Blogs

The Ethics Crisis: AI-Powered Dark Patterns

Posted on 2025-11-03 (2025-11-08) by Vernard

Image: Ai dark patterns manupilating a person

Manipulative AI-driven design is eroding ethics, empathy, and user autonomy in modern technology. […]

We Did it!

Posted on 2025-07-14 (2026-02-10) by Vernard

Image: The Boston Public Market, Boston, MA

After several years of planning, we left everything: Philippines, Seattle, and Vegas, for Massachusetts—and we’re finally in the place where we want to belong. […]

“Set Up to Fail”: A Wrongful Termination Tale

Posted on 2023-03-27 (2026-10-30) by Vernard

I’ve been laid off, terminated, or just left to find new opportunities throughout my professional life. For all the times that happened, I walked out, peacefully, without regrets, and with no drama.

Not in March 2023. This was different. For the first time, (I know) I was wrongfully terminated. […]

Hi! My name is!

Posted on 2022-01-01 (2026-09-03) by Vernard

Mercader. Vernard Mercader. 😂🤔 Filipino-American, born in the Philippines, otherwise known as the country where karaoke is treated less like entertainment and more like a constitutional right. As a kid, I was always drawn toward arts and design. Drawing things. Taking things apart mentally. Wondering why some things “felt right” visually and others looked like […]