https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-03-05 https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/blog/opinionsonoccupation monthly 0.5 2026-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/b111fb0e-b921-41eb-a2df-d39d6ac5279c/Shorawi.jpg Stories Blog - A Tale of Two Occupations - 1979 Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 in order to bolster a faltering communist government against the local insurgency - and also to prevent the spread of religious extremism into bordering Soviet-controlled regions of Central Asia. On a side note, while I worked at Epiodyne in 2018, the CEO admitted to me that he had been in the Red Army - and had been part of this invasion. When I asked him for more details, he seemed to feel ashamed and quickly dismissed the experience: “I was young and we were stupid.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/399ca8b8-dcab-4f57-835e-330ce823b9e9/afghanistan-gettyimages-705372.jpg Stories Blog - A Tale of Two Occupations - 2001 US Invasion of Afghanistan In response to the 9/11 attacks, the US launched Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001 to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/05d2d2d8-8cc3-4992-a8d1-a265a803cc39/2021-08-26T040143Z_1447874394_RC2AAP9H097O_RTRMADP_3_AFGHANISTAN-CONFLICT-AUSTRALIA.jpg Stories Blog - A Tale of Two Occupations - 2021-2022 Withdrawal from Afghanistan For my generation (the Millennials), news of the Middle East dominated most headlines 2000 - even now. The sudden withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan came with mixed relief and fear - fear for the Afghan people left behind as the Taliban retook control. Afghanistan really does seem to be the place where (even modern) empires go to die. https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/blog/peopleofmtshasta monthly 0.5 2026-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/a312040b-02f5-4885-b72a-631b3dda4ef6/lenticulars_2025_02.jpg Stories Blog - Mysteries of Mt. Shasta, CA - Lenticular Cloud Formation Lenticular clouds regularly form around Mt. Shasta - the result of moist air bumping into obstacles like mountains that form eddies (turbulence). As a result, round stationary clouds hover at the peak. This natural phenomenon produces unique interesting weather formations - and UFO theories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/78854984-978f-49a3-8a39-111d7b2860f8/IMG_9558.JPG Stories Blog - Mysteries of Mt. Shasta, CA - Solo Summit Visit This was peak enjoyment - not a soul around, still air, just me and the mountain summit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/e03ecfe6-e9dd-4922-bac2-77880f31f4e6/shutterstock_636697006-2048x1365.jpg Stories Blog - Mysteries of Mt. Shasta, CA - Pluto’s Cave While followers of the Lemurian civilizations speak of ways to enter the mountain through vortexes, others believe that by venturing deep enough into physical entrances like Pluto Cave, one can access the city of Telos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/38e4d521-4085-4ef0-87f7-f2eacfa8b455/Screenshot+2026-01-06+at+3.00.51%E2%80%AFPM.png Stories Blog - Mysteries of Mt. Shasta, CA - Google Review for Shasta Headwaters A quick glance at the reviews for the Shasta Headwaters reveals that as much as people love to visit for the cold refreshing waters, others view it truly as a source of “love and energy.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/6c9269ed-69ca-43b1-9cc1-c2ecbe7aac31/IMG_9059.jpg Stories Blog - Mysteries of Mt. Shasta, CA - Post-MCAT Trip to Mt. Shasta! Enjoying our sunny afternoon at the Shasta Headwaters. Nothing but some spring water, perfect partner, and 10-gallon hat to cool down after an excruciatingly hot summer day. https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/blog/postww2story monthly 0.5 2026-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1623461030400-LYHZORMTBTDN85JTEUDH/bloodchit.jpeg Stories Blog - Descendants of Heroes - Example of a blood chit Likely used by an airman operating across different countries in the Pacific Theater, this blood chit contains the same message written in languages including French, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1623470221710-Q4NIR6QCM6Y0A4IXUVXA/Turf-Sport-with-flack-damage.jpeg Stories Blog - Descendants of Heroes - Douglas C-47 Skytrain Adapted from the civilian DC-3 transport plane, these C-47 Skytrains were used extensively in both the Pacific and European theaters of the war as transports for cargo as well as paratroopers. It would remain in service until the Vietnam War, when cannons were fitted to the sides to rain supporting fire down on enemy positions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1623471057783-02B0F9UV7X0KGJ9HMKWT/IMG_8858.png Stories Blog - Descendants of Heroes - The China-Burma-India Theater patch I received that day. It will always be amongst the most cherished pieces in my collection of militaria. https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/blog/skinwearingreptilians monthly 0.5 2026-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621128086299-XK0ZLBBGQ8KBKCNCFSM3/blog-rept.jpeg Stories Blog - Reptilians All Around Us - Reptilians An artist rendition on how the intergalactic beings known as the Reptilians are purported to appear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621130279778-3CC7GA02HXKN5JLWOOHB/blog-rept2.jpeg Stories Blog - Reptilians All Around Us - Reptilian Alien Are they just a conspiracy? Or do