Akshay is available for hire
Hire AkshayAkshay Salekar
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Toptal Member Since
October 18, 2021
Akshay is a design expert passionate about solving critical problems using design thinking, UX strategy, persuasion, gamification, and other best UX practices. He has eight years of experience and has worked with companies like Media.net, Forbes, Mann+Hummel, Lollypop Design, Ecobillz, and many other startups. Akshay is singlehandedly capable of conceptualizing and executing products from ideation to launch.
Work Experience
Design Director
2021 - PRESENT
Magnetize Studio
- Led and managed a design team of 8+ illustrators, animators, UI, and UX designers, resulting in a 20% increase in overall productivity and timely delivery of high-quality projects.
- Aligned design direction with client vision by collaborating closely with stakeholders, resulting in a 15% increase in client satisfaction and repeat business.
- Implemented data-driven design practices through weekly design sprints, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement and conversion rates for client products.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, to ensure seamless integration of design solutions, resulting in a 20% reduction in development time and improved product launch efficiency.
- Conducted market research and competitor analysis to identify design trends and opportunities, informing strategic decisions and positioning Magnetize as a leading design agency in the industry.
- Mentored and coached junior designers and students, providing guidance on best practices, resulting in an improvement in their design skills and industry readiness.
- Received industry recognition and awards for design excellence, showcasing Magnetize as a top-tier design agency and attracting new clients and talent.
Technologies: App Design, Mobile Design, Gamification, Rewards Programs, Leadership, Director, Android App Design, iOS, Human-machine Interface (HMI), Car Dashboards, Automotive, Blender, MVP Design, Web Design, WordPress, Elementor, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Complex Problem Solving, Digital Product Design, Color Theory, Color Schemes, Design Workshops, Responsive Design, Responsive UI, Design Management, Team Management, User Interface (UI), Quantitative User Research, Mobile App UI, App UX, App UI, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), UX Audits, Audits, Rapid Prototyping, WordPress Design, Workshops, Websites
Product Design Consultant
2020 - PRESENT
Self Employed
- Delivered impactful design solutions for 20+ client projects, resulting in a 95% client satisfaction rate and multiple referrals.
- Conducted user research and analysis, resulting in data-driven insights that informed product design decisions, leading to a 60% increase in user engagement.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and stakeholders, to ensure seamless integration of design and development processes, reducing project timelines.
- Developed and implemented user-centered design strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in conversion rates and a 15% decrease in client website and application bounce rates.
- Conducted usability tests and gathered feedback, iteratively improving design iterations and achieving a 90% success rate in meeting project objectives and user needs.
- Maintained a strong professional network, collaborating with fellow designers and industry experts and continuously updating skills to stay at the forefront of design trends and technologies.
- Contributed to the growth and success of client businesses by leveraging design thinking methodologies, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue and market share for their products and services.
Technologies: Figma, Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, Blender, InVision, Miro, Balsamiq, Android App Design, iOS App Design, Web Design, Web UI, Web UX, Web App Design, Web App UI, Web App UX, SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Automation Tools, User Testing, Remote User Testing, Web Usability, Usability Heuristics, User Flows, User Journeys, User Research, User Validation, WordPress, WordPress Design, Elementor, Prototyping, UX Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, Audits, UX Audits, Agile UX, Agile Sprints, Agile Delivery, Lean UX, MVP Design, Branding, Logo Design, Gamification, Rewards, Web Notifications, Push Notifications, Digital Product Design, Product Design, Color Theory, Color Schemes, Design Workshops, Responsive Design, Responsive UI, Design Management, User Interface (UI), Quantitative User Research, Mobile App UI, App UX, App UI, Graphical User Interface (GUI), Human-computer Interaction (HCI), Workshops, Websites
Lead UI/UX Designer
2022 - 2023
Ecobillz
- Led the design and development of Ecobillz's website, starting with a comprehensive strategy session to understand the business objectives and target audience.
- Created a detailed flowchart diagram to illustrate the website's structure and user flow, ensuring a seamless and intuitive browsing experience for visitors.
