Yu Centrik is headed by the two partners who founded this firm in 2003: Joëlle Stemp and Chrystel Black.
Yu Centrik features the largest concentration of experts in interface usability and user experience in Québec. Our expertise is equalled only by our commitment!
Learn more about all aspects of our team:
- Joëlle Stemp, President - Usability Expert
- Chrystel Black, Vice-president - Usability expert
- Pierre-Alexandre Lapointe, M. Ing., User Experience Director
- Marcio Leibovitch, User Experience Director
- Karine Grandé, Usability Expert
- Benoît Decomble, Usability Expert
- Felipe Rodriguez, Project Manager, Accountant
- Alice R. Malisia, Ing. jr, Usability Expert
- Yannick Roy, Usability Expert
- Jay Vidyarthi, Usability Expert
Joëlle Stemp
President and Usability Expert
Joëlle Stemp is an associate and President at Yu Centrik. She studied communications at university and is a Web Usability Specialist. She is certified by Human
Factors International (HFI).
Joëlle has a strong passion for usability, and has been working on interface design for the last 16 years. She has a solid experience in designing and evaluating Web sites.
She has participated in several large public projects (Minitel, Alex, and FreeNet) for many years, and in the very first years of the Web. She worked on the first-ever Internet information system to be set up at the University of Montreal (UdeMatik).
She started designing user-interface for Minitel in France and created the first (CWIS) Campus Wide Information System on Internet at University of Montreal in 1990.
For five years she was part of a Usability Team in Montreal Computer Research Center (CRIM).
She is a member of Utilisabilité Québec (Usability Professionals' Association).
Joëlle taught User Interface Design and Web site evaluation courses at the CRIM, at the ECI (Electronic Commerce Institute) and at HEC.
Mantra
Thanks for my life! Unfortunately 50% of the earth's population still lives on less than $2 a day.
Childhood memory
The blue waters of the Mediterranean and the sweet smell of tomato sauce already cooking at 8 in the morning.
Youthful folly
In my first life in U.K., the spiritual "hippy" gathering of Guru Maharaj Ji, the young obese 15-year old millionaire, at the Crystal Palace in London in 1973; the smell of incense filled the air, everyone was in love and threw rose petals at each other (Peace!).
Personal dream
To expand Yu Centrik services world wide.
Musical inspiration
Yesterday, today and tomorrow, Mark knophler, Van Morisson, U2, my daughter (she can sing too)
Cult movie
The Godfather ; The films from Indian director Satyajit Ray (Apu's Trilogy),
Mira Nair and Bollywood movies too ;=)
First contact with technology
Linotypes for press operators, designing Minitel screen pages using a TV screen as the display …ouch!
Annoying technology
The inconsistency found in PowerPoint's formatting functions, particularly when you are in a hurry; the lack of control on the alarm ring of my cell phone.
Technology of the future
Self-heating cordless hair curlers, with automatic heat regulation, thus ensuring a beautiful curl in just a few minutes, and compact enough to fit in a lady's bag!.
Chrystel Black
Vice-president - Usability expert
Chrystel Black is an associate and Vice-President at Yu Centrik.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and a post graduate diploma (DESS) in Cognitive Ergonomics from the École Polytechnique de Montréal. She is presently pursuing her Master's studies in Human Factors.
Over the past 14 years, Chrystel worked designing and testing user interfaces for a variety of applications including customer help desk, IVR, CRM, decision support systems and e-commerce solutions. Throughout her numerous professional mandates, she was able to put her knowledge and expertise into practice across various technologies (from legacy systems to Web products) and application fields (e.g. financial services, medical assistance, general consumer products).
This diversified experience has allowed her to develop a strong expertise in usability, and specifically in the implementation of user experience strategies.
She is an executive member of Utilisabilité Québec and a member of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists.
She has taught, and is still teaching User Interface courses at INIS, at the University of Montreal and at the École Polytechnique.
Mantra
Aum baby, Aum !
Childhood Memomy
I can still see myself as a 10-year old on my grandmother's cherry tree. I am picking and handing her cherries. Underneath the tree, she gently places them in an osier basket. All that while dreaming up nature, flowers and birds…unforgettable little nothings that life has to offer. Thanks, grandma.
Youthful folly
The first time I ran away … when I was 4!
