Dawn is available for hire
Hire DawnDawn Burngasser
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Cleveland, OH, United States
Toptal member since February 10, 2020
Bio
Dawn is an experienced UX leader, designer, researcher, and writer with skills in user-centered design, research, AI, copywriting, and content strategy. She collaborates with clients and stakeholders to craft improved user experiences while aligning with business goals. Dawn has more than a decade of experience crafting mobile apps, websites, and digital products. She has served clients from various industries, including healthcare, education, insurance, government, climate change, and more.
Portfolio
J.Jill Website Redesign
Information Architecture (IA)NavigationUser FlowsUser ValidationResponsive UX DesignApparel & Accessories+ 6 more
Experience
- Writing & Editing - 10 years
- User Experience (UX) - 10 years
- Usability Testing - 10 years
- Interaction Design (IxD) - 6 years
- UX Design - 6 years
- Responsive UX Design - 6 years
- Sketch - 4 years
- Figma - 3 years
Tools
- Sketch
Work Experience
UX Strategy Lead
2020 - 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Served as a contractor working with CMS and directed a multi-disciplinary team of UX designers and content strategists to overhaul the authenticated user experience, resulting in a streamlined dashboard that serves over 65 million beneficiaries.
- Created a standardized UX process within an Agile framework, ensuring consistent application of the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).
- Facilitated weekly touchpoints with product owners, program managers, engineering leads, and other stakeholders to align technical constraints with user needs, ensuring on-time delivery of key features and updates.
Technologies: Figma, Figma Make, MURAL, Confluence, Jira, Agile UX, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, AI Design, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
UX Writer | Content Strategist
2023 - 2023
The University of Tulsa - Communications & Marketing
- Re-wrote content for the major and minor programs within the colleges to appeal to prospective students and their parents.
- Delivered new pages and content ahead of schedule, completing the set of 100+ pages needed for each discipline.
- Worked with a team of designers, writers, and content strategists to identify opportunities for improving the current message to students, parents, and alumnae/alumni.
- Researched, leveraged, and migrated existing content; conducted competitive assessments to identify leaders in the industry and understand the overall landscape.
Technologies: Copywriting, Content Strategy, Writing & Editing, Advertising, Marketing, Branding, Marketing Campaigns, Microcopy, Content Marketing, Content Strategy, Copywriting, Content, Content Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Dashboards, Design Systems, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web Design, Web App Design, Product Design, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Social Media Content, AI Chatbots, User-centered Design (UCD), Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agentic Frameworks, Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
UX Writer | UX Researcher | Content Specialist
2021 - 2022
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
- Wrote consistent messaging across the user journey for a new mobile app, including content and microcopy for buttons, labels, and descriptions, allowing users to schedule appointments, connect with their care team, and track their progress.
- Designed future-facing concepts spanning the digital-physical ecosystem, such as the kiosk and check-in experience, in-room television displays, mobile and tablet applications, wristband integration, and in-room food ordering interfaces.
- Conducted patient interviews and synthesized research findings to identify opportunities for innovation within the healthcare experience at Hoag through both digital and physical touchpoints.
- Led strategic vision workshops and ideation sessions with stakeholders to shape the design direction of our app, plan updates, and unlock new opportunities.
Technologies: Writing & Editing, Content Strategy, Information Architecture (IA), Web Design, UX Design, UX Research, UI Design, Design Systems, Design Leadership, Microcopy, Healthcare, Content Marketing, Design Workshops, Qualitative Research, User Research, User Interviews, Design Strategy, Research, Content Strategy, Copywriting, Content, Content Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Dashboards, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web App Design, Healthcare, Healthtech, Customer Experience (CX) Design, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Social Media Content, User-centered Design (UCD), Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agentic Frameworks, Chatbots, Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
Marketing Copywriter | UX Writer | UX Designer
2020 - 2022
Endeavor
- Crafted user-friendly instructions, contextual help, labels, and descriptions within design parameters in Figma.
- Defined content and wrote marketing copy for an Olympic Games hospitality package website.
- Worked closely with other UI/UX designers to establish navigational structure and design direction for a Super Bowl mobile app; wrote copy for users attending the Super Bowl.
- Designed user flows and screens for web and mobile apps, enabling users to curate event ticket packages.
Technologies: Writing & Editing, Editorials, Learning, IT, UI Design, Design Systems, Design Leadership, Microcopy, Content Marketing, Design Workshops, Design Strategy, Content Strategy, Copywriting, Content, Content Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Dashboards, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web Design, Web App Design, Product Design, Customer Experience (CX) Design, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Paid Media, Social Media Content, User-centered Design (UCD), Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agentic Frameworks, Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
Acting UX Team Manager
2021 - 2021
Lenovo
- Led a team of designers working on a large-scale enterprise application and other initiatives.
