Nikki Vaez
Lake Forest,CA
Summary
Skilled User Experience Researcher with background in conducting user testing, usability studies and interviews. Strong skills in interpreting data, designing wireframes and collaborating with cross-functional teams to create user-centric designs. Known for innovative problem-solving approach that impacts user engagement and leads to improved product design.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
User Experience Researcher & Designer
Shell Recharge Solutions
Los Angeles
08.2022 - 07.2024
- Masterfully designed and led UX research initiatives using a blend of qualitative and quantitative methods, enhancing user satisfaction by 7% and driving the development of 3 new products across B2C, B2B, and B2B2C markets
- Expertly crafted the research plan and design framework for a large-scale, user-centered account management system, aiming to significantly improve internal and external stakeholders' operational efficiency and user interface
- Collaborated closely with design, engineering, operations, and product teams, facilitating over 25 in-depth interviews that significantly influenced product strategy and user experience improvements, resulting in a 21% increase in user satisfaction
- Directed UX aspects of cross-functional projects with a keen focus on leadership and adept communication, conducting competitive analysis and industry trend evaluations that strategically influenced product innovation and enhanced the upselling experience by 15%.
UX Program Lead
Solution21 DBA Web Concept Media
Irvine
10.2020 - 08.2022
- Orchestrated user research initiatives alongside cross-functional teams, delivering a 23% rise in client satisfaction and a 15% drop in churn rate over 6 months by leveraging precise data-driven strategies
- Conceptualized and executed new data collection strategies to monitor user activity and enhanced design components, resulting in a 35% boost in user engagement and a 20% decrease in support tickets
- Streamlined project budgeting by implementing advanced forecasting models; achieved 34% cost reduction and completed 60+% of projects ahead of schedule.
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
Child Foundation
Portland
04.2017 - 03.2019
- Piloted user-research-driven public events, leading to a 30% increase in participant numbers and a 20% rise in donations through targeted community outreach
- Collaborated with the marketing team to refine outreach tactics using in-depth user research, leading to an 18% increase in campaign effectiveness and a 25% growth in lead generation
- Conducted comprehensive research assessments, leading to targeted advocacy strategies; boosted volunteer engagement by 15% and expanded campaign reach by 25%.
Field Research Supervisor
UNHCR
Turkiye
02.2016 - 02.2017
- Facilitated 900 comprehensive refugee interviews, compiling crucial data that led to a 5% increase in accurate service delivery and judicious resource allocation
- Revamped interview and survey techniques to align with cultural nuances, boosting participation rates by 8% and providing richer, more accurate data for strategic decision-making
- Communicated critical research outcomes via three impactful presentations and a thorough 50-page report, driving significant policy adjustments and advocacy enhancements for UNHCR, benefiting refugee communities nationwide.
Field Research Supervisor
Ministry of Family and Social Services
Turkiye
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Conducted 1,825 interviews with women across Turkey; analyzed data to identify key social issues, resulting in a 15% increase in policy awareness and significant policy improvements
- Executed thorough research analyses to discover unexpected issues, supporting advocacy initiatives that surged public awareness by 50% and lifted volunteer involvement by 15%
- Leveraged SPSS statistical evaluations, delivering pivotal findings to top executives; facilitated policy adjustments that optimized decision-making processes and improved overall company performance by 30%.
Education
UX-UI Bootcamp -
UCI
Irvine, California04.2021
Master of Arts, Sociology -
University of Ankara
Ankara, Turkiye01.2017
Bachelor of Arts, Translation -
University of UNCR
Tabriz, Iran09.2009
Skills
- Service Blueprint
- Heuristic Evaluation
- User Flow
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- Affinity Diagramming
- Persona Development
- Journey Mapping
- User Scenarios
- Interaction Design
- Information Architecture
- Content Strategy
- Reporting
- Data Collection
- Research Planning and Design
- Survey Design
- Quantitative Research
- Qualitative Research
- Mixed Method Research
- Contextual Inquiry
- Ethnographic Research
- Statistical Analysis
- Diary Studies
- Usability Testing
- Interviews
- Moderated and Unmoderated Usability Testing
- Concept Testing
- Task Analysis
- A/B Testing
- Questionnaire Design
- Risk Management
- Agile Methodologies
- Kanban
- Resource Allocation
- Stakeholder Management
- Sketch
- Figma
- Adobe XD
- InVision
- Miro
- Design thinking
- Information architecture
- Heuristic evaluation
- Workshop Facilitation
- User-centered design
- Remote testing
- User Experience Testing
- Website Architecture
- User Research
- Agile Methodology
- Usability and Accessibility
- Wireframing and Prototype Design
- Narrative use cases
Certification
- Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner - IBM
- User Experience and Design Thinking - UCI Division of Continuing Education
- Interface Design - UCI Division of Continuing Education
- Visual Design - UCI Division of Continuing Education
- Web Design - UCI Division of Continuing Education
- Budgeting and Scheduling Projects - UCI Division of Continuing Education
- Initiating and Planning Projects - UCI Division of Continuing Education
- Managing Project Risk and Changes - UCI Division of Continuing Education
- BOLD (Beaverton Organizing and Leadership Development) - City of Beaverton
- Building Civil Society Cooperation among the Western Balkan Route - European University
- Gender Equality, Law and Society - Women's Problems Research and Application Center (KASAUM)
- Advanced UX Research Techniques - Nielsen Norman Group
- Data-Driven Design - Interaction Design Foundation
- Emotional Design - Interaction Design Foundation
- Advanced Prototyping and Interaction Design - Interaction Design Foundation
- Curiosity Mind - Think like a Master- UCI Division of Continuing Education
Timeline
User Experience Researcher & Designer
Shell Recharge Solutions
08.2022 - 07.2024
UX Program Lead
Solution21 DBA Web Concept Media
10.2020 - 08.2022
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
Child Foundation
04.2017 - 03.2019
Field Research Supervisor
UNHCR
02.2016 - 02.2017
Field Research Supervisor
Ministry of Family and Social Services
01.2014 - 01.2015
UX-UI Bootcamp -
UCI
Master of Arts, Sociology -
University of Ankara
Bachelor of Arts, Translation -
University of UNCR