- Developed engaging and persuasive content and wireframes, aligning them with the approved strategy and user requirements, resulting in a clear visual representation of the website's structure and content hierarchy.
- Designed a mood board and initial mockups, presenting visual concepts and brand elements to stakeholders for feedback and approval, ensuring consistency and alignment with Ecobillz's brand identity.
- Finalized the design and graphics, incorporating feedback and iterative improvements to achieve an optimal user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).
- Implemented the final design on WordPress using Elementor, leveraging the platform's flexibility and customization capabilities to create a visually stunning and functional website.
- Conducted thorough testing to ensure the website's compatibility across different devices and browsers, guaranteeing a seamless user experience and optimal performance.
- Successfully delivered the website to Ecobillz, training their marketing team on website maintenance and making content updates, empowering them to manage the website independently.
- Achieved significant results post-launch, including a 28% increase in conversion rate, a 17% increase in user engagement, a 25% increase in scheduled demos, and a 20% reduction in bounce rate.
- Received positive feedback from Ecobillz and stakeholders, acknowledging the website's visual appeal, usability, and ability to drive customer engagement and conversions.
Technologies: B2B, Web Design, Website Design, Web UI, Web UX, Responsive Web Apps, Responsive Design, Responsive, Design Workshops, Information Architecture (IA), Web Content, Content Writing, Branding, User Flows, Sitemaps, WordPress, WordPress Design, Elementor, Web Development, QA Testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Client Management, Stakeholder Interviews, Stakeholder Management, UI Design, UX Design, Web App UX, Web UX Design, Web App UI, Web UI Design, Mobile UI, Prototyping, UI Prototyping, UX Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, Mood Board, Color Schemes, Color Theory, Team Management, Development, Enterprise, Enterprise SaaS, SaaS, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), Complex Problem Solving, Product Design, Responsive UI, Design Management, User Interface (UI), Quantitative User Research, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), UX Audits, Audits, Workshops, Automation Tools, Automation, Websites
UX/UI Designer
2022 - 2022
MANN+HUMMEL
- Conducted extensive user research and analysis, resulting in user personas and journey maps informing the design process, leading to a seamless and intuitive user experience.
- Designed wireframes and interactive prototypes using Figma, facilitating user testing and feedback, resulting in iterative improvements and increased user satisfaction.
- Applied best practices in mobile app design, including responsive design principles, increasing user engagement and a consistent user experience across multiple devices.
- Presented design concepts and solutions to manufacturers, receiving positive feedback and approval for design direction, contributing to successful client partnerships and ongoing collaboration.
- Collaborated closely with product managers and the business team to align user goals with business objectives, conducting user interviews and increasing user satisfaction.
- Implemented data visualization techniques and created visually compelling mobile reports and car display screens, enabling end users to get real-time air quality data.
Technologies: UX Design, Figma, MVP Design, Web App UX, Web App UI, Mobile UI, Mobile UX, UX Wireframes, User Personas, Wireframing, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Lean UX, User Flows, User Empathy, Empathy Mapping, HVAC, Product Design, Car Dashboards, Human-machine Interface (HMI), Prototyping, UX Prototyping, UI Prototyping, Client Management, Communication, Enterprise, Connected Cars, Smart Cars, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), Graphical User Interface (GUI), Sustainability, App UI, App UX, Mobile App UI, iOS App Design, Data Visualization, Complex Problem Solving, Digital Product Design, Color Theory, Color Schemes, Design Workshops, Responsive UI, User Interface (UI), UX Audits, Rapid Prototyping
Co-founder | Design and Strategy
2020 - 2021
Yescar
- Led a cross-functional team as a co-founder, overseeing the successful launch of a pre-owned car marketplace and collaborating with developers and product operations managers.
- Conducted comprehensive user research and competitor analysis, gathering valuable insights that informed the product strategy and resulted in a user-centric marketplace experience.