they truly walk amongst us? https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/about daily 0.75 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621293807263-6D58QK0NW2IC6XV4WNA5/IMG_7898.JPG About Nicholas is usually the only raptor trainer in any of his social circles. https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/contact-1 daily 0.75 2025-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce435d6bea1ed00016ba287/1558964652247-5MWXNMFZVOPGE4TY6U2Q/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Contact https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/design daily 0.75 2025-08-27 https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/design/hike-ranger monthly 0.5 2021-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605989550421-IIHEU1H12TKXRYFI3958/Screen+Shot+2020-11-08+at+4.15.12+PM.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? Using the results of my screener survey, I was able to capture important information regarding potential users of my app. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605989651631-W4BSHY52WEX81LVATN1N/Screen+Shot+2020-11-08+at+4.15.27+PM.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605989675269-4CAH4HMSI70994B1YOOY/Screen+Shot+2020-11-08+at+4.15.37+PM.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? Note: As part of the Springboard UI/UX design course, data on race was required to be collected to inform design decisions. I personally did not feel the need to include information about race when it came to users of a hiking app. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621479802264-SFW3WM8QBEX64HHOOQVR/affinity3.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? - Individual data points from each interview were recorded on post-its, grouped with like data, and categorized by grouping (pain points, criteria, etc.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1622138537701-KJZ95SFWA0547RSHZH32/Capstone+One+Personas.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1622138558090-2IR5BSOUT5QJ9OAX6KSK/Capstone+One+Personas+%281%29.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605990333496-T73RZWVENXBVAE0EDMM3/Jenny+Persona.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? The Jenny persona would like to get into the outdoors more, but her limited free time after work and being with friends keeps her from doing so. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605990353700-ZPQSN1TNJHF6E9AOIQ04/Michael+Persona.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? The Michael persona feels the need to get some outdoor time as well, but he’s usually too tired after work to do so. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621481999707-G7SB0U0I2ZEZLP7U8MIS/CAP+USERFLOW.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? - The user flow helps me to identify the user route and pages needed to complete the route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621482117552-D1E0WPR0SB3ZL52JQO4B/IMG_1115.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? - Multiple sketches shown in my notebook. I found that drawing them alongside one another helped to better visualize the flow they would eventually follow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605990996352-3CCD7HZQG4ENI8W7TJEU/WFEdge+Case+1.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? The sketches are made into screens which can then be used to visually piece together the user journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991072104-EOP37RM44J515A707I3I/WFWire+Flow+2.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991217480-ZH10D5PF8TRXYTLPGY4K/Brand+Platform.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? Each page of the style guide laid out the theme and reasoning of everything ranging from colors to type. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991290603-1QORK5GSDCLDAYSSR4X6/Colors.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991389035-Q7AQTS9FCA1HI4Z4T4HH/Imagery.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991361051-GTA17XTHJ7Q3FHC5KM56/Type.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991563403-K63NR1JWLF6I17FFLO1Y/screen+-+home.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991593218-8JCIQK9VJZ3YUDFKPAS1/screen+-+safety+page.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605991920921-MHL7CQIHQ4SNL157K7KI/21.3+Final+-+Language.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605992039152-RUQGW37JWF3P5U0OPFZC/21.3+Final+-+Recs.jpg Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621634400881-JTIUNTJ9L9XD4OPH4MUW/screen-updatedhome.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? The final version of the home screen. All users tested wished that there was a search bar. They also preferred that the safety banner be swapped with the recommendations in order to more easily find their recommended hikes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605992172039-GIKK3P3X40T7A4TC02QY/screen+-+home.png Design - How can hikers be prepared for the worst and experience the best? In the first iteration of the home screen, users expressed frustration at not having a search bar tool made available. https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/design/postup monthly 0.5 2021-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621558961798-OCL9KDTGNRDTIZZTCEZA/IMG_1808.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? - Two user journeys: one for finding a work location with map function, the other by setting filters with preferences A quick user journey mapped out by hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1606005930148-XM2KJNWDRAJAWOHPK7P5/sketch1.