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Benny Aarup
Verified Expert in Design
UX & UI Designer
Bangkok, Thailand
Toptal member since April 16, 2015
Bio
Benny is a Danish lead UX/UI designer and published UX expert, crafting intricate UX/UI strategies tailored for elite global brands. Infusing Nordic elegance with calculated design logic, he creates experiences that are both inviting and seamlessly interconnected. Renowned for elevating global brands such as Bridgestone, MasterCard, Dubai EXPO, and EBSCO, his designs blend simplicity with dynamic functionality.
Experience
- UI Design - 15 years
- UX Design - 10 years
- Web App UI - 10 years
- Dashboard Design - 8 years
- Dashboards - 5 years
- UI Animation - 4 years
- iOS UI Design - 4 years
- Figma - 2 years
Portfolio
PropertySquare – Real Estate Agent Platform
Admin PanelsCommercial Real EstateResidential Real EstateLegal Technology (Legaltech)LegalWeb Applications+ 9 more
Work Experience
Lead Product Designer
2024 - 2026
X-Press Feeders Pte Ltd - Business Transformation
- Led a consultancy team of senior designers supporting an enterprise suite of eight products, guiding design decisions and coordinating a consistent approach across the product suite.
- Built and organized a shared enterprise Figma workspace using Atomic Design principles to structure reusable components, patterns, and product design assets.
- Structured design system work across eight products, addressing an estimated 500 legacy components and establishing a foundation for greater consistency and reuse.
- Built a UI component library using React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS, with supporting documentation connecting design specifications with implementation.
- Implemented a custom design ticket system to maintain a clear source of truth throughout the ticket lifecycle, connecting requirements, design references, decisions, and status.
- Worked directly with product managers to translate complex requirements into actionable design work and align design delivery with product priorities.
Technologies: Figma, Product Design, UX Design, UI Design, Web App Design, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Data-heavy Design, Design Leadership, Enterprise UX, DesignOps, Atomic Design, Design Documentation, Cross-functional Collaboration, React, TypeScript, Design System Governance, Requirements Analysis, Design Handoff
UI/UX Designer
2021 - 2022
Near.com
- Led the design process with Near's product management team at the LA headquarters on the Pinnacle platform, an instant place-based insights platform powered by Near.com's data intelligence covering 1.6 billion people across 44 countries.
- Built a Figma Cloud Component Library to feed the Pinnacle platform—providing human movement insights to help more than 200 Fortune 500 companies understand consumer behavior and analyze places for data-driven decision-making.
- Created a deeply nested web application component-based Figma prototype, covering 90-95% of all user interactions.
- Developed a Kanban development hand-off framework ensuring a fully push/pull connected design system from Atom to Jira ticket design documentation.
Technologies: UI Design, UX Design, Data Visualization, Figma, SaaS, Design Thinking, Leadership, Web App UX, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Interaction Design (IxD), Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, User Flows, Product Design, B2B, Component-driven Prototyping, Figma Prototyping, Figma Component Library, Design Systems, Web App Design, Web Design, Web App UI, Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Google Docs, Slack App, Visual Design, Admin Panels, Responsive Web Apps, Atom, Enterprise UX, DesignOps, Atomic Design, Design System Governance, Design Handoff
Lead UX/UI Designer
2020 - 2021
Caliber
- Led the design process for the product management team at the New York headquarters on a responsive dashboard portal and mobile application.
- Created a component-based design system library in Figma.
- Developed a responsive front-end prototype in HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
Technologies: Figma, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Design Thinking, Leadership, Web App UX, Mobile Prototypes, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Android, Interaction Design (IxD), Mobile App Design, Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, User Flows, iOS, iOS UX Design, Mobile UI Design, Product Design, Component-driven Prototyping, Figma Prototyping, Figma Component Library, Design Systems, Web App Design, Web Design, Web Dashboards, Data Visualization, Fitness, HTML, Consumer Branding, Dashboard Design, Web App UI, UX Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), iOS UI Design, Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, eCommerce, Web UI, User Experience (UX), iOS App Design, Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI, Mobile App UI, eCommerce Design, Dashboards, Bootstrap 3, Animation, Google Docs, Slack App, jQuery, Bootstrap, Visual Design, Admin Panels, Responsive Web Apps, Atomic Design, Design System Governance, Design Handoff
Author
2020 - 2020
UX Design Dictionary
- Authored the world's first UX design dictionary uxdesigndictionary.com with more than 2000 entries.
- Performed extensive research on UX terminology and jargon.
- Led the production team from conceptualization to book publication.
Technologies: Books, UX Design, Design Thinking, Leadership, Web UI Design, Interface Design, Web Design, Responsive, User Interface (UI), Brand Identity, Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Google Docs, Slack App, jQuery, Visual Design
Lead Full-stack UX/UI Designer
2019 - 2020
Bridgestone (via Toptal)
- Led the UX process for a product with more than 140,000 users.
