About Me
I'm a Product Designer
Hi, I'm Daniela Varzim, Portugal based Product Designer.
With 15 years of design expertise, I've honed my skills in web development, graphic design, and user experience. My work has spanned various sectors, from health, textiles and optics to augmented reality and video games. I bring a deep understanding of user-focused design and a strong background in creating management systems.
I define myself as a designer, but I've been always looking for new experiences and ideas to push myself to the edge of my abilities.
I consider myself a very creative person. I can easily come up with a unique perspective about a certain issue due to my wide range of interests and hobbies. Problems don’t unsettle me – they inspire me instead.
I love what I do. I’m passionate and motivated to excel, and that's what allows me to always go the extra mile. To put it simple, I think that my best quality is the fact that I’m a fast learner. Even if I don’t have that much experience with a certain task, with a bit of guidance I’m able to accomplish it quickly.
Follow Me
My awesome clients
Driving technology for leading brands
My Skills
Elevating Expertise to Fuel Innovation
UX Design (USER EXPERIENCE)
User Experience (UX) design is a critical aspect of product development, ensuring that products are user-friendly, intuitive, and meet the user's needs and expectations. To achieve this goal, plenty of research and testing is required to understand user behavior, preferences, and their pain points.
I employ various techniques for achieving a superior user experience, including user research, usability testing, information architecture, persona development, user journey mapping, accessibility design, design thinking, A/B testing, heuristic evaluation, and content strategy. My goal is to design products that deliver maximum value to the users while still meeting their needs. Through my design strategies, we ensure our products and services are easily accessible, navigable and intuitive, in line with recognized UX best practices.
UI Design (USER INTERFACE)
User Interface (UI) design is a fundamental part of crafting visually appealing and intuitive interfaces that enhance the user experience. It involves designing the elements and layout of a digital product, ensuring that it not only looks visually engaging but also aligns with the brand identity and user expectations.
My skills in UI design encompass:
Visual Design: Crafting engaging, brand-consistent, and visually pleasing interfaces.
Interaction Design: Designing intuitive user interactions and flows for a seamless user journey.
Responsive Design: Ensuring the interface adapts gracefully to diverse screen sizes and devices.
Prototyping and Testing
Prototyping and testing are crucial stages in the design process, enabling us to transform concepts into interactive models and validate design decisions through user feedback. It's a blend of creativity and precision, with skills including:
High-Fidelity Prototyping: Creating detailed interactive models for user testing.
Usability Testing: Running tests with real users to gather critical feedback.
Prototyping Tools: Using software to develop functional interactive prototypes.
Web Development
Web Development is the process of bringing designs to life, transforming them into functional websites or applications. Proficiency in web development involves front-end and back-end skills, ensuring the design is fully realized. My key skills in web development include:
Front-End Development: Building user interface components and layouts.
Back-End Development: Developing server-side functionality and databases.
Cross-Browser Testing: Ensuring the product works across various web browsers.
Graphic Design and Branding
Graphic design is a vital component of creating compelling visuals that represent the brand and attract users. The skills required include:
Logo and Branding Design: Developing brand logos and identity elements.
Moodboards and Style Tiles: Gathering visual inspiration for cohesive design.
Full-Color Visuals: Creating vibrant and engaging visuals in line with branding.
Collaboration and Communication
Effective collaboration and communication are essential to ensure that design intent is fully understood, and the final product aligns with the vision. Key skills in this area include:
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Aligning design with development and other teams.
Feedback Loop: Establishing clear communication channels with developers and stakeholders.
Agile Methodologies: Adapting to agile development processes to improve collaboration.
My education
Unlocking Knowledge and Fostering Growth
PM3
2024 - Remote
Product Design
- Product Management
- Product Discovery
- Product Analytics
- Product Marketing
- Product Growth
- Product Leadership
FLAG
2023 - Remote
Design OPS - UX Strategy
EDIT.
2022- Remote
Design Thinking
IxDF - Interaction Design Foundation
2019 - Present - Remote
Human Computer Interaction - Design Thinking - Usability Design - Journey Mapping - Usability Testing - User Research Methods - UI Design Patterns - Data-Driven Design/Quantitative Research - Agile Methods - Mobile Design - UX Design For Virtual Reality - UX Design For Augmented Reality - Artificial Intelligence for Designers - etc.
IPCA - Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave
2013-2014 - Barcelos, Braga
Web Development
FBAUP - Faculdade de Belas Artes do Porto
2013-2014 - Porto, Porto
Graphic Design and Editorial Projects
ESAD - ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE ARTES E DESIGN
2007-2011 - Matosinhos, Porto
Contemporary Jewelry Design
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Unlocking Knowledge and Fostering Growth
UX Design For Virtual Reality
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Aug 2024
Skills:
· Create user-centered and immersive VR experiences.
· Conduct VR-specific user research and user testing to understand the wants and needs of VR users.
· Use narrative, emotion and sound as a design tool.
· Design user-friendly and meaningful interactions in the VR environment.
· Create VR prototypes that clearly communicate concepts and objectives to relevant stakeholders.
· Create VR case studies.
