and ability to inspire and lead others make him a standout professional in the industry.”
Grethel Pipper.
Production Manager @ NetEase.
“Ruwan is a director with many years of experience/know-how, but always willing to learn more and push his own skills where needed. On many occasions he has demonstrated his emotional intelligence, ability to listen and presence when directing his team while also collaborating with other studios”.
Mike Gaiptman.
Producer @ Cloud Imperium.
Beyond his technical strengths, Ruwan was a strong leader who kept the team aligned with best practices while also contributing his own innovative ideas. I would highly recommend Ruwan to any team looking for a talented and collaborative UX leader.”
Doug Appleton.
Chief Creative Director @ Perception Media.
“One of Ruwan's greatest attributes is seeing the big picture; advocated for what players and people want to experience and seeing the long game”.
Eric Zermeno.
Art Director @ Jam City.
“Ruwan is an inspiring leader who only made me want to improve as a designer. Throughout my time at Ubisoft, I found myself becoming more and more comfortable with exploring designs, getting feedback, and presenting to stakeholders thanks to the confidence he instills in his team”.
Jay Lee.
UX Designer @ Ubisoft Toronto.
“Ruwan is a great accessibility champion! His passion for accessibility and great understanding of production pipeline even lead him to create an innovative system to validate and track progress of accessibility”.
David Tisserand.
Director of Accessibility @ Ubisoft.
“Ruwan's expertise in design and exceptional presentation skills have inspired us UX Designers at Ubisoft.
Thanks to Ruwan's constructive feedback, I significantly improved my presentation structure which was essential for my growth as a designer.
Annie Wang.
Senior UX Designer @ Ubisoft.
“Ruwan’s leadership and advocacy fostered a strong sense of confidence within the team, creating an environment where we could thrive and grow. The community Ruwan has helped build has had a lasting and significant impact to this day.”.
Josh DeWolfe.
UX Designer @ Ubisoft.
Mentorship is an extremely important part of my identity as a designer and leader.
I’ve come to realize there are too few design leaders. Especially in the area of UX as it pertains to interactive digital experiences.
My aim is to proactively be part of the solution and offer free mentorship and guidance through the benefit of experience and empathy.
I’ve mentored with UXPA and ADPList.org, working with several mentees who has since become designers for PlayStation,
Organization Founders and successful career transitioners. See what they say about me below.
