# Alena Hegde

> Designer of (UX/UI) Products | Creative Strategist | Writer of Fantasy | Explorer of Nature | Keeper of a Pigmy Dragon

Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/alenahegde

Most designers talk about empathy; I spent 10+ years practicing it in peri-operative environment.
I am an orthogonal (aka divergent) thinker and UX/UI Product Designer who leverages a background in linguistics, science, and clinical healthcare to solve complex problems. I’m drawn to the "hard" problems—the ones where a clunky interface doesn't just frustrate a user, but slows down a scientist or a surgeon.
My superpower is translation: I take complex biological concepts or technical requirements and turn them into intuitive, accessible products that drive business growth.

What I bring to the table: 
• Domain: A front-line perspective on healthcare systems. • Craft: UX/UI Design, user research, and rapid prototyping (Figma/AI-assisted). • Lens: Multidisciplinary background in Linguistics (B.A.) and Environmental Science (B.S.). •Mindset: A maker’s mindset—I love to build, write, and create (whether it's an app, a novel, or a meal).
 
Portfolio site: www.alenahegde.com
Let's connect and chat:)

## Work Experience
### Freelance Designer @ Unknown
Jan 2023 – Present

### Surgical Support Tech (Sterile Processing 'n Distribution) @ Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Jan 2022 – Present | San Francisco, California, United States
Provided customer service at a high-pace, high-volume hospital: prepared surgical instruments and ensure patients' safety. Maintained rigorous quality standards and facilitated day-to-day departmental operations.

### Product Designer @ Metastate Bio
Jan 2025 – Jan 2026 | Wilmington, DE

### UX/UI Designer @ Uptown Fungus LLC
Jan 2024 – Jan 2024 | Oregon, United States
Redesigned existing Uptown Fungus' website for more efficient usability and responsiveness:

• Improved brand image by identifying key brand differentiators that informed UX and UI of the project

• Identified existing design usability issues by performing a design audit

• Expanded the app’s usability tasks by designing two stakeholder-requested features: stock table and two separate email funnels

• Implemented responsive design and optimized the site for different devices (desktop/ipad/mobile)

Impact: Site redesign led to an increase of site visits by 42% within the first two months and positive customers' feedback.

### User Experience Designer @ UC Berkeley Extension
Jan 2023 – Jan 2023
UC Berkeley UX/UI Design Career Track
222+ hours of hands-on course material, 1:1 industry expert mentor oversight, completion of 3 in-depth portfolio projects. 
Gained comprehensive experience in areas including industry standards, user research, user experience (UX) design, user interface (UI) design, usability testing, prototyping, mockups, wireframes, wireflows, style guides, interaction design, accessibility, and related disciplines.

### Surgical Support Tech (SPD Dept.) @ Sutter Health
Jan 2019 – Jan 2022 | San Francisco Bay Area

### Surgical Support Tech (SPD Dept.) @ Washington Hospital Healthcare System
Jan 2014 – Jan 2019 | Fremont, California, United States


## Education
### Professional Certificate in User Experience (UX) & User Interface (UI) Design
UC Berkeley Extension

### Bachelor of Science - BS in Environmental Science
California State University - East Bay

### Bachelor's degree in Literature&Linguistics
Belarusian State University


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/alenahegde
- Portfolio: https://www.alenahegde.com

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Source: https://flows.cv/alenahegde
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/alenahegde/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13