- Researched the user experience to uncover pain points and opportunities with the current desktop application, then made recommendations for actionable next steps to be carried out by the design team.
- Assessed the current state of a large enterprise desktop application and identified areas of opportunity for improvement.
- Drove the application redesign and held strategic design workshops to uncover opportunities. Conducted iterative team design review sessions.
Technologies: Adobe Experience Design (XD), Team Mentoring, Design Strategy, Leadership, Windows UI, Management, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Product Design, Product Management, Jira, UXPin, UX Design, UI Design, Design Systems, Design Leadership, Microcopy, Design Workshops, User Research, User Interviews, UX Research, Research, Mobile UI Design, Content, Microcopy, UX Writing, Mobile Web Design, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Dashboards, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web Design, Web App Design, Customer Experience (CX) Design, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Social Media Content, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Chatbots, Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
Marketing Copywriter
2021 - 2021
Teach for America
- Wrote and edited the content for multiple email campaigns.
- Collaborated with designers and other team members to ensure appropriate and on-brand messaging.
- Applied the messaging within design templates to fit the parameters of the design spacing, email length, and other constraints as required for the messages.
Technologies: Information Architecture (IA), Strategy, Market Research, Microcopy, Content Marketing, Copywriting, Content, Content Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Dashboards, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Paid Media, Social Media Content, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Chatbots, Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
Content Writer, Strategist | UX Designer
2020 - 2020
Cloverly, Inc.
- Wrote all copy and organized content for the newly redesigned carbon-offset marketing website.
- Created wireframes and guided the direction of the design team.
- Conducted a content audit and analysis to ensure all information was accounted for when creating new page content.
Technologies: Information Architecture (IA), Energy Utilities, Utilities, Content Strategy, Content, Editorials, Google Sheets, Figma, Design Leadership, Microcopy, Content Marketing, Design Strategy, Copywriting, Content, Content Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, SaaS, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Product Design, Customer Experience (CX) Design, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Paid Media, Social Media Content, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, SaaS Design, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
User Experience Designer II
2018 - 2020
Westfield Insurance
- Designed and oversaw the creation of an internal customer support tool.
- Worked in an agile environment to design and launch a new customer portal.
- Created and advocated for user-centered design solutions across a variety of products, such as the internal customer support tool, customer portal, and agent tools.
- Planned, executed, and analyzed user research to make and implement web and product recommendations.
- Completed competitive and heuristic reviews to determine areas of improvement.
- Presented user experience capabilities and recommendations to internal teams and agency partners.
- Provided input into various UX needs and goals throughout the organization while supporting other teams as needed.
Technologies: Remote Usability Testing, InVision, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Axure, Sketch, UI Design, Design Systems, Design Leadership, Design Workshops, Qualitative Research, User Research, User Interviews, UX Research, Design Strategy, Qualitative Analysis, Research, Mobile UI Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, Mobile Web Design, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Dashboards, Web App Design, Product Design, Customer Experience (CX) Design, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Paid Media, Social Media Content, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
User Experience Lead
2013 - 2018
Publicis Sapient (Rosetta, Razorfish, SapientRazorfish)
- Led user experience and product design initiatives from start to finish, collaborating with clients and overseeing designers on the team.
- Scoped projects to determine UX needs and goals, timing, resourcing, and how user experience fits into the project as a whole.
- Collaborated with developers, business analysts, visual designers, and others to create and deliver digital products.
- Redesigned home security and automation application with daily activity tracking and caregiver capabilities for iOS and Android devices.
- Redesigned and rearchitected a retail clothing website across multiple breakpoints (responsive) to ease consumer navigation and purchasing.
- Redesigned B2B websites for major manufacturers to include eCommerce capabilities such as parts specification, customization, online purchasing, and procurement.
- Designed new concepts and prototypes to convey ideas to clients and determine new functionality for websites and mobile applications.
- Oversaw UX designers and worked with product management teams to ensure quality delivery and strong client relationships.
Technologies: Optimal Workshop, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Sketch, InVision, Axure, UI Design, Design Systems, Design Leadership, Design Workshops, Qualitative Research, User Research, User Interviews, UX Research, Design Strategy, Qualitative Analysis, Research, Mobile UI Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, SaaS, Mobile Web Design, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Dashboards, Web App Design, Product Design, Customer Experience (CX) Design, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Paid Media, Social Media Content, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Chatbots, Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Taxonomy
UX Analyst and Research Coordinator
2012 - 2012
American Greetings
- Analyzed data from online surveys, Google Analytics, Tealeaf, and user testing to determine if business needs and goals aligned with user expectations.
- Developed research plans, recruited participants, and conducted usability sessions for a variety of digital experiences, such as creating personalized photo greeting cards online.
- Uncovered user insights to validate business decisions and uncover user frustrations.
