About Me

Get to know the creative mind behind the pixels

Summary

Creative UI and UX Designer with 15+ years of facilitating and supporting human interactions with complex systems and software. I clearly understand user-centered design and training in most of the standard tools in the design industry. I'm dedicated to creating simple and intuitive interfaces, from open-source applications to complex proprietary and data-driven systems. An accomplished designer with outstanding interface performance analysis, project modeling, and mapping skills. Analyzed, documented, and reported interface output challenges—critical thinker with excellent analytical background. Enthusiastic design and tech, eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills. Motivated to learn, grow, and excel in efficiency, productivity, and quality deliverables by simplifying processes and interfaces, accessibility, and usability for all.

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Overview

I’m passionate about making digital experiences seamless and intuitive. My work is grounded in human-centered design, and I enjoy diving into complex systems to find elegant, user-friendly solutions. I’m skilled in a variety of design tools and love the challenge of adapting to new platforms and technologies. With each project, I focus on clear, accessible interfaces that make tasks easier and more enjoyable for users.

Bachelor's degree: Graphic & Information Design

Years of work experience

Years of post-secondary education

Training Programs completed

Areas of Expertise

Language Competency

Areas of Expertise

With a versatile design background, I specialize in creating user-centered, data-driven interfaces and refining complex systems for optimal usability. My expertise spans from interaction design and performance analysis to accessibility, enabling seamless and effective user experiences across diverse platforms.

Analytics and data-driven decisions I leverage analytics to drive data-informed decisions for optimal user experience.

certified
Design Thinking I apply design thinking methodology to empathize, ideate, prototype, test, and iterate toward user-centered solutions.

certified
User-centered design I create intuitive and engaging experiences by designing with users in mind.

certified
User interview I conduct user interviews to gather insights into user needs and preferences

certified
User Testing I validate designs with real users to ensure effective and efficient experiences.

certified
Visual Communication, UI & UX I craft visually appealing and intuitive interfaces that optimize user experience.

Usability I ensure usability through effective and efficient design and testing practices that prioritize user needs and preferences.

certified
Front-End Dev. & CMS (HTML, CSS) I transform designs into responsive and accessible web experiences through front-end development and CMS management.

certified
Accessibility (508, WCAG, USWDS) I design inclusive and accessible digital solutions for all users, adhering to accessibility standards.
Wireframing & Prototyping I bring ideas to life through low- and high-fidelity prototypes to test and iterate on designs.
Agile Methodologies I collaborate in flexible and adaptive agile processes to deliver value and meet user needs.
Digital Marketing I use effective digital marketing strategies to connect with and engage audiences.

Work History

Every career journey starts with a single step, and mine began with a foundation in Industrial and Graphic Design. This path naturally transitioned into Web Design, where I developed a keen interest in digital experiences, leading me to master front-end development and Product Design. Over time, I focused more deeply on UX/UI Design, ultimately evolving into a UX Strategist role, where I bridge design thinking with strategic insight. Each transition has enriched my expertise, allowing me to craft user-centered solutions that are both visually engaging and strategically effective.

Senior UX/UI Designer. UX Research

Synergy BIS (USDA Contractor)
Sep 2022 → Dec 2022

Delivering guides, user flows and effectively communicating interaction ideas by using standard methods like wireframing and prototypes
Communicated with product managers and UX designers to translate project requirements and business objectives into polished user interfaces.
Integrated UI features complying with prescribed code standards and technical design guidelines.
Used wireframes, mock-ups, and prototypes to establish user interface design and architecture.
Drove UI requirements through to implementation, complete with accurate sizing estimates and task breakdowns.
Used Agile Scrum model to deliver solutions with a high level of flexibility and adaptability.
Worked with project managers, and business analysts to create intuitive and easy-to-use software.
Recommended design changes and iterative updates to IT manager.
Conducted live user testing of components and functionality to evaluate the effectiveness of designs and enhancements.
Converted abstract ideas and requirements into user personas and storyboards.
Designed UIs within frontend web frameworks, exploiting associated templates and tools to shorten development times.

Senior UX/UI Designer. UX Research

ASM Research - An Accenture Federal Services Company (USDA Contractor)
Jan 2022 → Sep 2022

Communicated with product managers and UX designers to translate project requirements and business objectives into polished user interfaces.
Converted abstract ideas and requirements into user personas and storyboards.
Worked closely with UX and product teams to define visual and functional requirements.
Used Agile Scrum model to deliver solutions with high level of flexibility and adaptability.
Verified program logic using testing and debugging best practices.

