# Jalena Hay > Design Systems | Designing and Expanding Accessible and Internationalized Systems Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/jalena As a design system designer specializing in accessibility and internationalization, I strive to build inclusive experiences. With a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to universal design principles, I establish design systems that empower designers and developers. I have managed and led the development and implementation of design systems that prioritize accessibility and cater to localized user requirements. By collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, I ensure components, patterns, and guidelines adhere to WCAG standards. Simultaneously I work closely alongside developers, ensuring a seamless user experience across different platforms and devices. I have also worked alongside teams in Fortune 500 companies with launching and scaling their design system. I spearheaded system adoption with an overall 10x improvement in our product development practice - from the time a problem is discovered to the moment a solution is delivered to a customer. Design Systems: Style Guides, Component Libraries, Patterns Libraries, Documentation, Zeroheight, Development guidelines for Storybook, Responsive design, Jira and Workload management Design Process: Accessibility and Inclusive Design, Jira, User Flows, Information Architecture, User and Usability Testing, Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Design Thinking, Journey Mapping ## Work Experience ### Product Designer II, Gestalt Design System @ Pinterest Jan 2024 – Present ### Product Designer, Gestalt Design System @ Pinterest Jan 2024 – Jan 2024 ### Senior Designer - Design Systems @ Ford Pro Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 - Team designer in adopting new components and going through the life cycle of research, Figma building, development support, QA and release -Support Governance and Adoption - Support the component request intact, write Jira tickets, discuss work distribution and help needs from designers - Help lead the documentation direction ### Lead Designer - Design Systems @ Jay Hay Design Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 • Creating design systems for startups (foundations, components, patterns) ### Lead Product Designer - Design Systems @ Medable, Inc Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 • Managing all things Design System • Managing Designers and providing support • Governance, Accessibility and Localization, Implementation, Research, Information Architecture, Documentation, Collaboration • Design process and development from 30 weeks to 13 weeks • Overall 10x improvement in the product development practice • Works with Product Design and Engineering to create components to be responsive, fully localized and WCAG compliant and scalable • Build all components in Figma for various product lines, pillars and major features • Run meetings such as office hours, designer component consultations, spec meeting with developers • Establish adoption and governance rules related to Design Systems • Manages Jira with Engineering team to submit new/updated components • Works with designers/principals on component usage per workflow or use case • Works with Senior Leadership to prioritize business initiatives ### Senior Accessibility Designer @ Larunda Accessibility Solutions Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 • Worked with other women to assist companies with accessibility needs and solutions • Currently studying for IAAP Certification Program • Accessibility website auditor ### Senior Product Designer @ Corvus Insurance Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 •Pioneered comprehensive research initiative to uncover profitable Product Opportunities for Development (PODs); conducted customer interviews and competitive research, resulting in the identification of 3 high-potential PODs. • Orchestrated a comprehensive reorganization of Corvus Design System's architecture resulting in a 40% reduction in onboarding time for new designers and developers. ### Senior Product Designer | Design Systems | Accessibility Expert @ Upside Business Travel Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 • Executed end-to-end design for the site’s shopping and booking flow, in line with the company's quarterly OKRs, increasing feature customer retention. • Organized and maintained an adaptable Figma component library, enabling the design team to deliver high-quality designs 25% faster and reducing design hand-off time by 50%. • Accessibility advocate and educator for the design team and design system. ### UX UI Designer | User Experience Designer @ Code ON Jan 2018 – Jan 2020 • Created accessible desktop and mobile applications for clients in e-commerce, education, and tech industries. • Conducted research and usability testing, analyzed and synthesized research results, created wireframes and prototypes that successfully raised customer interaction and sales by more than 20%. ### Designer | Textile Designer | Researcher @ J.Crew Jan 2016 – Jan 2020 • Applied user research and tracked product life cycle to help determine artwork and color direction for women's, men's, and kid's designs. • Successfully raised sales of women’s clothing by 15% each season by attending research sessions with the Director and VP of Design. • Onboarded and trained new designers. • Prepared material for meetings with the Director and VP of Design. ### Head UX Designer | UI Designer | Charity App Designer | Non-profit Website Designer @ Knowbility Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 • Implemented research methods, including ADD methods, sitemap, style guide, and wireframes. • Incorporated WCAG best practices into visual design, optimizing color contrast ratios, font sizes, and readability guidelines, resulting in a 80% increase in website accessibility compliance. ## Education ### User Experience Design General Assembly ### BFA Fine Arts - With Highest Honors in Presidential Honor Roll, Drawing | Printmaking Pratt Institute ### Printmaking Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten ### International Certificate Teaching ESL ITT TEFL ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jalenahay - Portfolio: https://www.jalenahaydesign.com/ - Portfolio: https://www.jalenahay.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/jalena JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/jalena/resume.json Last updated: 2026-03-29