Personal dream
Que nous ne consommions pas plus que ce que la nature est capable de régénérer...
Musical inspiration
Beatles (of course).
Cult Movie
Rabbi Jacob, for Louis de Funès' cartoon-like mimicry.
First contact with technology
"My first turntable," a Fisher Price toy. In fact some sort of pick-up with a reading nail in lieu of a needle and five thick plastic records which ended their lives as Frisbees.
Annoying technology
We are ALWAYS being offered functions people are unable to understand. Too much never seems to be enough!
Technology of the future
A method of transportation that is fun, ecological, flexible enough in size to meet our ever changing needs, and which allows me to satisfy my need for speed.
Pierre-Alexandre Lapointe, M. Ing.
User Experience Director
Pierre-Alexandre Lapointe has a Master's degree in Ergonomics studies at the École Polytechnique de Montréal.
He has five years' experience in the design and evaluation of Web sites, and has a very advanced knowledge of the methods and tools used in interactive systems ergonomics.
Since his arrival at Yu Centrik, he has participated in many product design and evaluation projects, for Loto-Québec, Astral Media, and Videotron, among others. He has also taken part in several government projects.
He is an executive member of the Quebec section of Utilisabilité Québec (Association of Usability Professionals).
Mantra
It's better to lose your watch than lose your time.
Childhood memory
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. I was both fascinated and completely traumatized!
Youthful folly
Doing a "taxi-boot" with the school bus while in high school (not recommended).
Personal dream
Own my own helicopter (and ideally, know how to pilot it).
Musical inspiration
Kraftwerk, the techno band from Detroit, funk, music by Ennio Morricone.
Cult movie
For a Few Dollars More or Alien, depending on my mood.
First contact with technology
Nintendo Entertainment System complete model with the robot and the gun!
Annoying technology
Paid office coffee dispensers (grrrr !).
Technology of the future
A micro-cooler (a reverse microwave).
Marcio Leibovitch
User Experience Director
Marcio Leibovitch is an engineer with a degree from PUC University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He has twelve years' experience in project management, interface design and in information architecture, with a specialization in informational and transactional applications: Internet gateways, Intranets-Extranets, E-commerce, P2P, interactive television, etc.
Since he arrived at Yu Centrik, he has taken part in a number of product design and evaluation projects, including projects for Videotron Interactive, Astral Media, and several government projects.
Marcio is highly knowledgeable in new communications technologies.
Mantra
"It's better to have acted and failed than never to have acted at all" [Anonymous]
Childhood memory
My 3-month summer vacations…
Youthful folly
Dreaming of becoming a rock star.
Personal dream
To visit the pyramids in Egypt.
Musical inspiration
Heavy Metal bands.
Cult movie
Crossroads, the movie which ends with a duel between two guitarists.
Premier contact avec la technologie
An Atari 2600 in 1982.
Annoying technology
Programming menus for recording TV programs in old videocassette recorders.
Technology of the future
A portable computer whose screen size could be increased as needed; the basic build could be very tiny, thus allowing it to fit in your pocket, but it could also be expanded to the size of a normal movie theatre screen.
Karine Grandé
Usability Expert
Karine has a Master’s Degree in Ergonomics from the Université de Paris V (France), where she worked in the Usability lab under Mr. Christian Bastien.
She is aware of how accessibility can be an issue and has been a part of the team responsible for redesigning a number of e-learning and bilingual (French/Sign Language) websites for the hearing impaired.
Karine joins Yu Centrik under interface design and evaluation contracts. She hopes to put her Usability and Cognitive Science skills to good use within the group.
Mantra
"You have to be moderate, especially when it comes to be moderate." - Richard Bates
Childhood memory
All 6’4” of Javier Sotomayor (World champion high jumper) signing an autograph for me.
Youthful folly
Believing that, if I bought that breakfast cereal and paid close enough attention, those little men would jump out of the bowl like in the TV commercials (I was only 6…)
Personal dream
Well, it’s personal after all, right? ;)
Musical inspiration
Everything inspires me! Especially Massive Attack in concert.
Cult movie
“Dil se”, “Le Voyage de Chihiro”, “Alien” … and so many more!
First contact with technology
The rotary telephone…you were better off not being in a hurry to dial that number!
Annoying technology
Dead batteries...
