AK

Ashwin Krishan

Software Engineering student at Western University · London, Ontario

I build software, manage projects, and make photos and films. I'm studying Software Engineering at Western and building Focalis, a desktop photo editor that doesn't need a subscription. This past summer I was a Junior Project Manager at Icon Media Communications, on the drive-thru tech refresh across 1,100+ McDonald's locations in Canada. I've run my own photo and video studio, ADK Media, since 2020.

01 Projects

Things I've built and shipped.

Desktop appIn progress

Focalis

A desktop app to replace Adobe Lightroom, built around two complaints: the subscription model and slow, clunky culling. It starts with a culling engine for Sony cameras that uses autofocus-point metadata and local sharpness analysis to pick the keepers. Open-core: the engine is public, the full app is private.

  • Python
  • OpenCV
  • Tauri
  • Rust
  • React
  • TypeScript
  • SQLite
Read more → focalis-engine on GitHub: soon
Icon Media Communications2026

OpsBridge

A browser-based workflow tool I built during my PM internship to run the national McDonald's drive-thru tech rollout across 1,100+ locations. It cut daily ops overhead by 95%.

  • React
  • JavaScript
Read more → Internal tool, no public link
Community2026

Temple photo gallery

Photo gallery for my temple's community, with an automated pipeline that syncs photos from Google Drive into Cloudflare R2 using GitHub Actions. Part of the media and web work I've led there since 2020.

  • Next.js
  • Vercel
  • Cloudflare R2
  • GitHub Actions
  • Google Drive API
Studio2020 to now

ADK Media

The photo and video studio I started in high school in 2020. 15+ clients across the GTA, from fashion shows and events to content that helps small businesses grow.

  • Photography
  • Video
  • Events
Read more → adkmedia.ca ↗
Hardware

Hailo

Arduino-based system that measures the kinetic energy of hailstones, using laser tripwires for speed and a load cell for mass. Placed 2nd at the Western Engineering Design Competition out of 900+ participants.

  • Arduino
  • C++

02 Experience

Internships and where I've worked.

  1. May 2026 to Aug 2026

    Junior Project Manager, Intern

    Icon Media Communications

    PM on the national drive-thru refresh across 1,100+ McDonald's locations in Canada, focused on the data and networking side of the rollout. Coordinated install teams and technicians coast to coast, and built OpsBridge to automate the daily ops work.

  2. May 2025 to Aug 2025

    Software Engineering Intern

    iVedha Inc

    Built and maintained 4+ web apps in Python, JavaScript and React used by 200+ people, working through features, code reviews and debugging with a team of six, and deployed client work with cloud and CI/CD tools.

  3. Jun 2024 to Sep 2024

    Project Manager

    Hatch Coding

    Led development of Science Studio, a companion app for CrunchLabs' STEM kits, with a 50+ person team. Shipped 25+ kits, each with a design element, a software puzzle and a knowledge test.

  4. Jun 2022 to Aug 2022

    Software Developer

    Hatch Coding

    Designed and built 80+ coding starter kits on Replit, covering every language the platform supported.

  5. Sep 2020 to present

    Founder

    ADK Media

    Photo and video for 15+ clients across the GTA, working directly with each one on content that grows their audience.

Also: STEAM instructor and later camp supervisor at Markham Public Library (2022 to 2025), and a mridangam teacher at Thamil Isai Kalaamanram since 2024.

03 Toolkit

What I work with.

Languages

Frameworks and platforms

Project management

Photo and video

Hover or tap a skill to see where I've used it.

Recognition

  • 2nd place, Western Engineering Design CompetitionHailo · out of 900+ participants
  • Dean's List, Western Engineering2024 to 2025 · 3.7 GPA
  • Class of 1972 Jazz ScholarshipUniversity of Toronto Schools · 2024
  • AP Scholar with HonorCollege Board · 2024
  • Teacher's Grade, MridangamThamil Isai Kalaamanram · 2024

04 About

The longer version.

I'm a Software Engineering student at Western University, originally from Markham. I like starting things: a photo and video studio in high school, the website and photo pipeline for my temple's community, and now a photo editor I'd actually want to use.

Before Western I spent six years at University of Toronto Schools, where I played percussion in the senior orchestra and drums in the stage band, was the school photographer, and co-produced Nocturne 2024, the school's music night for alumni and donors.

At Western I've been a Student Ambassador, Director of Marketing for the Pre-Business Students' Network, and part of Western Formula Racing's media team. I'm working towards my CAPM, I've led media and web for my temple since 2020, and I teach mridangam. When I'm not building something, I'm probably behind a camera, behind a drum kit, or making coffee.

05 Contact

Get in touch.

Want to work together or just say hi? I'd like to hear from you.

[email protected]