Over fifteen years of proven design experience in the digital product design (ux/ui) field.
I combine human empathy and intelligent data to create effective strategies, powerful and memorable identities, and unique experiences to connect humans to brands and organizations.
I prefer agile, multi-project roles and can lead a team or work as the only creative in the room. I have worked with many cross-functional teams and know the path to success. My relationships with product managers and engineering have created some of the best work and successes.
Third Sector Intelligence (3Si) | Sr. UX Designer (Jun 2023 – July 2024)
Complex dashboard designs for a data software company that helps governments and other partners use data to improve the lives of children.
Lofty | Director of User Experience (Jul 2022 – Apr 2023)
Within a data-centric software consultancy renowned for delivering exceptional user interfaces, I spearheaded the creation and development of the first UX department. Through this initiative, I ensured the implementation of best practices to deliver user interfaces that are comprehensive, easy to use, timely, and visually appealing.
Projects focused on data heavy and geo-spatial applications in the Agriculture, Energy and Environmental sectors.
Momentum Design Lab | Sr. User Experience Designer (Nov 2020 – Jul 2022)
Lead strategy sessions, discovery research and UX testing interviews for clients focusing on better user experience and product across both web and mobile platforms as well as brand strategy. Clients included Toyota Motor Corp, Nasdaq and BetterHelp.com.
Albertsons Company | Senior Product Designer | Freelance (Jun 2021 – Dec 2021)
Applied extensive research to discover grocery buying trends and user behaviors as it progressed through the pandemic. Formulated designs that pushed the boundaries of users experience to food shopping and food preparation. The result was a brand new food experience for a major retailer who was struggling to keep up with the grocery trends.
FrienTap | Founding Team | Design (Sept 2020 – Oct 2021)
Tasked with redesigning an app that was faltering, we revised it and pivoted. As the design lead, I played a crucial role in the development of the mobile app and identity. Through extensive market research, I established the app’s purpose and identified its target audience and created detailed user personas to better understand their needs. Using these insights, I wire-framed the app’s layout, ensuring a seamless user experience. I then designed the user interface (UI), focusing on aesthetics, usability, and brand consistency.
Springboard | Design Mentor (Apr 2020-Aug 2023)
Hiatus (Sept 2019 – Apr 2020)
Explored the United States and Mexico.
Shutterfly | Senior UX Designer (Jan 2019- Aug 2019)
In collaboration with product and engineering teams, I tackled challenging and multifaceted issues related to the photo-sharing experience across mobile and web platforms. To quantify outcomes effectively, I employed diverse user testing methodologies, both remotely and in-person.The result was a +10% increase in purchases in all products and +15% in new customer acquisitions.
Academy of Art University | Part Time UX/UI Instructor (Dec 2014 – Jun 2018)
As the premier visual design instructor I challenged students to apply rigorous design process, visual principles, user experience, and strategy to create innovative design projects. Classes ranged from beginner to advanced.As the leading visual design educator, I motivated students to engage in a rigorous design process that encompassed visual principles, user experience, and strategic thinking, with the aim of generating innovative design projects. The classes catered to learners across various skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
Fujitsu | Visual Designer (Jun 2015 – Feb 2016) Collaborated with a software agency to help build Fujitsu’s first mobile app for an IoT residential thermostat (think Nest). Under a tight deadline I started with a list of requirements and finalized with high fidelity comps and developer assets.
EARLIER CAREER OF NOTE:
9+ / YouWeb Incubator | UX/UI Designer
UX/UI designer for YouWeb’s start-up incubator teams. Advised, guided, assisted teams on identity development, naming, icons, UX, UI, wireframes, comps, concepts, high fidelity designs. Teams included Discord, ChapterBooks, Cufflinq.
Beem (start up) | UI Designer
As the creative on the team, my role was execution of product concepts, wireframes, prototypes, high fidelity comps, and developer assets for a social music app (think Spotify).
Acer Computers | Visual Designer
Worked in close collaboration with UX designers to re-envision the Acer photo experience using concepts, wireframes, high fidelity comps for mobile, web and home devices.
MobilePosse | UX/UI Designer
Created high level concept mobile design, wireframes, IA, prototypes and developer assets for the news based mobile app released globally on Android devices.
PALM | Visual Designer
Designed apps for the native WebOS; Photos, Notes, Amazon Music, Excel.
The Oya Group | Art Director
Graphic and web and brand designer for an advertising agency in Silicon Valley. (Postini)
MANAGEMENT SKILLS
SOFTWARE
Technology
Acer Computers
Palm WebOS
Cisco
Google
Nasdaq Private Markets
Ribbit Mobile
Ecommerce – b2c
Albertsons Companies
eBay
Gap
Shutterfly
American Express
Fujitsu
Betterhelp.com
Other
Toyota Motors
Third Sector Intelligence
US Marines
Design Agency
Momentum Design Labs
Lofty Labs
Spring Studio
The Oya Group
Quantum Communications
MDG Agency
Genus Group
BBDA
Ogilivy One
Aleks is an amazing designer and I would want her on my team any day! She is a great design partner with her vast knowledge of design thinking, UX and UI. She is innovative, creative and extremely customer focused.
Aleks quickly made a positive impact not only on individual client projects but also across the company as a whole by challenging our processes to be more inclusive of and driven by user designs. She can teach and mentor, define and lead, as well as create functionally beautiful designs for digital products.
She's one of those people who is both highly creative and very hard working. Her excitement and passion for design is contagious, which quickly gets others on the team aligned on the vision. From here it's focus all the way to deliver a rigorous and well thought out piece of work.