Senior UX/UI Designer. UX Research

Ace Info Solutions Inc. - A Guidehouse Company (USDA Contractor)
Sep 2019 → Jan 2022

Worked with customers to understand needs and provide solutions to complex scenarios, data management, and interactions.
Maximized system performance, enhancing the end-user experience by applying iterative back-end development updates.
Monitored emerging UX design trends and practices for useful techniques and cutting-edge developments suitable for integration into future projects.
Participated in design review meetings to brainstorm new UX developments through collaborative thinking.
Performed manual testing on UX design elements and complete UX designs, authoring feedback reports for use in future updates.
Presented UX designs and solutions to senior staff, evangelizing for user-centric design decisions.
Created maps, models, and templates for diverse projects.
Devised diagrams to outline system interactions and sequences underpinning interfaces.
Drove UI requirements through to implementation, complete with accurate sizing estimates and task breakdowns.
Used the Agile Scrum model to deliver solutions with a high level of flexibility and adaptability.
Integrated UI features complying with prescribed code standards (508, USWDS, and WCAG compliance) and technical design guidelines.

Lead UX/UI Designer

AlsoEnergy Inc
Oct 2016 → Sep 2019

Defining UI guidelines, interaction, and visual design for web applications and mobile products
Providing UX strategic direction for the Enterprise Software’s development.
Improved and expanded project platforms using React JavaScript to develop rich User Interfaces.
Developed application UIs via emerging front-end technologies.
Collaborated with teammates to deliver valuable features meeting business and customer needs.
Recommended design changes and iterative updates to the IT manager.
Integrated UI features complying with prescribed code standards and technical design guidelines.
Identified, documented, and reported on technical factors impacting interface performance.
Researched and proposed new solutions to make web apps more user-friendly.
Participated in design review meetings to brainstorm new UX developments through collaborative thinking.
Presented UX designs and solutions to senior staff, evangelizing for user-centric design decisions.

Web Designer. UX/UI Designer

ACM Dev & Graphics
Feb 2016 → Oct 2016

Creating complete visual designs for web and mobile app projects.
Researched new design technology and tools to bolster professional skill sets and drive quality deliverables.
Identified design requirements for each project.
Learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, and engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
Distilled complex features and content into simple visual elements.
Collaborated cross-functionally on projects and advocated for specific requirements of designs with production teams.
Used wireframes, mock-ups, and prototypes to establish user interface design and architecture.

Senior Web Designer, UX Designer

Gleim Publication
Sep 2015 → Feb 2016

Enhancing software interface and dashboards by improving the usability, ease of use, and pleasure provided in the interaction between the customer and the products.
Presented UX designs and solutions to senior staff, evangelizing for user-centric design decisions.
Multi-tasked across multiple functions and roles to meet deadlines and organizational expectations.
Discussed site and app requirements with clients to produce actionable development plans.

Senior Graphic, Webmaster and UI Designer

Alcance Media Group (USDA Contractor)
12/2006 → 05/2015

Usability, design, and development of user interfaces for mobile applications
UI Designer with iOS/Android app management experience.
Developed display, marketing, and packaging materials to support product branding strategies.
Operated in a global development environment, working across multiple time zones and cultures.
Recommended design changes and iterative updates to the IT manager.
Determined coding requirements for specialized scripts.
Integrated UI features complying with prescribed code standards and technical design guidelines.
Generated web hosting presence to accommodate specified needs and maintain files on the account.
Created a broad range of work using various design techniques.
Developed application UIs via emerging front-end technologies.
Validated third-party code to comply with internal standards and technical requirements.

Skills

Expertise in UX/UI Design, front-end development, Design Systems, and responsive/mobile app design. Skilled in Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, usability, prototyping, and team collaboration to deliver effective, user-centered experiences.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Illustrator

Wireframing Tools

Balsamiq, NinjaMock, Moqups and Whimsical

UI Design Tools

Sketch and Figma

Prototyping Tools

UXPin, Justinmind and Axure RP

UX Design Collaboration Tools

Smaply, Zeplin, FigJam and Miro

Project Management Tools

Jira, Confluence and Asana,

Methodologies & Systems

Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Design Thinking/User-centered design

Web Design/Dev.