- Delivered a responsive dashboard portal powered by Power BI.
- Designed a component-based design system symbol library in Sketch.
- Implemented the responsive front-end framework in HTML, CSS and, JavaScript.
Technologies: JavaScript, CSS3, HTML, Sketch, Design Thinking, Leadership, Web App UX, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Interaction Design (IxD), Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, User Flows, Product Design, B2B, Web App Design, Web Design, Web Dashboards, Web App UI, UX Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Dashboards, Bootstrap 3, Slack App, Visual Design, Admin Panels, Responsive Web Apps, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Design Handoff, Atomic Design, Enterprise UX
Lead Full-stack UX/UI Designer
2018 - 2019
DP World (via Toptal)
- Designed and developed a container tracking dashboard and an import permit dashboard for Dubai Trade.
- Designed an import permit dashboard for Dubai EXPO 2020 that will help country representatives of the participating nations in the DE2020 submit and manage the import requests for goods used in the country's pavilions during the DE2020.
- Created a UX management framework to support decision-making for the UX strategy, including Gantt Charts, heuristic principles, and risk assessment.
- Built a component-based design system symbol library in Sketch.
Technologies: CSS3, HTML5, Sketch, Design Thinking, Leadership, Web App UX, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Interaction Design (IxD), Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, User Flows, Product Design, B2B, Web App Design, Web Design, Web Dashboards, Web App UI, UX Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Bootstrap 3, Slack App, Visual Design, Responsive Web Apps, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Atomic Design, Enterprise UX
Senior UX/UI Designer
2017 - 2018
Samhaeng
- Designed and developed a comprehensive Sketch symbol library for EBSCO-funded FOLIO.org—an open-source library services platform.
- Designed and animated numerous UX animations using Principle for FOLIO.org.
- Designed UX patterns for the flexible and modular library systems.
Technologies: Principle, Sketch, Design Thinking, Web App UX, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Interaction Design (IxD), Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, User Research, User Flows, Product Design, B2B, Component-driven Prototyping, Design Systems, Web App Design, Web Design, Web App UI, UX Design, UI Animation, Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Animation, Slack App, InVision, Visual Design, Admin Panels, Responsive Web Apps, Atomic Design, DesignOps, Enterprise UX
Lead UX/UI Designer
2016 - 2016
Mastercard
- Worked with a range of pan-Asian in-house business development teams to translate business requirements into tangible mobile payment design solutions.
- Presented the solutions to the Mastercard executive team to achieve funding approval during the annual regional meetup.
- Created a component-based design system symbol library in Sketch.
- Designed business case PowerPoint presentations for the winning product owners' business case, which led to funding approval.
Technologies: Sketch, Design Thinking, Leadership, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Interaction Design (IxD), Mobile App Design, Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, User Flows, iOS UX Design, iOS, Mobile UI Design, Product Design, Web App Design, Web Design, Data Visualization, Consumer Branding, UX Design, iOS UI Design, Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI, Mobile App UI, Slack App, Visual Design
WordPress Developer
2016 - 2016
Baeldung (via Toptal)
- Redesigned and developed a WordPress theme for a Java and Spring community site with more than 300,000 monthly users.
- Helped the founder formulating the initial style guide.
- Developed a WordPress theme using Bootstrap 3 based on the design style guide.
- Developed a custom dropdown responsive menu from scratch.
Technologies: WordPress, Bootstrap, CSS3, HTML5, Sketch, Design Thinking, Leadership, Web UI Design, Interface Design, Web Design, HTML, Landing Page Optimization, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, Website Redesign, User Experience (UX), Bootstrap 3, PHP, Visual Design
Head of Digital
2014 - 2015
PingingU
- Worked with C-level stakeholders to create the design and development vision of the company brand identity.
- Conceptualized the product and market approach and oversaw the development of the company's launch website.
- Initiated and maintained the company's social media team.
Technologies: JavaScript, CSS3, HTML5, User Interface (UI), Design Thinking, Leadership, Web App UX, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, User Flows, Product Design, Web App Design, Web Design, Landing Page Optimization, Responsive, Brand Identity, Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Visual Design, Admin Panels
Lead UX/UI Designer
2012 - 2015
Aarup.me
- Designed and developed digital web experiences for a wide client base of global brands and personalities.
- Designed comprehensive component libraries in Figma and Sketch.
- Helped a range of international brands to deliver on their digital aspirations.