- Recommended changes and enhancements to digital products based on user insights and feedback.
- Designed email templates and created wireframes and user flows based on qualitative data collected.
- Created and analyzed surveys to develop benchmarks, determine customer satisfaction metrics, and collect ongoing feedback.
Technologies: Tealeaf, Axure, SurveyMonkey, Google Analytics, Optimal Workshop, Design Systems, Qualitative Research, User Research, User Interviews, UX Research, Design Strategy, Qualitative Analysis, Research, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Customer Experience (CX) Design, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Paid Media, Social Media Content, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA)
Research Assistant
2010 - 2012
ScanPath Usability Lab
- Prepared findings and recommendations for clients based on usability sessions and eye-tracking data.
- Researched product packaging and branding for a Fortune 500 paint company through eye-tracking and user feedback.
- Wrote a white paper to share industry trends in banking and uncovered insights through one-on-one interviews with bankers and bank managers.
- Tested the experience of creating online personalized greeting cards and recommended updates to the user flow and interactions throughout the screens.
- Analyzed eye-tracking data and compiled qualitative findings from individual usability sessions.
- Developed research plans and facilitated usability sessions and focus groups.
Technologies: Tobii Eye Tracker, Optimal Workshop, Microsoft Office, Qualtrics, Morae, Qualitative Research, User Research, User Interviews, UX Research, Design Strategy, Qualitative Analysis, Research, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Customer Experience (CX) Design, Advertising, Branding, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Social Media Content, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agile, Brand Guidelines, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, B2B, Confluence, Jira, User Interface (UI), Product Research, Qualitative User Research, Quantitative User Research, Branding, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA)
Education
2007 - 2011
Bachelor of Science Degree in Advertising and Marketing
Kent State University - Kent, OH, United States
Certifications
MAY 2026 - PRESENT
UI/UX Design for AI Products
Stanford Online
Skills
Tools
Sketch, InVision, Jira, Confluence, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Analytics, Tealeaf, Morae, Qualtrics, Microsoft Office, Manufacturing, Google Sheets, UXPin, Usertesting.com, MURAL, Figma Make
Platforms
Axure, iOS, Figma, Android, Windows UI, Dovetail
Industry Expertise
Healthcare, Apparel & Accessories, Retail & Wholesale, Telecommunications, Marketing, Advertising
Other
B2B, Responsive Web Design (RWD), User Interviews, Dashboards, Content Strategy, User Experience (UX), Usability Testing, Remote Usability Testing, Interaction Design (IxD), User Flows, Sitemaps, Taxonomy, Information Architecture (IA), UX Design, Responsive UX Design, Mobile UX, Writing & Editing, UX Research, UI Design, Copywriting, UX Writing, Web Design, Design Strategy, User Interface (UI), Product Design, B2C, Design Systems, Design Leadership, Microcopy, Healthcare, Content Marketing, Design Workshops, Qualitative Research, User Research, Qualitative Analysis, Research, Content Strategy, Copywriting, Content, Content Design, Microcopy, UX Writing, B2B, Mobile Web Design, Brand Guidelines, Web UI Design, Web App Design, Healthtech, Customer Experience (CX) Design, Information Architecture (IA), Stakeholder Management, Narrative Design, Instructional Design, Paid Media, Social Media Content, AI Chatbots, AI Prompts, Agentic AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), User-centered Design (UCD), Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Agentic Frameworks, Chatbots, Conversational AI, Agile, Brand Guidelines, Taxonomy, Content Marketing Strategy, Design, Writing, Enterprise Application Design, Enterprise SaaS, Product Research, Qualitative User Research, AI Design, Mobile App Design, A/B Testing, Email Marketing, Design Thinking.User Experience (UX).Information Architecture (IA), Data Science.Data Governance, Branding, Product Discovery, Mobile UI Design, SaaS, A/B Testing, Advertising, Branding, Quantitative User Research, SaaS Design, Optimal Workshop, SurveyMonkey, Tobii Eye Tracker, Navigation, User Validation, eCommerce UX, Online Shopping, Responsive UI, Mobile UI, Personas, HVAC, OEMs, User Journeys, Web UX Design, Responsive, Product Detail Pages, Product Category Pages, Home Automation, Responsive Design, Task Flows, Appliances, Home, Quiz Generation, Consumer Electronics, Ideation, UX Flows, Semiconductors, UX Branding, Mobile UX Design, Website Redesign, User Experience Strategy, User Journey Maps, Advertising Design, Account Management, Public Relations (PR), Business Development, Visual Design, Ad Campaigns, Energy Utilities, Utilities, Content, Editorials, Strategy, Market Research, Learning, IT, Team Mentoring, Leadership, Management, Product Management, Marketing Campaigns, Grammarly, Lovable, Agile UX
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