Technology of the future
A patch system with connection and shutdown event trackers, which will help reduce our use of technology, as well as our reliance on computers and the Internet..
Benoît Decomble
Usability Expert
Benoit holds a master’s degree in Media Engineering (specialty e-writing) from “Sud de Toulon” University in France.
Passionate about new technologies, Benoit has mastered the use of most tools required to develop Web sites and their graphic design. He worked as technical project head managing Flash and Rich Media files at the TBWA/INTERACTIVE Agency in Paris, in 2006. Being particularly aware of interface quality, he jointed the Yu Centrik team to firmly apply this passion for usability systems.
Benoit first joined Yu Centrik in February 2007 as an intern finishing his education. He now joins the team gainfully employed as a multi-media designer and junior usability expert.
Mantra
"Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss it you will land among the stars" - Les Brown
Childhood memory
Roaming about with friends in the village where I grew up in the Pyrenees. We would always find something inventive to do to carelessly pass the time. Later, vacationing on Port-Cros Island with friends under the stars.
Youthful follies
Diving off a ten metre high cliff into the sea when it was strictly forbidden. You see, the water wasn’t deep enough…
Personal dream
To Travel around the world.
Musical inspiration
Groundation, Girls in Hawaii, Manu Chao, RJD2...
It is hard to answer this question, as the musical universe is so vast!
Cult film
Émir Kusturica’s, “Black Cat White Cat.” Sometimes it is “Human Traffic.”
First contact with technology
When I was first seen by ultrasound in my mother’s womb. Nintendo’s Game&Watch before my first Game Boy.
Technological irritant
The University Intranet system! Such disastrous usability!
Future technology
In the not too distant future I await “electronic paper,” as I am fed up with reading on computer screens. It is too hard on the eyes. Otherwise, a time machine to travel into the future and see the planet in good shape, after we’ve made such a mess of things.
Felipe Rodriguez
Project Manager, Accountant
Senor Rodriquez is an economist (UNC, Argentina) and holds a Masters degree in planning, negotiation and project management from FLASCO in Argentina. He was also assistant professor of Project Management Evaluation at 3 de Febrero University in Argentina.
For over 14 years Senor Rodriquez has developed an expertise in project management in both the private and public sectors.
In the private sector he has worked as project manager developing new businesses and markets. In the public sector he served as senior economic advisor for both the House of representative and the Senate in Argentina. Recently he has acted as research advisor for the Department of Political Science at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Senor Rodriquez joined the Yu Centrik team recently to work on the firm's management and profitability.
Mantra
Why make it complicated when you can make it simple?
Childhood memory
The perfume-like smell of spring in the province where I was born in Mendoza, Argentina, the wine growing part of the nation.
Youthful follies
When I would slip out of the house unnoticed to play soccer. Sorry mom and dads.
Personal dream
To travel throughout Asia, particularly China.
Musical inspiration
It depends on the occasion but a bit of jazz is always welcome.
Cult film
The Godfather.
First contact with technology
My grandfather's 78-rpm turntable upon which he would play the records of
Carlos Gardel.
Technological irritant
Automated answering machine services.
Future technology
Ubiquitous internet access.
Alice R. Malisia, ing. jr
Usability Expert
Alice completed her undergraduate degree in Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo with a Cognitive Science option. During her studies, she acquired valuable knowledge in the area of user-centred design and usability. She is passionate about human-machine interactions. Alice is also very interested in artificial intelligence. Thus, in 2007, I obtained a MASc. degree specializing in the field of intelligent systems.
Alice had the opportunity to complete several internships in the field the human-machine interactions and usability. Alice helped design and conduct two different human factors studies. She also completed a full usability study while working at National Instruments.
Alice loves languages. She is fluent in English, French and Portuguese, and has working knowledge of Spanish
Mantra
Live, love, laugh, and learn everyday of your life.
Childhood memory
Long nights spent with my sisters in our bedroom playing games, sharing secrets and telling crazy stories... My dad's endless joke repertory during supper, and the mini chocolate umbrellas my mother would make magically appear.
Youthful follies
Nothing comes to mind, but I am still young...
Personal dream
Learn to play guitar and to tap dance.
Musical inspiration
I like different kinds of music, particularly songs from Diana Krall, Dave Matthews Band, Enya, and Jobim. I also love to listen to movie and tv show soundtracks, as they contain a great variety of songs.
