Karen Vardazaryan
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Columbus, OH, United States
Toptal member since September 17, 2021
Karen's 18-year journey in tech uniquely blends UI/UX design with AI, impacting millions. At PicsArt, his designs captivated a global audience, while Alias AI showcases his innovative use of technology in design. His leadership roles, including those at Joomag and ventures like Memopin, highlight his ability to drive user engagement through thoughtful design. Karen's approach reflects a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the digital experience.
Portfolio
Work Experience
Creative Director
NytStnd
- Built relationships with the internal teams such as design, marketing, and account management.
- Made a user-friendly web layout that is adapted to branding guidelines.
- Created a store design template that works with all plugins and add-ons.
Lead Product Designer
BeFake
- Led the UI/UX design for BeFake, an AI-augmented social network, achieving rapid user growth and recognition in top media outlets.
- Drove the app to secure $3 million in seed funding by showcasing innovative design and user engagement strategies.
- Spearheaded a design team to launch BeFake, achieving "App of the Week" and notable app store chart positions.
- Implemented user research and testing methodologies to guide design decisions, enhancing user satisfaction and product usability.
- Collaborated with engineering to ensure the seamless integration of design and functionality, setting new industry standards for AI and UX.
User Experience Lead
Memopin
- Carried out the competitive research, value proposition and business canvas, empathy maps, and user interviews, defining the MVP scope.
- Defined scenarios, built interaction patterns, and created the product's logic with wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes, carrying out A/B testing.
- Created UI, brand style, and visual language for the whole company and different product parts—web portal, dashboard, and mobile app.
User Experience Consultant
Tactun
- Worked on the concept, design, and implementation of a product collaborating with developers, designers, and other team members.
- Created style guides, recognized patterns, and built documentation with team members.
- Collaborated with team members to give feedback and improve processes.
- Evaluated user experience to affect strategy and roadmaps.
Head of Design
Joomag
- Established an artistic strategy and schedules for key project design.
- Developed and designed ideas and execute artistic material as needed.
- Managed the team and projects and monitored the profitability of the jobs.
- Established and maintained a link between creative employees and management.
Art Director
Oculus Branding Agency
- Led and directed website design, copy, animation, social media materials, illustrations, and other assets.
- Contributed to the development of the brand, naming, brand identity package, messaging and taglines, and rebranding.
- Took over and managed client communication, contributing to the development of information architecture, prototyping, design and assets, and interactive animations.
User Experience Prototyper
PicsArt
- Wireframed, prototyped, and mocked up user experiences.
- Designed wireframes, user stories, and mockups with different units and UX designers.
- Collaborated with product managers, engineers, researchers, product designers, and QA.
- Oversaw the implementation of the user experience from product conception to launch as well as post-launch design support.
UI/UX Lead, UX Consultant
ShowMe
- Participated as a lead and consultant for ShowMe— a platform for the easiest way to create and share lessons on iPad, Android tablets, and Chromebooks. Educators from over 65,000 schools use ShowMe to flip their classrooms.
- Took a project from the research phase all the way through to the visual design and execution stages of a project. Collaborated with front-end developers and strategists to deliver creative solutions.
- Worked on the concept, wireframe, and design of high-quality interfaces across all viewports. Mentored other designers and offered critiques to improve deliverables.
- Planned and executed all aspects of creative deliverables for eCommerce projects.
- Conducted research and designed solutions that resonate with target audiences.
Top Level Freelance Designer
Freelance
- Engaged directly with client representatives and creative directors during project briefs to ensure a unified, client-centered approach to visual solutions.
- Worked within brand and style guidelines, delivering novel visual solutions that support larger campaign goals.
- Produced prototypes and test functionality. Designed layouts, graphic elements, and design systems.
Education
Computer Software Engineering and Networks in Bachelor's Degree
State Engineering University of Armenia - Yerevan, Armenia
Skills
Tools
Sketch, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Figma, InVision, Photoshop Design, Photoshop CC, Adobe, Shopify Plus, Adobe Illustrator, Pixate Studio, UX Canvas, Adobe CC, Miro, Postman, Canva, Wix
Platforms
WordPress, Android, iOS, Mapbox, Web, Shopify
Industry Expertise
Consumer Products, Entertainment & Leisure
Languages
HTML, CSS
Other
Web UX, Mobile UX, SaaS Design, Prototyping, Travel Design, Value Proposition, Mobile UI, UX Design, Pitch Presentations, Workflow, SaaS, User Interface (UI), eCommerce UX, Web Portals, Branding, UI Design, Cross-platform UX, B2B, B2B2C, Software as a Service (SaaS), Agency Websites, Mobile Design, Graphic Design, Brand Design, Logo Design, Logotype, WordPress Design, Infographics, Style Guides, Business Services, Consumer-facing Product Design, PowerPoint Design, Investor Presentations, Pitch Deck Consultant, Pitch Decks, Presentation Design, Visual Design, Shopify Design, Shopify Theme, Landing Page Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive Web Apps, User Experience (UX), Reporting, Web App UX, Web App UI, Dashboard Design, Product Design, Web Design, MVP Design, Maps, UI Maps, UI Branding, Marketing Design, Social Media Design, User Journeys, User Flows, Mobile App Design, Social Ad Design, Business to Business to Consumer (B2B2C), Design Systems, Web Applications, Design Thinking, Mockups, Illustration, Typography, Photography, Website Design, Microsoft Teams, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Agile, Information Architecture (IA), User Research, Font Design, Web UI, Wireframing, Creative Direction, Portal Design, Web Dashboards, Computer Networking, Software Engineering, User Interviews, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), A/B Testing, Empathy Mapping, IT Management, Customer Portals, Adobe UX, Mobile eCommerce, eCommerce Web Design, WordPress eCommerce, eCommerce UI, eCommerce Platforms, Wireless, Internet of Things (IoT), OpenAI, Squarespace, UX Prototyping, Social Games, Gamification, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Social Networks, Demos, Startups, Investing, Teamwork, Machine Learning, Image Generation, Billboard Design, UI Motion, Animation, Lottie
Experience
- Web UX - 17 years
- UX Design - 11 years
- Creative Direction - 11 years
- Prototyping - 6 years
- Mobile UX - 6 years
- SaaS Design - 6 years
- Travel Design - 3 years
- Adobe Experience Design (XD) - 2 years
Tools
- Adobe Experience Design (XD)
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