Hi, I’m Eli (like Ellie), a New York City-based product designer with a business degree. With over a decade of experience in digital technology, I excel in crafting user experiences and strategies that drive business growth and deliver profound customer value.
Some of the clients:
Newell Brands
Chase
Heem
PS Dept.
Vaunte
Software Skills:
Figma
Webflow
Zeplin
InVision
User Testing
Fullstory
Photoshop
Illustrator
Davinci Resolve
Development Literacy
Strategic Skills:
UX Methodology
Design System
Business Strategy
Content Strategy
Marketing Strategy
Time Management
Project Management
Team Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Languages:
Bilingual English / Korean
From Startups to Corporations:
Passion for Design & Strategy
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Business with a specialization in Marketing, enriched by 4 years of rigorous training at two of the world's top design schools: Parsons in New York City and the University of the Arts London. This elite educational journey laid a solid foundation for my multifaceted career in the digital technology sector, spanning over a decade. Initially, I directed my focus towards strategic roles, including positions as a content director, lead merchandiser, and creative manager in digital commerce technology.
My pathway was profoundly influenced by the realization of how critical exceptional user experience is for success in digital commerce. Motivated by this insight, I pivoted to product design, aiming to create optimal user experiences that not only drive siginificant revenue but also provide immense value to users. This shift marked a significant evolution in my career, as I now leverage my comprehensive background to enhance user satisfaction and business performance.
As a Senior Product Designer, my approach uniquely combines creativity, strategic insight, and empirical validation through A/B testing to address real-world challenges. By ensuring the seamless integration of design systems, I enhance the efficacy and scalability of design solutions, reinforcing their impact on both business objectives and user satisfaction.
In my spare time, besides engaging in outdoor activities like yoga, riding a bicycle, boxing, jogging, and travelling, I've found great joy in strolling—a time when I can deeply immerse myself in critical thinking. This has been my favorite meditation and rejuvenation ritual since I was a teenager. If someone were to ask me what the single most important value in my life is, I would say it's 'growth'.
Education:
Become an AI Product Designer
Maven (2024)
Webflow Developer
Webflow University (2024)
Professional UX Degree
Baymard Institute (2023)
Design System Bootcamp
Maven (2023)
Advanced Figma Academy
Maven (2023)
UX Academy
Design Lab (2019)
Human-Centered Design
University of California San Diego (2018)
Customer Analytics
Wharton School (2018)
Mastering Business Models
Strategyzer (2018)
Visual Design / Fashion Design Technology
University of Arts London (2012)
Communication Design / Fashion Studies
Parsons School of Design (2009)
BBA Marketing
James Madison University (2007)
Business Plan
Antwerp University (2006)
Approach:
Business Strategy
The very first step involves initiating alignment among business goals, user goals, and product goals. This alignment is a cornerstone of the UX strategy we implement, working closely with various key stakeholders through exercises like the Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas. This stage also necessitates collaborative effort from the team. Additionally, we establish how the success of this alignment will be measured, define KPI, outline the feedback process, and ensure that the project focuses on the most impactful features for the business.
Mind Map
The second step involves creating a mind map, leveraging insights from a variety of research efforts. This includes competitive analysis, current design audits, and specifically, research from the Baymard Institute to adopt best practices. By synthesizing data such as user personas, journey maps, and insights into a mind map, I aim to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the user experience within the broader market landscape. This stage is critical, and I dedicate the majority of my time to it, ensuring a deep and nuanced grasp of the project's context and user needs.
Design & Prototype
The design stage begins by ideating 1-3 concepts based on the mind map. Next, we start building a design system to streamline the process and enhance scalability throughout the design operation strategy. Once the design is aligned, we proceed to create various prototypes, optimizing interactions to fulfill the required tasks. This phase encompasses user testing, A/B testing, design stakeholder reviews, conversations with developers, and leadership share-outs.
Validation & Iteration
During the validation phase, we use real data gathered from various efforts, including user interviews, user testing, and A/B testing, to iterate towards the winning experiences.
User Acceptence Testing
We review the implemented features to ensure all designs have been correctly implemented. This is the last step before launching the new experience. It is crucial to work directly with the development team to troubleshoot any issues that arise during this stage.