Our team
Yu Centrik is headed by the two business 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 some team members:
- Joëlle Stemp, President - User Experience Expert
- Chrystel Black, Vice-president - Usability Expert
- Pierre-Alexandre Lapointe, M. Ing., User Experience Director
- Marcio Leibovitch, User Experience Director
- Karine Grandé, Usability Expert
- Alice R. Malisia, ing. jr, Usability Expert
- Jay Vidyarthi, User Experience Designer / Research Co-ordinator
- Marie-Lyse Hamel, Usability Expert
- Cecile Genkin, Administration Manager
Joëlle Stemp
President and User Experience Expert
Joëlle Stemp is an associate and President at Yu Centrik. She studied communications and started her career as a UI designer. For five years she was part of a User Interface Research Team at Montreal Computer Research Center (CRIM). She is an HFI’s Certified Usability Analyst.
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 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.
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 interactive products from websites to itv applications.
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 (Montreal School of Commerce).
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 follies
My brother and I chasing after and hopping onto a little train that used to take us to the beach. We enjoyed it a lot until I eventually missed a step and my head landed quite close to the tracks. It was quite the fright! It caused me to sit in the compartment for a long time and think.
Personal dream
To expand Yu Centrik services world wide; I am almost there!
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!
Technological irritant
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
Real virtual banking.
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 follies
The first time I ran away … when I was 4!
Personal dream
To avoid consuming more than mother nature can regenerate…
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.
Technological irritant
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 Taleo, Passeport Santé, Tourisme Cantons de l’Est, 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 follies
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!
Technological irritant
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, Tata Communications, Canadian Institute for Health Information 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 follies
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.
Technological irritant
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 is a full member of Yu Centrik’s, she excels in analyzing human behaviour and in testing IVRs. Her knowledge of cognitive science is highly valuable for the team.
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 follies
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!
Technological irritant
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..
Alice R. Malisia, ing. jr
Usability Expert
Alice holds a MASc. degree specializing in the field of intelligent systems from 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.
Since she joined Yu Centrik team, Alice has worked on complex UI designs and has come out as a master performing usability testing.
Alice loves languages: she is fluent in English, French and Portuguese, and has a good 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.
Jay Vidyarthi
User Experience Designer / Research Co-ordinator
Jay Vidyarthi has explored various avenues of human-computer interaction including academic research, web usability and user interface design.
He has a background in cognitive psychology from McGill University where he studied the human psychological tendencies which give rise to modern design principles. Jay uses a free-thinking approach to synthesize his diverse experience into unique and elegant design solutions.
His talent for analysis and his ability for design have brought him to work on various projects from analysis, design to evaluating user interfaces. His sense of humor and his ease to speak in public make him an important member of Yu Centrik team.
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!
Marie-Lyse Hamel
Usability Expert
Marie-Lyse holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from HEC Montréal (Hautes Etudes Commerciales), where she chose to take optional courses in e-commerce.
Working in the Web industry for the last 5 years, she has participated in the analysis, design and redesign of several websites and information systems. This is what eventually developed in her a strong enthusiasm for user interface design and ergonomics, which ultimately pushed her towards Yu Centrik.
Marie-Lyse is currently completing a Masters Degree in interface ergonomics at École Polytechnique de Montreal..
Mantra
In life, everything happens for a reason!
Childhood memory
My first business project at the age of 10: a mini neighborhood insectarium. We all had our own booth! 50 cents for children, 75 for teens and $1 for adults. A cheap price to pay for having a group of kids teach you about a dozen insects in the neighbor’s yard!
Youthful follies
Taking a break in my studies to venture across the world with a friend. The only thing we knew was our final destination: Spain. Everything else was a series of unexpected events. Wow, I’d do it again anytime.
Personal dream
More and more travels, learn to speak several languages, discover new cultures…
Musical inspiration
World music … reggae, calypso, dub, etc. It makes me want to dance wherever I am.
Cult film
The Sex and the City series… does that count?
First contact with technology
My debut on an Apple computer… in my kindergarten class. Little did I know that this mysterious rainbow apple logo would make so much progress!
Technological irritant
Changing passwords! Especially when I’m in a hurry: “Your password is too simple, does not contain enough characters.’’ Grrr…
Future technology
The famous machine that will get us out of bed, dressed and combed… just like in the Jetsons!
Cecile Genkin
Administration Manager
Cecile Genkin has a degree in business affairs of the Escuela Superior de Comercio Carlos Pelegrini, in Argentina; and an extensive background in computerized financial management.
She has over 20 years experience in the financial administration field. Since her arrival in Canada 12 years ago, she has successively worked in accounting and administration for various companies. At Yu Centrik, Cecilia holds the position of Administration Manager, where she was introduced to the knowledge of the interaction between humans and machines, for which she was already fascinated.
Mantra
To persevere is to succeed; and also, always see the glass half full.
Childhood memory
Ringing the neighbor’s door bell and run away after. Enter my grandmother’s kitchen through the window to steal the cookies she had just made.
Youthful folly
Leave a nightclub at 6 am, and watch a fire until 8:30am. Go home after and receive a slap from my mother who was hiding behind the door, worried sick because I didn’t get home earlier.
Personal dream
To live 6 months in the summer and in Buenos Aires the other 6 months.
Musical inspiration
Arjona, Montaner and Queen.
Cult book
La gesta del Marrano de Marcos Aguinis and Las venas abiertas de América Latina d’Eduardo Galeano.
First contact with technology
The VCR and the video games on their arrival in Argentina in the ‘80s.
Future technology
The time travel and tele-transportation.