Many conversations about AI and design stay surface level. This one doesn’t. Allan Ziolkowski, Head of Product Design at Beyond Identity, will walk you through how his team went from Figma-first to fully AI-first in a matter of weeks, working inside a complex enterprise product environment.

You will leave with a practical framework you can apply immediately and bring back to your team: how to build a code-based design sandbox, how to enforce your design system as guardrails so AI output stays consistent, and how to move your team into shared repos with engineering so design intent ships to production exactly as intended. Every example comes from work that is live in production today.

DATE TIME: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 6:00-8:00 pm.

LOCATION: In-Person Event at Impact Hub Ottawa (123 Slater Street, 7th floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 5H2).

• NOTE: The venue is in a high-rise building, and the entry doors on the ground floor/street level lock automatically at 7pm.

REGISTRATION: (Free!) https://www.meetup.com/capchi/events/313966571/ 

About Allan Ziolkowski
Allan Ziolkowski is Head of Product Design at Beyond Identity, where he leads an AI-first design team building enterprise identity and security software. Allan spent six years at Apple as a Designer in the Special Projects Group, designing AI and machine learning tooling for internal data training. He was one of the initial UX design professors for the mobile application design and development program at Algonquin College and still serves a mentor with Latinas in Tech. With 14 years in product design, two awarded design patents, Allan is recognized for bridging deep craft with engineering rigor.

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A Space for Community and Support

Beyond the talk, we recognize the importance of fostering a strong UX and design community—especially in light of the recent news about Algonquin College suspending its Human-Centred Design program. The decision to halt new student admissions after Fall 2025 is a significant loss to the local UX ecosystem.

Now, more than ever, we must come together to support, uplift, and advocate for the growth of human-centered design. Events like this serve not only as learning opportunities but also as spaces for connection, mentorship, and solidarity.

We hope to see you there. Let’s keep the spirit of UX alive.
Spread the word and bring a friend!

 

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About The Venue

Impact Hub Ottawa is situated on the 7th floor of a high-rise building and at 7pm the entry doors on the ground floor/street level lock automatically. We will monitor the doors a bit past the lock time and tape a note to the door with a number to contact for entry. Water, tea and coffee are provided for free, but food will not be available. You are welcome to bring your own snack. No alcoholic beverages please. If you like to head out for a drink afterwards, there are various options near by to do so.

 

Our Sponsors

We are extremely grateful to these organizations for their generous support of CapCHI and the local UX community. 

Design Centered Co.
https://designcentered.co/

Design Centered Co. is a leading UX and digital transformation agency, recognized for delivering inclusive, sustainable, and impact-driven solutions. We help organizations create meaningful change through user-centered design and innovative strategies.

 

DFFRNT
https://dffrnt.ca We’re an exceptional team of highly experienced behavioural researchers and design strategists. We apply a fundamental understanding of human behaviour, strategic design and human-computer interaction to deliver product and service design value.  

 

Jumping Elephants
https://www.jumpingelephants.ca  Jumping Elephants is a full-service, consulting group based in Ottawa and specializing in user-centred solutions design and business process management for the public and private sector. 

 

Nokia
http://www.nokia.com

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. We put the world’s people, machines, and devices in sync to create a more sustainable, productive, and accessible future.

 

 

About CapCHI

CapCHI (www.capchi.org) is a social and professional society of people who work as user interface designers, researchers, educators, software developers, web designers, graphic designers and human factors engineers in and around Canada’s National Capital Region. Founded in 1991, CapCHI’s goal is to bring together local professionals interested in how humans and computers interact, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

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