Boaz is available for hire
Hire BoazBoaz Balachsan
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Berlin, Germany
Toptal member since October 11, 2022
Bio
With 13+ years of experience as a design leader, consultant, and coach, Boaz supports teams and individuals by designing and facilitating processes that systematically discover and implement sustainable creative solutions that increase performance, growth, and impact. Driven by creativity, purpose, and collaboration, he enjoys seeing ideas, brands, products, and people grow and fulfil their potential.
Portfolio
Work Experience
Design Lead
2021 - 2022
Aurora (Clearlight Europe GmbH)
- Designed a fully functional eCommerce platform and an AR-enhanced shopping experience.
- Designed a completely new brand identity for their daughter healthtech company, Aurora.
- Researched and conceptualized an IoT-based digital product, connecting all the physical products into a mobile experience.
- Compiled a brand book and created a design system for our teams, located in various locations globally, to be able to work together seamlessly.
- Oversaw social media operations, supporting the head of marketing with planning and coordinating, and eventually becoming the main to-go person for any brand-related issues.
Technologies: Figma, Shopify, Webflow, Design Leadership, Teamwork, eCommerce, Brand Identity, Creative Direction, Team Leadership, Design Sprints, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Mentorship & Coaching, Storytelling, Workshop Facilitation, Product Design, Illustration, Procreate, Adobe Creative Suite, Health IT, Augmented Reality (AR), Design, Brand Design, UI Design, UX Design, Workflow, Notion
Design Director and Strategist
2019 - 2021
Deutsche Bank
- Managed a complete product and brand redesign project and a cross-functional in-house design hub.
- Facilitated data-driven design sprints and workshops for brand development and strategy implementation, product alignment, and various optimization processes.
- Shifted our product from a nearly unknown service to being number one within the competitor environment while expanding to five new European countries.
- Worked closely with one of the biggest marketing agencies in Germany to create a delightful brand experience across all platforms.
Technologies: Figma, Sketch, Webflow, Procreate, Design Leadership, Social Impact, Teamwork, eCommerce, WordPress, Brand Identity, Creative Direction, Team Leadership, Design Sprints, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Mentorship & Coaching, Storytelling, Workshop Facilitation, Motion Design, Product Design, Illustration, Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Fintech, Design, Brand Design, UI Design, UX Design, Workflow, Notion
Design Lecturer and Mentor
2019 - 2020
Designschule
- Facilitated lectures, workshops, and mentoring sessions at the department of visual communication with a focus on digital product design.
- Initiated collaboration programs between classes, departments, and local businesses.
- Built a curriculum for a full year of academic studies for first and second-year students.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Adobe Experience Design (XD), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Brand Design, UI Design, UX Design, Art, Workflow, Notion, Early-stage Startups
Senior Designer l Art Director l Team Lead
2019 - 2020
Vice Media
- Led creative direction of an online socio-political social media-based documentary project.
- Created an online interactive campaign, offline print campaign, editing, and post-production for the production team.
- Led and managed a team of interns while supporting the production team in the overall success of the project.
- Supplied with design and technological solutions, connecting the project with AR and Snapchat.
Technologies: Sketch, Snapchat, Design Leadership, Social Impact, Teamwork, Brand Identity, Creative Direction, Team Leadership, User Interface (UI), Mentorship & Coaching, Storytelling, Motion Design, Product Design, Illustration, Adobe Creative Suite, Augmented Reality (AR), Design, Brand Design, UI Design, UX Design, Workflow
UI/UX Instructor and Mentor
2019 - 2020
CareerFoundry
- Mentored many students to successfully complete their education.
- Supported the company by collecting feedback from users.
- Reviewed assignments and analyzed the students' progress.
Technologies: Social Impact, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Mentorship & Coaching, Storytelling, Workshop Facilitation, Product Design, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Design, UI Design, UX Design, Workflow
Designer and Illustrator
2018 - 2019
Bloomsbury Publishing
- Designed and illustrated over 20+ book titles which eventually increased the revenue stream for the organization.
- Conceptualized and created a series of e-books that became bestsellers.
- Supported the organization with creative design work and mentored other designers and illustrators in the field.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Illustration, Design, UI Design, Art, Workflow
Co-founder | Head Of Design
2017 - 2019
OMA
- Co-founded an agency that focuses on maintaining a platform for connecting artists and designers with the world of augmented reality.
- Headed the design operations, creating a brand and tonality, and setting guidelines for various online and offline projects.
- Partnered with numerous organizations, facilitating successful exhibitions for art in AR and building an active community of dozens of artists.
Technologies: Augmented Reality (AR), Design, Brand Design, UI Design, UX Design, Art, Workflow, Early-stage Startups
Product Designer
2017 - 2018
Arctop
- Conceptualized and implemented a website in 2D and augmented reality.
- Conceptualized, designed, and illustrated branded imagery.
- Created visual guidelines for the website, mini-pages, and links.