MasterClass: ChatGPT - Increase your productivity with AI
Rumos
Issued Aug 2024
AI For Designers
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Aug 2024
Skills: AI on the Design Industry · Effective AI Prompts · Ethical AI
UX Design for Augmented Reality
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Aug 2024
Skills: User-focused AR experiences · Place Research and User Testing · AR Prototypes and Interfaces · Constraints of Augmented spaces · AR Case Studies
Human computer interaction - HCI
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jul 2024
Skills:Principles of Human Cognition · User Tests and Expert Evaluations · Engaging Design Processes focused on people's needs
Design OPs
FLAG
Issued Sep 2023
Skills: Digital Product Development · Team Management · Canvas Design Ops · UX Design Process · Design Operations
UX Strategy
FLAG
Issued Sep 2023
Skills: UX Strategy · Prototyping · Business Strategy
Mobile UX Design
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Apr 2023
Skills: Mobile UX Design · Inclusive Design · User-centered Design · Human-Centered Design · Heuristics
Agile methods for ux design
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Mar 2023
Skills: Agile Team Assessment, Specialized Design Techniques, Collaborative Research and Design, Agile-Friendly Deliverables, Design for Experimentation, User-Centered Agile Practices, Continuous Improvement,
Cross-Functional Communication
creativity: Methods to design better products and services
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Mar 2023
Skills: Ideation Facilitation, Project Planning and Time Management, Divergent Ideation Techniques, Convergent Ideation Methods, Creating a Creative Environment.
AI-POWERED UX DESIGN
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jun 2023
Skills: Overcoming AI Implementation Challenges, The Complementary Role of AI and UX Design, Essential Skills for Future Design, Developing a Future-Open Mindset.
perception and memory in hci and ux
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Mar 2023
Skills: Role of Perception in Interaction, Relationship between Sensation and Perception, Touch and Haptics, Vision and Hearing, Memory and Effective Design
Data-Driven Design: Quantitative Research for UX
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Sep 2022
Skills: Deciding on quantitative research methods, applying statistical tests, selecting and screening participants, conducting user surveys, performing early design testing, using web and app analytics, and conducting A/B and multivariate tests
Design Thinking - Learn by Doing
EDIT
Issued Jul 2022
Skills: Creating user personas, ideation and brainstorming, prototyping, user testing, empathy mapping, problem-solving, collaboration, iterative design, and innovative thinking
Human-Computer Interaction: The Foundations of ux design
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jul 2022
Skills: Intuitive UX design, customer experience enhancement, interaction design, navigation design, screen design, user delight, brand value elevation, customer loyalty, business profitability
User Research - Methods and Best Practices
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jul 2022
Skills: User research, research planning, research integration, cost-effective design, actionable insights, stakeholder communication, relevant designs, great user experience
How to Create Intuitive Products by Imitating Physicality
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Apr 2022
Skills: Intuitive UI design, physical-digital integration, design analysis, natural design improvements
UI Design Patterns for Successful Software
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Apr 2022
Skills: UI design patterns, content organization, ethical design, interaction design
How to Design for Augmented and Virtual Reality
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Feb 2022
Skills: Usability Testing, User Feedback Analysis, Content Creation for AR/VR, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Accessibility in AR/VR, UX Metrics in AR/VR, AR/VR Interaction Design, Immersive Storytelling, 3D Interface Design, AR/VR User Research
Journey Mapping
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Feb 2022
Skills: Understanding of Journey Map Types, Common Mapping Processes, Data Gathering for Journey Mapping, Perspective Grid Creation, Experience Map Design, Customer Journey Map Creation, Service Blueprint Design, Journey Mapping Workshop Facilitation
Conducting Usability Testing
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jan 2022
Skills: User Test Design, Test Goal Setting, User Test Planning, Usability Test Facilitation, Usability Test Reporting
How to Design Accessible Experiences
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jan 2022
Skills: Inclusion and Accessibility Strategy, Accessible Style Guide Creation, Co-Design and Participatory Design, Designing for People with Disabilities, Accessibility Communication in Prototypes, Design System Accessibility Understanding
A Guide To Hassle-Free Designer-Developer Collaboration
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jan 2022
Skills: Effective Communication between Designers and Developers, Key Questions for Designers and Developers, File Handoff Best Practices, Prioritizing and Communicating Ease of Implementation, Collaboration between Designers and Developers, Involving Developers in Design, Streamlining Development Processes
How to Design Experiences for AI
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jan 2022
Skills: AI Basics for UX Designers, Real-world UX and AI Integration, Collaboration with Engineering Teams on AI Projects, Initiating AI-based UI/UX Projects, Contributing to AI Training, Adapting the Design Process for AI Integration
21st Century Design with Don Norman
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Jan 2022
Skills: World Improvement Through Design, Human-Centered Design for Global Challenges, The Transition from User-Centered to People-Centered Design, The Unique Role of Designers, Democratizing Design, Navigating Wicked Problems and Socio-technical Systems, Applying Human-Centered Design to Complex Global Issues, Putting People at the Core of Problem-solving, Understanding and Utilizing Feedback Loops
