Akshay Salekar
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Akshay is a design expert who is passionate about solving critical problems using design thinking, UX strategy, persuasion, gamification, and other best UX practices. He has seven 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
Product Designer - E-Invoicing
Ecobillz
- Redesigned and improvised the UX of the E-Invoice module used by account and finance managers to track, manage, and submit e-invoices on the government portal.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews and user research to understand business and user goals. Interviewed the customer support team manager to understand the most common customer complaints and requests.
- Analyzed the feedback gathered and created insights to support ideation and brainstorming features.
- Crafted wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes in Figma and presented them to stakeholders for feedback.
- Used the Ant Design system to create the dashboard in Figma. Designed the following sections: KPI dashboard for managers, documents tab for clerks and finance managers to manage different invoices, and reports for auditing.
- Handed the designs with proper documentation and explainer presentation to developers to begin development. Provided the necessary support to build the product efficiently.
Product Designer - Workflow Management Mobile App
Ecobillz
- Designed a mobile application to improve checks and approvals workflow in the hospitality industry.
- Conducted business and user research to identify goals, pain points, needs, and requirements.
- Created the user flows, wireframes, UI design, and prototype in Figma.
- Provided design specifications, documentation, mockups, and more to ensure a smooth development process. Provided support to developers.
Product Designer - Accounts Receivable
Ecobillz
- Designed an accounts receivable platform for account and finance managers to track receivable funds from vendors, companies, credit card companies, etc. Created a KPI dashboard for senior managers to monitor receivable, pending, and received funds.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews and user research to understand business and user goals. Interviewed the customer support team manager to understand the most common customer complaints and requests.
- Analyzed the research data to map pain points, feature requests, user feedback, and complaints.
- Created wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes to gather feedback from stakeholders.
- Designed the dashboard using the Ant Design system and created an interactive prototype.
- Conducted remote usability testing to identify issues and improvised the prototype.
- Handed the designs with proper documentation and explainer presentation to developers to begin development. Provided the necessary support to build the product efficiently.
Product Designer - Kiosk Design
Ecobillz Private
- Visited multiple hotels to conduct user research and observe customers at the front desk while checking in or out of the hotel.
- Gathered and analyzed all information captured during the field study.
- Ideated multiple solutions and sketched them on paper to later create low-fi prototypes for stakeholder presentations.
- Created the final design and prototype and tested it with hotel guests.
- Gathered user feedback while field testing and made final iterations.
- Designed a white-labelled B2B2C kiosk for hotel guests to check in, check out, and make payments during their stay.
Product Designer - Accounts Reconciliation
Ecobillz Private
- Designed and improvised the accounts reconciliation platform used by finance managers to compare financial statements from different vendors to ensure accurate account balance.
- Conducted stakeholder and customer interviews to understand business and customer objectives.
- Reviewed support calls and tickets to understand the most commonly arising problems.
- Brainstormed ideas and created low-fidelity prototypes to discuss with key stakeholders and get their feedback on viability and feasibility.
- Used the Ant Design system and created the dashboard screens.
- Redesigned the account reconciliation dashboard to increase efficiency and manual work.
- Updated design documents and provided design support for developers working on the product.
- Collaborated with a cross-functional team of developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to build a user-friendly solution.
Product Designer - Chef Marketplace
Chef Republic
- Designed and managed the development of a Washington-based chef marketplace. Helped in brainstorming and ideation to build features for the MVP by conducting market research and considering budgets and timelines.
- Conducted market research and reviewed competitor websites to understand the services provided by clients and find an opportunity in the market that could help Chef Republic stand out.
- Finalized a set of features and created the product roadmap to ensure smooth launches that result in good traction.
- Created wireframes, UI designs, and prototypes for mobile and desktop versions of the web app. Collected feedback from stakeholders and made iterations.
- Managed front-end and back-end developers to launch the product smoothly.
Lead UI/UX Designer
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. This resulted in a clear visual representation of the website's structure and content hierarchy.
- Designed a moodboard 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.
- Delivered the website to Ecobillz and trained 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.
Product Design Consultant
EatLove.is
- Designed and improved B2B/B2C applications to increase CSAT and NPS scores. Established a design system and design documentation for consistent implementation and future enhancements. Provided marketing collateral design support.
- Collaborated with the VP of Product and CTO to design and develop B2B and B2C web and mobile apps for EatLove.is.
- Conducted user research via surveys to collect customer pain points, challenges, bugs, and feedback.
- Streamlined the B2B mobile and web app for the seamless delivery of meal plans and nutritional and health information to patients.
- Improved the B2C mobile and web app for easy comprehension of the meal plans, nutritional values of food items, health information, and personalized diet plans.
