# Sara Tokarchuk > Product Design Manager at Quartzy Location: San Mateo, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/saratokarchuk Hello! My name is Sara Tokarchuk, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, individuals, and industry leaders. Throughout the course of my professional career, I’ve worn many hats across various levels of accountability, leadership, and innovation. I’ve positioned myself as a passionate, detail-oriented, and highly productive professional specializing in design process lifecycle, product roadmap development and execution, design-culture creation, and high impact project management As such, I’m proficient in all facets of User Centered Design (UCD), including refinement and execution of user-centered evaluation, whole user experience optimization, and collaboration with users throughout design, development, and implementation processes. I’m also driven to engage with key stakeholders, cross-functional teams, and executive management on large-scale projects representing significant milestones on product roadmap to achieve and exceed diverse organizational goals, milestones, and vision. In addition, I’m well-versed in creating and implementing design patterns and elements, including typography, color, layout, graphics, visual effects, imagery, iconography, texture, and mood, while also utilizing user-focused mindset towards end-user throughout design process. I’m adept at contributing to design systems, enforcing visual design consistency, generating high-quality web and app experience, mapping new and unfamiliar user features, and driving project and product deliverable to deadlines on an aggressive schedule. Likewise, I’m especially skilled in crafting modern, engaging user experiences that address and solve user and business needs; utilized user research insights and data analysis to inform design decisions, propose and concept new product opportunities, and provide value across user segments. If you’re seeking connect with a truly passionate, highly driven, and exceptionally motivated industry professional, then look no further! I’d like to invite you to reach out to me. ## Work Experience ### Product Design Manager @ Quartzy Jan 2022 – Present | Hayward, California, United States Manage and mentor a small team consisting of full-time and contract product designers. Maintain complete oversight of team processes, projects, and systems. Responsible for user needs research to generate new product strategies and build product roadmaps. Keep stakeholders apprised of emerging project needs and overall progress. Charged with generating take-aways and developing full reports. Plan and engage in user interviews and prototype testing sessions. Test new features and code releases for accessibility compliance. * Hired several in-house product designers and contract product designers. * Provided mentorship for direct reports and for employees outside of the department. * Created and documented in full the product design team’s best practices and processes to help all members adhere to department standards. * Engaged with users in a regular cadence to facilitate product team understanding of user needs and motivations, directly influencing company and product strategies. * Developed and managed a customer design partnership program that brought customers into the design process from early stage concepts to Beta releases. * Led design and implementation of UI and UX for all new products and product enhancements, including a redesign of the existing design system to meet * WCAG 2.0 level AA compliance. * Presented learning sessions to various company departments about design thinking for non-designers, recognizing and avoiding bias, and how everyone is responsible for accessibility. ### Senior Product Designer @ Quartzy Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 | Hayward, California, United States ### Principal Product Designer @ Accrualify, Inc. Jan 2017 – Jan 2021 | San Mateo, CA In this role, I maintained complete oversight of international multi-disciplinary teams. I also supported all facets of industry trend, new technology, and market needs research to effectuate new project strategies and drive product roadmap. In addition, I planned and executed performance acceptance testing for products and optimizations post-development. I also kept stakeholders apprised of emerging project needs and overall progress. Likewise, I was charged with generating take-aways and developing full reports. The following details were my key contributions: • Demonstrated keen ability to research, vet, and acquire new technologies and integration partners. • Led design and implementation of UI and UX for all new and existing products and product enhancements. • Served as Project Manager and led Engineering Team subsequent to design hand-off. • Successful in creation of low- and high-fidelity prototypes for testing; utilized Sketch and InVision. • Supported engineering and business teams in defining new product and existing product enhancement requirements and scope. • Leveraged interview notes and details from key stakeholders to create and implement user journey maps. • Facilitated creation of wireframe UX flows to drive internal and external usability testing. ### Head of Marketing, Branding, and Design (Contract) @ Accrualify, Inc. Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | San Mateo, CA ### Owner/Art Director/Graphic Designer @ Taco Truck Design Jan 2010 – Jan 2020 | San Mateo, CA In this role, I cultivated and delivered strategic creative insight to wide array of clients on UX and UI design for websites, applications, and mobile apps through expertise in wireframing and prototyping. I also directed sub-contracted web developers and designers across multiple projects simultaneously. The following details are my key contributions: • Led design, development, and implementation of UX and UI for A La Reg’s event registration application and Cerius Executive’s candidate search web application. • Played key role in strategizing UX and UI design for Anapalan’s 2014/2015 conference site. • Partnered with and supported contractors and internal employees on design projects, including design and coding of responsive HTML email templates for email marketing service providers. • Utilized content management systems (WordPress, Concrete5, Evoq, & Wix) to design and code websites for multiple clients. ### Digital Visual Designer @ Philips Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 | Foster City, CA During my tenure, I planned and executed research on design solutions to address complex design challenges. I also led creation of workflow solutions to resolve common issues faces by radiologists. In addition, I orchestrated interviews for internal product stakeholders to align proposed UX designs with customer needs and expectations. The following details are my key contributions: • Designed, developed, and implemented low-fi wireframes expressing UX changes in relation to Philips Radiology Workspace Solution (RWS), subsequently testing UX changes in collaboration with internal teams. • Conceptualized and created hi-fidelity user interfaces through expert utilization of Philip’s design system for RWS based on approved wireframes. • Drove collaborative efforts with UX