User Experiende: The Begginer's Guide
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Dec 2021
Skills: User-Focused Design Processes, Effective Communication of UX Design Significance, Error-free Design Process Implementation, Enhancing Visceral, Behavioral, and Reflective User Experience Levels, Analyzing and Enhancing Existing Products or Services
Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Nov 2021
Skills: Iterative Problem Solving, Design Thinking Techniques Application, Culture Transformation towards Customer-Centric Approach, Effective User Research Implementation
Web Design for Usability
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued Nov 2021
Skills: Web Page Logic and Usability, User-Centered Design Principles Application, Accessibility Guidelines Implementation, Alternative Design Option Evaluation
How to Become an UX dESIGNER FROM SCRATCH
Interaction Design Foundation
Issued sEP 2021
Skills: Task Analysis, User Interviews, Usability Testing, Experience Design Evaluation, Career Transition to UX Design, UX Design Advocacy, Role Differentiation in UX, Tools and Methods Proficiency
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WORKING WITH THE BEST
Limanade @ UNESCO - Creative Cities '24
Design Thinking Facilitator
Amarante, Portugal
2024
Role: The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is first and foremost a space for collaboration and experimentation to invent the city of tomorrow. This year UCCN Annual Conference was held in Braga from 1 to 5 July 2024, under the theme “Bringing youth to the table for the next decade”. I was able to facilitate a workshop of Design Thinking in Amarante, on day 4 of the event. Along with other 9 facilitators, I was responsible to organize 150 people on the ideation of new features and events for Amarante city. 30 Countries involved, more than 50 hours of preparation and lots of great ideas to improve the city for the next generations. This was the first of many events that will teach people how collaboration can bring ideas to life.
F3M – Information Systems, SA
Senior UX UI Designer
Braga, Portugal
2021 - Present
Role: As a UX/UI Designer at F3M in Braga, Portugal, I play a pivotal role in shaping the user experiences for a wide range of web products. I'm actively engaged in the Textile, Social Economy, but mostly Health sectors, working on projects that involve usability and interaction design. My responsibilities encompass the design and development of user-friendly interfaces, ensuring that our digital solutions meet the highest standards of usability and aesthetics.
Freelancer
UX/UI Designer / Web Designer / Graphic Designer
Remote
2019 - Present
Role: During my freelance career spanning over a decade, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse clientele, both corporate and individual. My contributions have covered a broad spectrum of design, including web design, graphic design, and usability enhancements. Notable achievements include crafting websites, online stores, newspaper and magazine layouts, book designs, and comprehensive branding solutions. My work has been instrumental in enhancing the visual identities and digital experiences of my clients.
Nevelis
UX/UI Designer / Graphic Designer
Jerusalém,Israel
2019 - 2020
Role: At Nevelis in Jerusalem, Israel, my role encompassed UX/UI design and graphic design. I was responsible for the development of websites and Figma prototypes with a strong emphasis on UX/UI design principles. Additionally, I played a significant role in crafting graphic content for advertising and WordPress websites, contributing to the overall visual appeal and user experience of digital platforms.
wavefunction
UI Designer
Braga, Portugal
2019 - 2021
Role: My tenure at WaveFunction in Portugal involved working on usability and interaction projects rooted in UX/UI methodologies. I focused on the development of web products within the realms of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Video Games. This role allowed me to design interfaces that facilitated immersive user experiences, contributing to the success of projects in cutting-edge technology sectors.
WillBe Collective
UX/UI Designer / Web Designer
Barcelos, Braga
2019 - 2020
Role: At WillBe Collective in Barcelos, Portugal, I led usability and interaction projects based on UX/UI principles. This included the redesign of websites and platforms to enhance user experiences. I played a crucial role in ensuring that the digital solutions we provided were intuitive, efficient, and visually appealing.
Decorbag
Graphic Designer / Web Designer
Barcelos, Braga
2014
Role: My role at Decorbag involved a combination of graphic design and UX/UI design. I created vector designs and handled cliché printing, as well as web development with a strong focus on UX/UI design principles. Additionally, I was responsible for marketing content creation, contributing to the promotion of the company's services.
Botões Paris
Graphic Designer
Porto, Portugal
2010 - 2012
Role: During my time at Botões Paris, I specialized in vector design for laser printing accessories. Additionally, I assumed the role of overseeing marketing efforts and digital content, ensuring the company's branding and visual identity were well-maintained.
MBA NoBrinde
Graphic Designer
Porto, Portugal
2009 - 2010
Role: At MBA NoBrinde, I was responsible for developing catalogs and conducting image editing, ensuring that the marketing materials were visually compelling and effectively conveyed the company's products.
Avenida do minho magazine '07
Graphic Designer
Porto, Portugal
2006
Role: As the lead graphic designer for Revista Avenida do Minho in 2007, I played a pivotal role in designing the entire magazine. This accomplishment was honored with the Young Entrepreneurship award from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. I was also an integral part of the team responsible for marketing, photography, and digital content, contributing to the magazine's success and recognition.
We received a Entrepreneurship Education Award from Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