Technologies: Sketch, WordPress, Brand Identity, Creative Direction, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Storytelling, Product Design, Illustration, Adobe Creative Suite, Augmented Reality (AR), Design, UI Design, UX Design, Workflow, Early-stage Startups
Product Designer
2016 - 2018
Carrier Community
- Updated the brand and created guidelines that would lead the development of all design content and strategy, driving sales and partnerships.
- Redesigned the website and membership system according to data gathered on the target audience of users and partners.
- Took over the design lead position during a maternity leave period.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Creative Direction, Branding, Design, Brand Design, UI Design, UX Design, Workflow
Studio Director and Project Manager
2016 - 2018
Werkstatttraum
- Co-founded the coworking space and co-created a monetization plan while working with international creatives and startups.
- Created a program and a hub for Berlin-based startups to grow and collaborate with other companies.
- Created a platform for creatives to collaborate and create projects together and exhibit and sell their work online and within the space.
- Designed a brand and built a community around content and courses facilitated by the artists, designers, and developers working in the space.
- Created a co-working hub for the first female developer guild in Germany.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Design, Brand Design, UI Design, Art, Workflow
Designer
2016 - 2018
Axel Springer
- Art direction of content for Axel Springer's Snapchat channel.
- Designed, illustrated, and created motion graphics for various content strategy work.
- Created a set of templates, following and advocating for design guidelines.
Technologies: Snapchat, Teamwork, User Interface (UI), Storytelling, Motion Design, Product Design, Illustration, Adobe Creative Suite, Design, Workflow
Co-founder | Design Lead
2014 - 2016
Fugara
- Co-founded the collective as a platform for creatives to collaborate and create interactive installations in the physical and digital realm.
- Built a brand identity guide and designed the website while creating design content, concepts, and events.
- Recruited and mentored other creatives on their path to success.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Branding, Design, Teamwork, Workflow, Early-stage Startups
Designer and Illustrator
2014 - 2016
AUNDW Healthcare Kommunikation
- Created concepts and designed packages for healthcare-related products.
- Designed and illustrated all printed material related to products.
- Created design content for online marketing campaigns.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Illustration, Design, Workflow
Designer
2013 - 2014
Madatech
- Created content for a permanent collaborative exhibition.
- Designed, illustrated, and animated content for a temporary exhibition.
- Designed merchandise for the museum alongside the graphic department.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Illustration, Motion Design, Design, Workflow
Content Creator
2012 - 2013
SchoolTV
- Created content for over 20+ courses that created a stream of income for one of the first e-education startups worldwide.
- Directed, documented, and edited material for a series of on-demand online courses.
- Created templates and used post-production for color grading, text, and effects.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Design
Education
2021 - 2022
Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching
Animas Centre for Coaching - London, UK
2019 - 2020
Diploma in Creative Facilitation
Alice-Salomon-Fachhochschule für Sozialarbeit und Sozialpädagogik Berlin - Berlin, Germany
2008 - 2012
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Design, Illustration, and Motion
Bezalel Academy of Art and Design - Jerusalem, Israel
2010 - 2011
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Storytelling and Creative Writing
Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU) - Prague, Czech Republic
2005 - 2007
Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and Psychology
Open University of Israel - Haifa, Israel
Certifications
AUGUST 2022 - PRESENT
Product Design and Strategy Mentor
ADPList
AUGUST 2022 - PRESENT
Mental First Aid for Managers
Mindurance
JANUARY 2021 - PRESENT
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Alison
MAY 2020 - PRESENT
Non-violent Communications Course (NVC)
The School of Conflict
NOVEMBER 2019 - PRESENT
Design Sprint
AJ&Smart
JULY 2018 - PRESENT
UI Design Program
Career Foundry
MAY 2017 - PRESENT
UX Design
Springboard
Skills
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Sketch, Canva, Snapchat, Adobe CC
Platforms
Figma, Webflow, Shopify, WordPress
Other
Illustration, Product Design, Workshop Facilitation, Storytelling, Mentorship & Coaching, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Teamwork, Design, UI Design, Art, Workflow, Graphic Recording, Marketing Design, Wellness, Leadership, Workshops, Facilitation, Presentation Design, Visual Design, Graphic Design, Brand Guidelines, Collateral Design, Motion Design, Design Sprints, Team Leadership, eCommerce, Design Leadership, Fintech, Health IT, Branding, Brand Design, UX Design, Notion, Logo Design, Infographics, Landing Page Design, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Project Leadership, Process Flows, Process Design, User Interviews, eCommerce Design, Design Systems, Template Design, Pitch Decks, Websites, Teaching, Anthropology, Project Management, UX Research, Creative Direction, Brand Identity, Social Impact, Augmented Reality (AR), Early-stage Startups, Web Design, Shopify Design, Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
Experience
- Creative Direction - 10 years
- Illustration - 10 years
- Workshop Facilitation - 8 years
- User Experience (UX) - 7 years
- User Interface (UI) - 7 years
- Team Leadership - 6 years
- Mentorship & Coaching - 5 years
- Figma - 5 years
Collaboration That Works
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