- Created user flow diagrams and conducted iterative UI design, resulting in an intuitive and visually appealing platform that improved user engagement and satisfaction.
- Provided development support and collaborated closely with the development team, ensuring the timely and seamless implementation of design features and functionalities.
- Managed end-to-end product management responsibilities, including defining product roadmaps, prioritizing features, and optimizing user experiences based on data-driven decision-making.
- Conducted user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure the quality and functionality of the platform, resulting in a 90% bug-free launch and a smooth user experience.
- Successfully launched the pre-owned car marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers directly, which resulted in the sale of 50 cars within eight months.
- Received positive feedback from customers, appreciating the convenience and efficiency of the platform's services and the seamless connection between buyers and sellers.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives based on user feedback, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and repeat platform usage.
- Demonstrated expertise in design and strategy, showcasing strong leadership skills, effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and the ability to drive successful product launches.
Technologies: Figma, Agile UX, Agile Sprints, Data Visualization, Marketplaces, Marketplace Design, Social Marketplaces, Social Media, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Remote User Testing, User Testing, Web App UX, Web App UI, Web App Design, Web UI, Web UX, Mobile App Design, Mobile App UI, App UI, App UX, iOS App Design, Android App Design, Miro, User Flows, User Research, Quantitative User Research, Qualitative Research, User Interviews, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), User Journeys, Cars, Smart Cars, Electric Cars, Connected Cars, Self-driving Cars, Team Management, Leadership, Design Leadership, UX Leadership, Design Management, Competitive Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Digital Product Design, Product Design, Color Theory, Color Schemes, Mood Board, Design Workshops, Responsive Design, Responsive UI, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), Logo Design, Rapid Prototyping, User Validation, Web Usability, Workshops
Senior Visual Designer
2017 - 2020
Media.net
- Revamped the internal reporting and analytics dashboard, significantly improving user experience (UX) and efficiency.
- Redesigned dashboard and enabled 800+ employees to create complex reports within 30 seconds, compared to the previous time of over a minute.
- Successfully increased ad conversion on Forbes Advisor by 25% by suggesting and implementing improved ad placements based on data-driven insights and user behavior analysis.
- Conducted thorough user research and usability testing to identify pain points and gather feedback, leading to targeted design enhancements and a 40% reduction in user errors on the internal dashboard.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including product managers and developers, to ensure seamless integration of design solutions and timely delivery of high-quality products.
- Implemented best practices in visual design, including typography, color theory, and layout principles, resulting in cohesive and visually compelling designs across various digital platforms.
- Created user-centered dashboards and data visualizations, enhancing data comprehension and enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions based on clear and actionable insights.
- Worked closely with the marketing team to develop impactful presentations that effectively communicated complex information and key messages, resulting in increased engagement and positive audience feedback.
- Received recognition for exceptional design work, contributing to the company's reputation as a leader in visual design and innovation in the industry.
- Actively stayed up-to-date with the latest design trends, tools, and technologies, consistently bringing fresh ideas and pushing the boundaries of visual design excellence.
Technologies: Figma, InVision, Blender, Mobile Apps, Data Reporting, Dashboards, Web Dashboards, Dashboard Design, Web UI, Web UX, App UX, UX Design, UI Design, Web App UI, Web UI Design, Web App UX, Web UX Design, Branding, Presentations, PowerPoint Design, PowerPoint Templates, UX Branding, Product Branding, Ads, Bing Ads, Banner Ads, Native Ads, Creative Advertising, Complex Problem Solving, Color Theory, Color Schemes, Responsive Design, Responsive UI, User Interface (UI), Qualitative Research, Quantitative User Research, Data Visualization, Mobile App UI, App UI, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), UX Audits, Audits, Rapid Prototyping, User Validation, Web Usability
Education
2012 - 2015
Bachelor's Degree in Automotive Engineering
Sardar Patel College of Engineering - Mumbai, India
Certifications
NOVEMBER 2023 - PRESENT
Rapid Prototyping for Virtual Reality
Interaction Design Foundation