- Established and maintained a design system to ensure consistency and accelerate the product development cycle.
- Created marketing assets, including pamphlets, emailers, and presentations.
UX/UI Designer
MANN+HUMMEL
- Created two prototypes: one for a mobile app and another for a car dashboard, demonstrating air quality data and the efficacy of M+H air filters by comparing AQI inside and outside the car cabin.
- 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.
Product Designer - LMS (Learning Management System)
Learning Beam Academy
- Helped a Canadian school design an LMS system to manage interactions and engagement among students, teachers, and parents. Designed features like assignments, quizzes, tests, calendars, and forums to ensure the smooth functioning of the school.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews to understand their current processes and requirements. Analyzed their processes and created a flow chart diagram to propose a digital product flow.
- Created multiple variations of logos and finalized them with the LBA team.
- Crafted product wireframes and presented them to stakeholders to gather stakeholder feedback.
- Created the UI design and product prototype on Figma and conducted remote usability tests with potential users.
- Supported the developers with assets and clarified their doubts during the development phase.
- Launched the product successfully. The product was appreciated by the LBA team and their students/teachers.
Product Designer
Tribes Fit
- Revamped a fitness app with gamification and rewards to increase user engagement. Created a community feature for user referrals to drive acquisition without added costs.
- Conducted a discovery workshop with the client and their team to align on product vision, mission, and goals.
- Facilitated user research with 50 participants to gather insights. Observed a decline in user engagement after a week of sharing daily workouts.
- Created three user personas based on research findings: super users, moderately active users, and silent users. Formulated problem statements and "How might we" statements to inspire ideas.
- Led brainstorming sessions with the client's team, which resulted in the hypothesis that users feel fatigued after long workouts. I suggested shorter, more competitive, and collaborative alternatives.
- Tested the hypothesis by introducing shorter challenges like squats, push-ups, and running challenges, observing increased engagement and competitiveness. Developed gamification, reward, and notification strategies to maintain user engagement.
- Implemented a community model where users could invite friends and family to their tribe to compete with other tribes. This drove user acquisition without extensive marketing expenses.
- Designed the UI and UX of the application using Figma, incorporating client feedback and iterating on designs. Conducted usability tests to ensure app usability, refining designs through iterations.
- Supported developers with assets and documentation to explain how gamification, rewards, and notifications will work. Conducted design QA to ensure the product was developed to high standards with the strategies we created.
Co-founder - Product Design and Strategy
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.
- 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.
Senior Visual Designer
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.
- 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.
- Stayed up-to-date actively with the latest design trends, tools, and technologies, consistently bringing fresh ideas and pushing the boundaries of visual design excellence.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Automotive Engineering
Sardar Patel College of Engineering - Mumbai, India
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology
Thakur College of Science and Commerce - India
Certifications
Fundamentals of Product-Led Growth
ProductLed
Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide
Interaction Design Foundation
UX Design for Virtual Reality
Interaction Design Foundation
Rapid Prototyping for Virtual Reality
Interaction Design Foundation
Skills
Tools
Figma, InVision, Photoshop CC, Miro, Illustrator CC, Blender, Balsamiq, Apple Push Notifications, Unreal Engine, Google Forms, Prototyping on Paper (POP), Manufacturing, Adobe After Effects, Chef
Languages
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python
Industry Expertise
Automotive, Fitness
Platforms
Web, Director, iOS, WordPress, Google VR, Oculus, Mobile
Other
UI Design, UX Design, Digital Product Design, User Flows, Product Design, User Journey Maps, Prototyping, High-fidelity Prototypes, Design Thinking, Remote User Testing, MVP Design, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Information Architecture (IA), Visual Design, Wireframing, Rapid Prototyping, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), App UI, App UX, Mobile App UI, Social Marketplaces, User Interface (UI), Mood Boards, Color Schemes, Color Theory, Competition Research, Design Sprints, Design Systems, Last Mile Logistics, Enterprise System Design, Agile Sprints, User Interviews, Cars, Mobile UX, Automation, Automation Tools, Web Usability, User Validation, WordPress Design, Audits, Graphical User Interface (GUI), Sustainability, Data Visualization, Quantitative User Research, Qualitative Research, Competitive Analysis, Responsive