Chris Vargas Pérez

Where it all Began

Growing up in the Dominican Republic, a developing country in the Caribbean, taught me to be a skilled problem-solver. We were accustomed to finding unique solutions to everyday challenges. Research, design, prototyping, and testing are an integral part of our culture.

From a young age, I was fascinated with building things with Legos. As a child, I would spend hours constructing towers, bridges, and cars. However, a significant event in my life helped shape my passion for helping others through design and experimentation.

When I was eight, my mother divorced, and we moved in with her best friend and her two children. One of them had a disability and used a wheelchair. One evening, while playing, we accidentally broke a wheel on the wheelchair. To avoid getting in trouble and to help the child move around again, I quickly studied the broken piece, grabbed some Legos and tape, and made a quick fix. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but I kept iterating until it worked again.

That experience instilled in me the discipline of prototyping and experimentation with the ultimate goal of helping people.

I am passionate about helping designers reach their full potential and fostering team cultures that enable everyone to excel in their work.

Experience

I have built my career as a UX and Product Designer using the agency model, consulting for global companies such as VMLY&R & Publicis Group for many years.

In 2020, I was presented with the opportunity to establish and lead a centralized design team of five professionals for a local fintech company, Billet – a digital wallet for the unbanked.

Currently, I am the Head of Design at Qik where I am leading a team of 12 designers in the development and expansion of the region’s largest digital bank. Our mission is to revolutionize the way Latin Americans interact with money and empower them to achieve their goals.

Education

I graduated with a Bachelor of Design in 2017 and developed a strong interest in human psychology and technology. That year, I also attended RG/A’s Product and Service Design Bootcamp in New York, which marked the beginning of my career as a UX designer.

In January 2020, I completed a specialization in Interaction Design at the University of California, San Diego.

I have taken numerous courses and certifications, and in May 2022, I became officially certified as a UXC Professional with a speciality in UX Management from Nielsen Norman Group.

What I love to do

I am passionate about fostering human growth through teaching, mentoring, and learning. Likewise, I also enjoy bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to collaborate and create. I have extensive experience facilitating and participating on design sprints workshops, and I am certified in Agile Scaled Framework (SAFe).

In my free time, I enjoy playing board and video games with friends, practising yoga, and spending time with my dog Chloe. I also have a love for string instruments.

Gratitude to the Giants I’ve Stood Upon

To all of you, whether through a brief, profound conversation, a full-fledged mentorship, or simply believing in me and paving the way, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks. You’ve been the giants upon whose shoulders I’ve stood, and your impact has been immeasurable.