Researcher to plan, prepare for, and observe user test sessions, subsequently distilling feedback into digestible presentations and reports for key stakeholders and senior management. ### Senior Graphic Designer @ DNN Corp. Jan 2013 – Jan 2014 | San Mateo, CA As Senior Graphic Designer, I maintained oversight of DNN’s website and marketing, while also serving as communications liaison between developers and marketing team. I also coordinated and supported website developers to align UX and design standards with client needs and expectation. The following details are my key contributions: • Drafted and leveraged customer personas to support rebranding efforts strategically scoped to appeal to target demographics. • Demonstrated exceptional ability to research methods and best practices to optimize website UX and propel design and implementation of UX/UI for custom Evoq modules. • Ensured final product reflected new branding and product goals through ongoing provision of design feedback to product UI and UX designers. ### National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) District Coordinator @ AAF District 14 Jan 2011 – Jan 2013 ### Co-Founder / The Right Brain @ Reboot Creative + Strategy Jan 2012 – Jan 2013 | San Francisco, CA • Responsible for all art direction, graphic design, and UX/UI design • Collaborated with a copywriter/brand strategist to brainstorm campaign ideas • Executed creative campaigns across multiple media channels • Wrote and designed proposals in response to RFPs/RFQs • Developed and pitched creative strategy for existing and potential clients • Supervised a team of freelance designers and production artists • Mentored junior designers • Interfaced with clients on a daily basis • Tracked profits and expenditures while enhancing services and cutting costs • Ran focus groups to better understand target audience and test campaigns • Researched target market demographic, spending, and behavior to better define audiences • Wrote creative briefs to help guide projects ### Committee Member @ National Student ADDY Task Force Committee Jan 2011 – Jan 2012 | National The National Student ADDY Task Force was set up to update the Student ADDY awards format, create new ways of promoting the awards competition among students and faculty and promoting it among the many national AAF local clubs. My particular role has been to add input from the Ad2 level, as well as to help manage and grow the digital promotion of the Student ADDY Awards. ### Creative Director @ WDFA Marketing Jan 2011 – Jan 2011 • Conceptualized, designed, and produced cross-platform marketing pieces • Designed print campaigns for out-of-home and placed media • Designed the IA and UX for web projects via process flow charts and wireframes • Was sole designer for the agency’s white-label web application created for client channel marketers; responsible for user process flow charts, UX design via wireframes, prototyping, and UI design • Led a team of visual designers and web developers • Acted as liaison between the creative team and developers • Supervised and provided creative direction to a team of three designers • Organized and ran creative brainstorm meetings • Pitched campaigns to clients in conjunction with sales • Consulted clients on creative direction and processes • Collaborated with clients in the development of branding and marketing needs • Wrote/defined creative briefs • Maintained client assets in a shared server environment • Reported digital department updates to the managing partners ### Assistant Creative Director @ WDFA Marketing Jan 2011 – Jan 2011 ### Art Director @ WDFA Marketing Jan 2010 – Jan 2011 - Produced, conceptualized, designed, and created, Web sites and banners, direct mail pieces, posters, flyers, magazine advertisements, marketing presentations, company identity and all marketing collateral - Developed the business plan, position descriptions and process standards for the newly created web services department, which helped make the department the most profitable for WDFA - Created animations in Flash for web and out-of-home advertising - Collaborated with account management teams and clients to structure marketing plans - Coproduced creative pitches for potential clients with internal sales teams - Managed client assets and brand identity - Designed within vendors’ specifications for process and spot printing - Communicated with clients in the development of their branding and marketing needs - Supervised junior design staff in production work and deadlines ### Assistant Art Director @ WDFA Marketing Jan 2009 – Jan 2010 ### Senior Graphic Designer @ WDFA Marketing Jan 2007 – Jan 2009 ### Graphic Designer @ WDFA Marketing Jan 2007 – Jan 2007 ### President @ AD2SF (Ad 2 San Francisco) Jan 2010 – Jan 2011 AD2SF is a chapter of the American Advertising Federation and Ad2 National dedicated to creating the next generation of industry leaders. - Oversaw all committees and manage project deadlines. - Ran Board and General meetings while discussing current and past club business - Acted as a liaison between our club, sister clubs, the AAF district and the national AAF representatives - Communicated with local agencies and universities - Managed the Web site which is viewed by 30 unique visitors on average per day - Presented projects to the board and club committee members - Developed and oversee all committee budgets and deadlines in conjunction with other board members and the Treasurer ### President/Creative Director @ Ad2 San Francisco Jan 2009 – Jan 2010 AD2SF is a chapter of the American Advertising Federation and Ad2 National dedicated to creating the next generation of industry leaders. - Oversee all committees and manage project deadlines - Run Board and General meetings while discussing current and past club business - Act as a liaison between our club, sister clubs, the AAF district and the national AAF representatives - Communicate with local agencies and universities - Create and manage the identity of the club - Manage the Web site which is viewed by 30 unique visitors on average per day - Lead the creative committee in material creation, advertising and all other club art pieces - Present projects to the board and club committee members - Develop and oversee creative committee budgets and deadlines ### Marketing Communications Intern @ Genesys Telecommunications Jan 2005 – Jan 2007 | Daly City, CA - Designed and manage corporate collateral, trade show advertisements and materials, presentations, Web items, direct mail pieces, posters, kiosks and packaging - Edited HTML for web and digital presentations - Wrote and edit copy for case studies, white papers and other sales documents - Led small internal/external advertising campaigns company products, sales initiatives and internal policies - Directed outside vendors in the creation and production of various sales collateral ## Education ### BS Advertising in Advertising and Graphic Design San José State University ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/saratokarchuk - Portfolio: http://saratokarchuk.design - Behance: https://www.behance.net/saratokarchuk --- Source: https://flows.cv/saratokarchuk JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/saratokarchuk/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13