UI, Design Workshops, Complex Problem Solving, Edtech Design, E-learning, Web Dashboards, Dashboards, Higher Education, User Experience (UX), Dashboard Design, Web UI Design, Marketplaces, Identity Design, Web App UX, Web App UI, App Design, Fitness Trackers, Apps, iOS App Design, Android App Design, Web App Design, User Testing, Gamification, Rewards, Rewards Programs, User Research, User Personas, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Car Dashboards, Mobile UI, Fintech, Credit Cards, Mobile App Design, Mobile Apps, Task Flows, Calendar Design, Mobile Design, Leadership, Responsive, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web Design, Model View Presenter (MVP), Proof of Concept (POC), Marketplace Design, Design Leadership, UX Leadership, Online Payments, Finance, Personal Finance, Personal Finance Management, Mobile Payments, Credit Card Processing, Digital Banking, Mobile Wallet, Usability Heuristics, Exercise & Gyms, Workout Logging, Analytics, Community, Habit Formation, User Behavior, Agile UX, User Journeys, UX Wireframes, Human-machine Interface (HMI), Elementor, SaaS Design, Communities, UX Branding, Brand Identity, Enterprise, Lean UX, User Empathy, Empathy Mapping, HVAC, UX Prototyping, UI Prototyping, Client Management, Communication, User Experience Design, Identity, Web UX Design, iOS UI Design, iOS UX Design, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Validated User Research, Web Notifications, Push Notifications, Community Growth, Wireframe to Product, Branding, Digital Brand Identity, SaaS, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Fleet Management, Fleet Management Platforms, Electric Vehicles, Connected Cars, Smart Cars, Electric Cars, Self-driving Cars, Enterprise Design, Enterprise Startups, React, Responsive Web Apps, Task Management, Reporting, Graphs, UI Maps, Maps, Tracking, Strategy, UX Strategy, Stakeholder Interviews, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Sitemaps, Information Design, Web Content, SEO Content, Content Writing, Content Strategy, Web UX, Web UI, Websites, Workshops, UX Audits, Agile Delivery, Logo Design, Social Media, Team Management, Design Management, Data Reporting, Presentations, PowerPoint Design, PowerPoint Templates, Product Branding, Ads, Bing Ads, Banner Ads, Native Ads, Creative Advertising, B2B, Responsive Design, Web Development, QA Testing, Development, Marketplace Platforms, Two-sided Marketplaces, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), PWA, Reports, Report Design, UX Research, CX Strategy, Service Design, Mobile UI Design, User Validation Testing, UX Workshops, Brainstorming, Workout, Social Communication, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Learning, School, Assignments, Quizzes, Forum Design, Online Course Design, Landing Pages, Virtual Reality (VR), Virtual Reality App Design, Rapid Interactive Prototyping, Extended Reality (XR), X Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Spatial Design, Narrative UX, Storytelling, Bezi, Unity, Unity3D, Unreal Engine 5, Design Thinking Facilitation, Qualitative Reports, User Surveys, Problem Statements, Affinity Mapping, Ideation, Facilitation, Paper Prototyping, User Feedback, Usability, Usability Analysis, Usability Testing, Remote Usability Testing, Product-led Growth, Go-to-market Strategy, Go-to-market Plans, Product-market Fit, SaaS Product Marketing, Digitization, Accounting, Online Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Tourism, Checkout, Invoices, Invoice Management, Invoicing, Compliance, Business to Government (B2G), Business to Business (B2B), Design Documentation, Agile, hotel Management, Touch Design, Touchscreens, Touch Interactions, Device Interaction, Manufacturers, Industrial & Manufacturing, Mobile Game UX, Mobile UX Design, User Groups, Habit Loops, Native Mobile Apps, User Stories, High-fidelity Mockups, Low-fidelity Mockups, Low-fidelity Prototypes, UX Principles, Mockups, Mobile Mockups, UX Wireflows, Discovery, Discovery Workshops, Information Visualization, Accounting Systems, Reconciliation, Customer Support, Data-driven Dashboards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), multi user, Ant Design, Enterprise Application Design, Software, Web App Testing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Kiosks, Tablet UI, Tablet UX, Tablet Design, check in, hotel check in, Documentation, document verification, Verification, POS Displays, On-screen Displays (OSD), Accessibility, Accessible Design, Web Accessibility, Cross-functional Design, Cross-functional Collaboration, Observation, UX Flows, Field Research, Field Studies, White Labeling, Financials, Financial Data, Design Guidelines, Accounts, Financial Accounting, Interactive Dashboards, Software Design, Workflow, Workflow Management, Collaboration, Management, Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AIaaS), Science, Business to Business to Consumer (B2B2C), B2B2C, Component Libraries, Product Owner, Product Ownership, Product Strategy, K-12 Education, Educational Portals, Student Engagement, Ebooks, Calendars, UI Branding, Accessory Design, Food Delivery Services, On demand services, On-demand, Startups, Lean Startups, Market Research, Feature Roadmaps, Feature Planning, Use Case Analysis, Use Cases, Customer Feedback, Digital Tickets, image reading
Experience
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