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? A set of sketches for individuals seeking a place to work based on proximity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1606006022652-EPO7Z88XESZTO5JGAWOL/sketch2.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? This set of sketches was to highlight the decision stage once filters had been set. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621559047726-6VZEJT45ISC4NTGWAVJA/IMG_1819.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? - From the sketch phase, I picked ideas I felt would be of most benefit to the user and compiled them in the low-fidelity sketches shown here https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1606006377636-514BS4UVJW62I1R06OIR/home.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? Following in the footsteps of apps like Google Maps, a search bar takes precedence atop the home page while recommendations based on previous picks are listed below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1606006406800-53TM7RG1T0IKC534JA8A/filter.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? The filters were decided upon based on my own preferences for what would influence my decision to work or not to work at different locations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1606006676184-WP9FZNXX69ST5Y68HVZZ/locationpage.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1606006699163-ZZCWM5P9T2Y75X9QVKU5/ds-directionsoruber.jpg Design - Design Sprint - How can we expediently connect remote workers to suitable work locations? The location page provides information on the place in question as well as easy ways to reserve seats, find directions, or directly call the business. Should the user choose to reserve a seat, a pop-up window would allow the user to confirm the reservation as well as call a ride share. https://nicholas-wang-portfolio.squarespace.com/design/icebreaker monthly 0.5 2021-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605995528845-GJGN3OLQUS16Y7D9RHIY/c2-EventBrite.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? Facebook, EventBrite, and MeetUp are the three leading event planning and booking platforms. Analyzing each platform’s strengths and weaknesses helped in planning a product that would elevate what the competitors do right while avoiding each platform’s downsides. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605995686492-HH9RCII4LOU62JDFLX0M/c2-Meetup.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605995420418-ZKVJIXAR9HMJCL9DDK4L/c2-Facebook.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621546426368-F7Y8I70ZQAMZXGB89SX7/icebreaker2.jpg Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? - Evoking the name and color palette of real-world icebreaking ships, the IceBreaker app seeks to shatter the barriers between prospective event participants and the events they sign up to attend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621546916412-DWIR14LAOZ44B629DCT9/UI+Kit+and+Name.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? - I felt that the UI kit/visual layout of an already highly successful mobile app would prove beneficial in my own design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621547532388-1YQHRUH0E497PPTWH7NH/Cap2LogoWhole.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? - I created a logo that would resemble both a seagoing vessel and a blade (to break the ice!). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621547109597-W09ZGLB2L81Y3H0BR5OF/cap2User+Flow+1.jpg Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? - Similar to other event planning mobile apps, the path toward finding events would be simple: find events either through calendar or searching by group. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1621547660195-E3CI164PVH9XYQ4R1BU1/30.4+WireFrame+Part1.jpg Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? - For this round of testing, I asked four test participants to show me how they would use and navigate the IceBreaker app. One test was particularly hampered by the fact that the participant was unable to clearly read the handwriting. Fortunately, the other tests went without issue. I took the opportunity during this round of testing to ask about the participants’ event browsing/attending habits and what would make them more likely to attend said events. The majority stated that a better idea of what to expect, what to bring, and seeing which friends would attend would be major deal breakers in whether they ultimately follow through with their RSVPs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605996953089-TTBTG2V8AG77RR1URLJ4/screen+-+home.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605996990662-4QGX0EIHE5FQUVSCCQCY/screen+-+favorites.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? After testing the low-fidelity sketches with several users, I took their insights and developed high-fidelity screens for another round of testing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605997086694-QWU8J772J9AUWFDDQ2GS/screen+-+eventcost.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fac7f6ccf3726491f589882/1605997129276-9T53PS5XZVF8LA71POE5/screen+-+search.png Design - How can event attendees be incentivized to attend events they've RSVP'ed to? Final versions of the IceBreaker screens after final round of user testing.