# Marina Semez > Senior Product Designer Location: Seattle, Washington, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/marinasemez I've been working in the product design space for 7 years, both at the corporate level and at startups in design teams of 1-3. Staying on top of my skills outside of work through NNG courses (Design Tradeoffs, Emerging Patterns in Interface Design, The One-Person UX Team) and design books (Design Tradeoffs, Creative Confidence, Branded Interactions). Experienced in leading design systems, user research studies and interviews, auditing and bringing attention to accessibility, and actively participating in cross-team conversations and debates around goals, scope, and deliverables. ## Work Experience ### Senior Product Designer @ WellSaid Labs Jan 2022 – Present | Seattle, Washington, United States ### Product Designer @ Aloft Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 | Seattle, Washington, United States Was the first designer hired at Aloft, a start-up building software for the antiquated appraisal industry. Took roadmap projects from start to finish while building a vault of user-research documentation and reconceptualizing the brand and its design system to align with accessibility and company mission. • Developed user archetypes based on user interviews • Presented UX explorations to PMs, Marketing, and Engineer teams for feedback • Created a UI component library in Figma from scratch • Outlined user flows and mapped information architecture • Created templates for user interviews and user testing sessions • Built meaningful relationships with our in-house users in order to adequately represent their needs • Assisted in interviewing & onboarding a new designer ### Senior UI/UX Designer @ Ripl, Inc. Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 ### UI/UX Designer @ Ripl, Inc. Jan 2019 – Jan 2021 | Seattle, WA Worked as the solo designer along with the Creative Director, Product team, and Engineers. Reimagined the social media content creation experience within the Ripl app for multiple platforms. • Designed the experience for iOS, Android, and web app • Actively participated in brainstorming sessions on scope and priorities for Engineering workstreams • Mentored other designers • Identified and validated user pain points to design authentic solutions • Created specifications for UI mockups to ensure accurate dev implementation • Conducted in-person interviews with potential customers for research and product direction • Conducted unmoderated user research studies via Userlytics and presented insights to my team • Created graphic assets to compliment our logo and existing brand elements for marketing and advertising • Contributed to UI and blog post copywriting that represents a casual, friendly tone to customers • Interviewed potential candidates for hiring, both independently and in groups • Created Ripl templates using custom graphics and typography for merchandising ### Visual UX Designer (Consulted via The Creative Group) @ Microsoft Jan 2018 – Jan 2019 | Redmond, WA Worked as a part of the Windows Creative Direction team to improve visual coherence across the Windows ecosystem. My role was to help oversee the design language of Windows, Edge, Mobile, and more. My responsibilities included mapping user scenarios, developing UI design concepts and wireframes, and creating story-centered presentations. • Co-ideated the UX/UI design direction for Windows start menu • Collaborated with the Edge design team on explorations for an improved browser tab experience and homepage widgets • Contributed to the visual audit of files in Windows 10 • Lead the audit for third-party app icon styles in Windows 10 • Created a visual language for my team’s internal website and newsletter • Generated logo ideas with meaningful analogies to Microsoft’s mission • Led the design direction for a data-vis graph for the Education team ### UX Researcher @ Pathware Inc Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Seattle, WA Consulted for Pathware on the strategy and design of their website. Pathware is a medical technology startup that needed a website for future investors. I conducted user and market research on who the Pathware target audience is; this included generating user personas, researching competitors, mapping out website content, and creating wireframes. The final deliverable was a completed case study. ### UX Designer @ Nav.it Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Seattle, WA Worked on designing the UX behind a major feature of the Navit app. My job was to work with the CEO and the developer to conceptualize and prototype solutions from scratch. I lead the project from market analysis/research and strategy, to user flows and user experience. NDA. I also pitched a logo redesign. ### Graphic Designer and Jewelry Apprentice @ Apse Adorn Jan 2016 – Jan 2018 | Bellingham, WA Improved the unpacking experience. Led the redesign of the original logo type. Consulted on how to optimize the design and usability of new jewelry pieces. Personally designed and crafted a limited batch of statement earrings utilizing user research, countless prototyping, and user testing. Trained in soldering, stone setting, and other jewelry crafting techniques. ### Graphic Designer @ Western Washington University Extended Education Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | Bellingham, Washington Area Worked in collaboration with the WWU marketing team to create posters, ads, graphics, etc., promoting WWU courses and activities. ### Branding and Logo Design @ Upbeet Juice Co. Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | Bothell, WA Worked remotely with the business owner to design a logo using iconography and typography. ### Graphics Assistant @ Sheila Klein Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | Edison, Washington Put together project proposals for a well-known Bellingham artist. Interpreted and created a visual of the artist’s designs in Photoshop. ### Tester @ Blackapple Solutions Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 ## Education ### Bachelor’s Degree in Design Western Washington University Jan 2012 – Jan 2018 ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marina-semez-24a408113 - Portfolio: https://marinasemez.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/marinasemez JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/marinasemez/resume.json Last updated: 2026-03-30