Technologies: AngularJS, WordPress, PHP, JavaScript, CSS3, HTML5, Brand Identity, User Interface (UI), Design Thinking, Leadership, Interaction Design (IxD), Fintech, Mobile App Design, Web UI Design, SaaS Design, Interface Design, Usability Testing, User Research, User Flows, iOS, iOS UX Design, Mobile UI Design, Product Design, Design Systems, Web App Design, Web Design, Web Dashboards, Data Visualization, HTML, Sublime Text, Consumer Branding, Landing Page Optimization, Redesign, Dashboard Design, Web App UI, UX Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), iOS UI Design, UI Animation, Adobe Illustrator, Tableau, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Responsive, Adobe Photoshop, Responsive UI, eCommerce, Web UI, User Experience (UX), iOS App Design, Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI, Mobile App UI, eCommerce Design, Dashboards, Bootstrap 3, Animation, Motion & Animation Design, Highcharts, Google Docs, WooCommerce, Slack App, jQuery, InVision, Bootstrap, White Labeling, Visual Design, Analytic Design, Admin Panels, Responsive Web Apps, Tailwind CSS
International Marketing Director
2013 - 2013
Century Properties
- Initiated and advised the largest real estate developer in the Philippines on preliminary sale activities in the Chinese marketplace.
- Developed the project website for Trump Tower Manila.
- Created a project website for the Acqua Iguazu project by Starck.
Technologies: WordPress, JavaScript, CSS3, HTML5, User Interface (UI), Design Thinking, Leadership, Web UI Design, Interface Design, B2B, Web Design, Landing Page Optimization, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Adobe Illustrator, Responsive, Brand Identity, Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Visual Design
iOS App Development Consultant
2012 - 2012
Copenhagen Creators
- Led a team toward strengthening the visual appeal of a client's app concept.
- Planned and executed a two-day workshop with the production team and client.
- Engaged with C-level stakeholders and formulated strategy to enhance earnings.
Technologies: Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Wireframing, Design Thinking, Leadership, Mobile Prototypes, Android, Interaction Design (IxD), Mobile App Design, Interface Design, User Flows, iOS, iOS UX Design, Mobile UI Design, Product Design, iOS UI Design, Responsive, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), iOS App Design, Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI, Mobile App UI, Visual Design
Business Development Analyst
2011 - 2012
KMD
- Created and delivered IT solutions for local and central governments and private markets for one of Denmark's leading IT and software companies.
- Contributed to projects that generated revenue upwards of DKK 4.7B in 2013.
- Conceptualized the strategic product development for a unified digital citizen access point solution.
Technologies: Microsoft PowerPoint, Design Thinking, Leadership, Web App UX, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Interaction Design (IxD), Web UI Design, Interface Design, User Flows, B2B, User Interface (UI), Responsive UI, Web UI, User Experience (UX), Visual Design, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Education
2012 - 2012
Professional Degree in User Experience Design
Copenhagen School of Design and Technology - Copenhagen
2006 - 2010
Bachelor of Science Degree in Asian Culture, Language, and Economy
Copenhagen Business School - Copenhagen
2008 - 2008
Exchange Semester in Business Administration and Chinese Language
Ramkhamhaeng University - Bangkok
Skills
Tools
Adobe Experience Design (XD), Google Docs, Principle, Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Figma Component Library, Figma Prototyping, Microsoft PowerPoint, Sublime Text, Adobe, Tableau, InVision, Adobe Photoshop, Atom
Languages
CSS3, HTML5, HTML, TypeScript, PHP, JavaScript
Industry Expertise
Fitness
Platforms
Figma, WooCommerce, WordPress, iOS, Android
Other
User Interface (UI), Brand Identity, Bootstrap, Wireframing, Dashboards, UI Design, Analytic Design, Responsive UI, Web UI, Website Redesign, Dark UIs, Analytical Dashboards, Web Applications, User Experience (UX), iOS App Design, Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI, Mobile App UI, Landing Page Design, Branding, Consumer Branding, UI Animation, UX Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), iOS UI Design, Bootstrap 3, Responsive, Dashboard Design, Web App UI, Animation, Motion & Animation Design, Highcharts, Data Visualization, Web Dashboards, Web Design, Web App Design, Design Systems, Component-driven Prototyping, B2B, Product Design, Mobile UI Design, iOS UX Design, User Flows, Interface Design, SaaS Design, Web UI Design, Mobile App Design, Fintech, Interaction Design (IxD), Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Mobile Prototypes, Web App UX, Leadership, Design Thinking, Visual Design, White Labeling, Admin Panels, Responsive Web Apps, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Design Leadership, Enterprise UX, DesignOps, Atomic Design, Design Documentation, Cross-functional Collaboration, Design System Governance, Requirements Analysis, Component Design, Component Libraries, Component-based Design, Affiliate Marketing, Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), eCommerce, Online Shopping, Intranets, Mobile Apps, eCommerce Design, Landing Page Optimization, Slack App, User Research, Tailwind CSS, React, Design Handoff, Edtech Design, Videos, Forex Trading, Learning, Redesign, Books, jQuery, AngularJS, SaaS, Usability Testing, Light UI, Stock Trading, Stock Market, Financial UX, Financial Design, Chinese Typography, Negotiation, Mandarin, Business to Business (B2B), Global Business, Asia, Business Administration, Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate, Legal Technology (Legaltech), Legal, User Experience Design, Tables, Data-heavy Design
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