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 who is 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
Product Designer - Workflow Management Mobile App
2023 - 2024
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 User flows, Wireframes, UI Design, Prototype in Figma.
- Provided design specifications, documentation, mockups and more to ensure a smooth development process. Provided development support to developers.
Technologies: Figma, UI Design, UX Design, User Experience (UX), Mobile App Design, App Design, iOS, Mobile UI, Mobile UX, Mobile App UI, Mobile Apps, Workflow, workflow management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Collaboration, Task Management, Team Management, Management, Automation, Automation Tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI), SaaS, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), SaaS Design, Visual Design, Business to Business (B2B), B2B, Design Guidelines, Product Design
Product Designer - Account Receivables
2023 - 2024
Ecobillz
- Design an accounts receivables platform for Account & Finance Managers to track receivable funds from different vendors, companies, credit card companies, etc. Create a KPI dashboard for senior managers to monitor receivable, pending & received funds.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews and user research to understand business and user goals. Interviewed customer support team manager to understand most commonly arising customer complaint and requests.
- Analysed the research data to map pain points, feature requests, user feedback, and complaints.
- Created wireframes and low-fi 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 necessary support to the developers to efficiently build the product.
Technologies: Figma, Ant Design, UI Design, User Interface (UI), UX Design, Wireframing, Responsive Web Apps, Web UX, User Experience (UX), Design Systems, Visual Design, Information Visualization, User Personas, User Research, User Interviews, Prototyping, Product Design, Finance, Financials, Financial Data, Design Guidelines, Dashboards, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, B2B, Business to Business (B2B), Accounts Receivable, Accounts, Accounting, Financial Accounting, Online Accounting, Accounting Systems, Responsive Design, Web Dashboards, Interactive Dashboards, Enterprise SaaS, Enterprise, Enterprise Design, SaaS, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), Software, Software Design, Web App UX, Web App UI, Web App Design
Product Designer - Kiosk Design
2023 - 2024
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.
Technologies: Figma, Miro, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop CC, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Kiosks, Tablet UI, Tablet UX, Tablet Design, Checkout, check in, hotel check in, Documentation, document verification, Verification, Touch Design, Touchscreens, Human-machine Interface (HMI), POS Displays, On-screen Displays (OSD), Accessibility, Accessible Design, Web Accessibility, Usability, Web Usability, Stakeholder Interviews, User Feedback, Cross-functional Design, Cross-functional Collaboration, User Flows, UX Wireframes, UI Design, UX Design, User Stories, User Research, Observation, UX Flows, Service Design, Field Research, Field Studies, Enterprise, Enterprise SaaS, White Labeling, SaaS, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), Software, Enterprise Design, Enterprise Application Design, Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AIaaS), Business to Business to Consumer (B2B2C), B2B2C
Product Designer - Accounts Reconciliation
2023 - 2024
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.
Technologies: Figma, Google Forms, Stakeholder Interviews, Stakeholder Management, User Interviews, User Research, UI Design, UX Design, Dashboards, Web Dashboards, Information Architecture (IA), Data Visualization, Information Visualization, Accounts Receivable, Accounting, Online Accounting, Accounting Systems, Finance, Reconciliation, User Flows, UX Wireframes, Paper Prototyping, User Feedback, Customer Support, Product Design, Web Usability, Dashboard Design, Data-driven Dashboards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), multi user, Ant Design, Enterprise, Enterprise SaaS, Enterprise Design, Enterprise Application Design, SaaS, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), Software, B2B, Web App UX, Web App UI, Web App Testing, Responsive Web Apps, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Automation, Automation Tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Lead Product Designer
2023 - 2024
Ecobillz
- Facilitated the design and development of three products: an accounts reconciliation dashboard, a registration kiosk for hotels, and a workflow approval mobile app.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews to understand business objectives, customer requirements, and pain points of end users.
- Created a detailed information architecture for all the products and presented it to stakeholders.
- Implemented the designs from the design team by providing constructive feedback and direction to the design team.
- Used existing design systems like Ant Design and NativeBase 3.0.
- Presented possible solutions to the stakeholders and received feedback from them.
- Collaborated with the CEO, CMO, and developers to implement the designs successfully.
Technologies: Figma, Google Forms, Automation, Automation Tools, Digitization, Accounting, Finance, Online Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Tourism, Checkout, User Flows, UX Wireframes, Wireframing, Paper Prototyping, Prototyping on Paper (POP), Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, UI Prototyping, Invoices, Invoice Management, Invoicing, Compliance, Business to Government (B2G), B2B, Business to Business (B2B), Enterprise, Enterprise SaaS, Enterprise Design, Enterprise Startups, SaaS, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), Design Systems, Stakeholder Interviews, Stakeholder Engagement, Design Documentation, Agile, hotel Management, Design Leadership
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. 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.
Technologies: B2B, Web 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 Boards, 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, Leadership, Design Leadership
Product Design Consultant
2021 - 2023
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.
Technologies: Figma, Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, 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, User Interface (UI), Quantitative User Research, Mobile App UI, App UX, App UI, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), Workshops, Websites, Responsive Web Apps, Responsive Web Design (RWD)
UX/UI Designer
2022 - 2022
MANN+HUMMEL
- Created 2 prototypes: one for a mobile app and one 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.
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, Touch Design, Touchscreens, Touch Interactions, Device Interaction, Manufacturing, Manufacturers, Industrial & Manufacturing
Product Designer
2021 - 2021
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, competitive, and collaborative alternatives.
- Tested the hypothesis by introducing shorter challenges like squat, push-up, 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.
Technologies: Figma, Miro, User Flows, User Research, User Testing, Usability, User Groups, User Journeys, Wireframing, UX Wireframes, Brainstorming, Ideation, Design Thinking, Gamification, Rewards, Habit Loops, User Feedback, Affinity Mapping, Mobile App Design, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI, Mobile UX, Mobile Apps, Native Mobile Apps, iOS App Design, UX Design, UI Design, Mobile, Product Design, Rapid Prototyping, User Stories, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), User Experience Design, Prototyping, High-fidelity Mockups, High-fidelity Prototypes, Low-fidelity Mockups, Low-fidelity Prototypes, UX Principles, Mockups, Mobile Mockups, Fitness Trackers, Workout, Workout Logging, UX Wireflows, Discovery, Discovery Workshops, User Personas, Push Notifications, Apple Push Notifications
Co-founder | Product 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.
- 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 Boards, 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.
- 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.
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
2010 - 2012
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology
Thakur College of Science and Commerce - India
Certifications
MARCH 2024 - PRESENT
Fundamentals of Product-Led Growth
ProductLed
FEBRUARY 2024 - PRESENT
Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide
Interaction Design Foundation
FEBRUARY 2024 - PRESENT
UX Design for Virtual Reality
Interaction Design Foundation
NOVEMBER 2023 - PRESENT
Rapid Prototyping for Virtual Reality
Interaction Design Foundation
Experience
Collaboration That Works
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