HTML5, CSS 3

OpenSource and CMS

WordPress, Joomla!, Drupal and SharePoint

Utility & Accessibility

W3C - WCAG, and Section 508 (government)

Design Systems & UI Components frameworks

Material, iOS, IBM (Carbon kit Design System), Bootstrap, Progress Kendo UI (Angular and React), Semantic UI, Element UI, and custom from scratch

Languages

English

Professional working proficiency

Spanish

Native or bilingual proficiency

Portuguese

Elementary proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree - Accreditation in the US

Institution: Syracuse University. College of Visual and Performing Arts
Major: Graphic Design
Jan 2012 → May 2013

Qualifying Experience and Training: At least twelve years
Field of Experience and Training: Graphic Design
Countries: Cuba, Chile, and the United States of America
Academic Equivalent in the United States: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design
Prepared by: Heath Hanlin, MFA,
Associate Professor of Transmedia College of Visual and Performing Arts, Syracuse University.
Location: Department of transmedia \ 102 Shaffer Art I Syracuse, NY 13244 v. 315.443.1033 f. 315 443.1303

Adobe® Certificate of IEP Completion Program, TCI

Institution: TCI – Adobe Authorized Training Center, Santiago, Chile
Major: Web Design
Jan 2003 → Feb 2005

PHP MySQL development
Web Design
HTML
CSS
jQuery

Bachelor’s Degree

Institution: IPDI – Polytechnic Institute Ind. Design, Havana, Cuba
Major: Graphic & Information Design
Sep 1993 → Jul 1997

Graphic Design
Industrial Design
Information Design

Courses & Certifications

User Research Methods and Best Practices

Certification #: 37027-2023-174107
By: IxDF – Interaction Design Foundation
June 19, 2023 – No expiration

I am pleased to share that I have earned yet another Certificate of Completion with a Top 10% Distinction.

Through this course, I have mastered how to:

Conduct user research, such as interviews and observations, to ensure that designs are relevant and provide a great user experience.
Plan user research projects that are valid and ethically sound.
Reduce time and cost of product design and development by fitting user research into design processes in the most optimal way.
Provide actionable insights to stakeholders by effectively communicating user research project results.

Using Google Forms to Analyze User Research Data

Certification #: H2K7F7YXXRDU
By: Coursera
Nov 21, 2015 – No expiration

Throughout the course, I learned how to create effective surveys using Google Forms, including best practices for designing questions, formatting the study, and setting up response validation. I also gained practical experience in analyzing survey data using Google Sheets, including techniques for cleaning and organizing data, calculating descriptive statistics, and visualizing data using charts and graphs.

Additionally, the course emphasized the importance of careful data interpretation, including methods for identifying patterns and trends in survey responses and potential biases or limitations of the data.

Finally, I learned about effective strategies for sharing survey results and recommendations with stakeholders, including best practices for creating clear and compelling reports and presentations.

Completing this course has equipped me with valuable skills and knowledge for designing and analyzing user research surveys and effectively communicating insights and recommendations to stakeholders.

Interaction Design for Usability

Certification #: 37027-2022-174085
By: IxDF – Interaction Design Foundation
June 6, 2022 – No expiration

I am proud to have earned the Certificate above, which verifies that I have completed the Interaction Design for Usability course with a Top 10% Distinction.

Through this course, I have mastered how to:

Carry out a design process that focuses on people’s needs to ensure that designs are easy and pleasurable.
Integrate user-centered design into lean and agile development processes to ensure that all work creates customer value.

Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design

Certification #: 8Y5339EVRJQ3
By: Google
May 3, 2021 – No expiration

As someone who has completed this course, I'm now able to:

Define the field of UX and explain why it's essential for consumers and businesses.
Understand foundational concepts in UX design, such as user-centered design, the design process, accessibility, and equity-focused design.
Identify the factors that contribute to excellent user experience design
Identify and account for biases in UX research.

Axure RP 8 - Comprehensive training for UX Design

Certification #: UC-DQT1UM74
By: Udemy
Nov 2, 2019 – No expiration

Having completed this course, I am now capable of the following:

Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes for web and mobile at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Practical knowledge of using conditional logic, math, function, and expression in your prototype.
Expertise in creating dynamic, data-driven prototypes.

PWA Progressive and Responsive Web Apps + Angular

Certification #: UC-FLAQRLA4
By: Udemy
Dec 15, 2019 – No expiration

I have acquired the following skills:

Create Progressive Web Applications (PWA)
Make websites adaptable to any screen
Progressive web applications in Angular

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