Boriana Mladenova
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Sofia, Bulgaria
Toptal member since May 25, 2020
Boriana is a highly experienced lead product, UX, UI, and visual designer with more than 20 years of experience working for global companies and startups. As a full-spectrum designer, she mediates between user needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility to execute successful design solutions ranging from games, educational systems, and holistic interactive solutions to mobile consumer products.
Portfolio
Wacom SW Visual Language
Bamboo Dock
Work Experience
Co-founder, Product and UX/UI Designer
Ensparkle OOD
- Researched, defined, and designed a consumer mobile application in the domain of self-improvement called Reflect Journal for iOS and Android.
- Served a core role in defining the business strategy and product concept.
- Conducted qualitative research for needs in the self-improvement domain.
- Defined problems through presumptive design explorations as well as markets and personas.
- Designed UX/UI, made illustrations, conducted user testing, and validated designs.
- Production work and coordination with development.
- Conducted marketing research in the space of self improvement as well as App Store marketing, strategy, and ASO.
Head of Design
Wacom Co. Ltd., Sofia
- Led, worked, communicated, and coordinated the creation of innovative consumer applications for mobile devices and desktop as well as integrated hardware, software, and services solutions.
- Developed a new product, shaping it from business objectives through user research and discovery to working prototypes. Defined project requirements and features, responsible for project functional and design specifications.
- Art directed the product, ensuring that it is not only functional but delightful. Established conceptual and stylistic direction and guidelines. Guided, reviewed, provided feedback, and approved designs to curate a seamless end-to-end experience that is engaging and coherent.
- Managed individuals in career aspects such as new hire integration, training, formal feedback, career development, and role growth.
- Led the design of signature projects: Wacom Inkspace and Bamboo Spark, Bamboo Paper, Bamboo Loop, and Wacom common design language. Built design guidelines for Wacom Hub and Sign Pro.
- Participated in and managed design R&D, including concept designs for integrated solutions including hardware and software, digital ink, and writing tools.
Co-founder, Senior Partner, Head of Design
Gugga
- Built next-generation rich internet applications, including creative direction, concept designs, design execution, and quality assurance of the end product in terms of design, usability, and seamless experience. Clients included Bacardi Global Brands, Panasonic, PBS, John Deere, Jamaica Tourist Board. and many more.
- Communicated with clients, gathered requirements, and prepared specifications for production and development.
- Kept abreast of innovative new technologies, ensuring the creation of smooth, enjoyable, and seamless user experiences. Most of the solutions were highly interactive with rich media, using Flash and Air technologies.
- Managed day-to-day operations in the design department and coordinated with development.
- Managed individuals in career aspects such as new hire integration, training, formal feedback, career development, and role growth.
Design Lead
Haemimont
- Developed new internet-based products and services, responsible for client communication, product definition, and specifications.
- Managed creative direction as well as art and game production for large interactive education products for clients like Macmillan and Kaplan.
- Designed and consulted on UX/UI as well as participated in the process of gathering requirements, definition, specification, and design of K12 educational systems.
- Managed the creative efforts of the design department, scheduling and monitoring milestone accomplishment, mentoring and coaching designers, and hiring and managing an outstanding design team.
- Ensured that the design concepts delivered by the department meet all market needs and product goals, and shaped high-quality end product in terms of design and usability.
- Kept abreast of innovative design trends and methodologies, integrating them into design work.
Game 2D and 3D Designer
Haemimont Games
- Conducted design research, including architecture, buildings, people, historical times, and geographical and spatial data for the real-time strategy game Tzar.
- Designed and produced game interfaces including icons and interface elements.
- Sketched concepts and designed, modeled, and produced a large number of game elements, from buildings to units and terrain.
- Created stories, 3D modeling, and production of the game intros and trailers.
- Produced various multimedia for packaging and advertising of the game.
Education
Master's Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning
University of Architecture, Engineering and Geodesy - Sofia, Bulgaria
Skills
Tools
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, InVision, Confluence, Jira, Microsoft Project, Flash, Adobe AIR, Adobe Premiere Pro, Autodesk, 3ds Max, Adobe After Effects
Platforms
iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Windows Mobile
Industry Expertise
Health & Wellness, Social Networking, Education
Languages
HTML, Visual Design Language
Other
UI Design, UX Design, Mobile UI, Android UI Design, iOS UI Design, Design Leadership, iOS UX Design, Mobile App Design, Mobile Design, UI Prototyping, Visual Design, Rapid Prototyping, UX Prototyping, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Mobile Apps, iOS App Design, Android App Design, Design Direction, Design Management, Integrated Design, Prototyping, Interaction Design (IxD), Information Architecture (IA), Digital Product Design, Android Design Guidelines, Leadership, User-centered Design (UCD), Design Thinking, Desktop App Design, Illustration, Product Design, Branding, Productivity, Inking, Notes, Design Specifications, Domain Research, App UX, App UI, Product Discovery, Product Research, New Product Development, Mindfulness, Self-improvement, Messaging, Team Management, Consumer Electronics, Requirements Analysis, Wireframing, Hardware/Software Interaction, Brand Ecosystems, Consumer Applications, Cloud, Graphical User Interface (GUI), Cross-platform, Design Systems, Lifestyle, Platforms, Requirements & Specifications, UI Guidelines, Windows App Design, New Products
Experience
- UI Design - 20 years
- Design Management - 16 years
- Interaction Design (IxD) - 16 years
- Information Architecture (IA) - 16 years
- UX Design - 15 years
- Mobile Apps - 11 years
- Digital Product Design - 11 years
- Illustration - 5 years
How to Work with Toptal
Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.
Share your needs
Choose your talent
Start your risk-free talent trial
Top talent is in high demand.
Start hiring