Cult film
Cube, Primer, Memento...
First contact with technology
Our very first video game console: a "TI -99a", which included games such as TI Invaders, Parsec, Pac-Man and my favourite: Hunt the Wumpus.
Technological irritant
Unnecessary complexity and excessive features... I much prefer simple designs that address our needs efficiently and elegantly.
Future technology
I imagine a system similar to "Jane" described in the "Ender's Game" book series by Orson Scott Card. It is a system that is artificially intelligent operated by means of a voice interface and containing a large set of data. The system works as an assistant to our daily tasks and provides us with quick and precise access to a lot of information.
Yannick Roy
Usability Expert
Yannick Roy is an engineer who trained at and graduated from "L'Institut Cognitique" in Bordeaux, France.
His acquired knowledge in neuropsychology, or in cognitive psychology, is an important attribute for designing technological interfaces adapted for users. In fact, to be part of this kind of specialty demands a strong knowledge of the human mind's various processes.
Yannick also works on web sites and in the field of interactive television.
Mantra
It is rather difficult, as in geography and morals, to know the world without leaving home. (Voltaire)
Childhood memory
When I was quite young, the expression "shoes which run quickly" was inscribed on my running shoes. At least that is what my parents told me (because that is what I wanted to hear) when pointing out any inscription...later, I learned how to read.
Youthful follies
Pitching a tent on the edge of a mountain pass during a windstorm. This is the least recommended place to do so. The tent did not stand the test. The weather changed to a major storm and we had to clear out in the middle of the night.
Personal dream
That one I keep for myself.
Musical inspiration
Classical music. Gypsy jazz. Rock and roll and many other kinds. There is good music and slightly less good music, but it is all subjective and it would take me far to long to compile a precise list of that which inspires me.
Cult film
Far from being the only one, I would have to mention Elephant Man, directed by David Lynch and adapted from the written works of Sir Frederick Treves and Ashley Montagu. Voyeurism is still topical...
First contact with technology
With the family in about 1991 playing "The Time Travelers" on an Atari ST520, if my memory serves me well.
Technological irritant
Amongst many irritants, the SMS function that notifies us that our message has been received...by a server. Unfortunately, it often happens that the person to whom it was destined has in fact not received the message. One more example of masking the reality of what is actually happening.
Future technology
A "beam me up, Scotty" styled transporter. In the depths of winter this would be really practical. Unfortunately this technology will not be available in the not too distant future.
Jay Vidyarthi
Usability Expert
Despite his youth, Jay Vidyarthi has already explored various avenues of human-computer interaction including academic research, web usability and user interface design.
He is a recent graduate in cognitive psychology from McGill University where he studied the psychological tendencies which give rise to modern design principles.
Through his academic success, Jay earned a research fellowship at SISSA (Trieste, Italy) where his free-thinking approach allowed him to merge principles in computer science, physics, neuroscience, psychology and music to design an experimental interface responsible for testing human sound perception.
Mantra
The Gayatri Mantra: om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yonah prachodayat om
(a request for the sun to grant one the brilliance to see truth.)
Childhood memory
Traveling to our family-owned sugar plantation in north-east India and riding our pet elephant when I was 3 (it's a blurry memory).
Youthful follies
Spending way too much time in front of video games and computer screens. Also, pretty much everything that comes along with playing in a touring rock band.
Personal dream
To hunt hundreds of interesting musical instruments from around the world and learn to play them.
Musical inspiration
The White Stripes, Neil Young, Hawksley Workman, The Vines, Knaan, Miles Davis, Elmore James, Led Zeppelin, Thievery Corporation, The Notorious B.I.G., Nirvana, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Dandy Warhols, Charles Mingus, Giovanni Lindo Feretti, Howlin Wolf, and so much more.
Cult film
The Game.
First contact with technology
The NES and an old 286 with about 12Kb of hard drive space and DOS (dir /w).
Technological irritant
Feature creep. Simplicity is the key. I only use my TV Remote to do 5 things, yet I just counted 59 buttons on it, and they're all about the same size!
Future technology
Expressive interfaces for social networks where profiles/avatars become art and all users become artists. I look forward to the day that technologically-mediated communication rivals linguistic communication in its ability to transmit thoughts, feelings and ideas. Also, replacements for the keyboard and mouse are long overdue!
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