Mike Michalik
UX Designer
Location
Berlin, Germany
Toptal Member Since
April 21, 2020
Mike has over a decade of experience in UX and UI design creating innovative habit-forming solutions for digital agencies, startups, and companies like Evo and smava. He uses his expertise in game design and AR/VR to apply 10x improvements to products, especially in the area of sustainability, personal growth, and habit-forming. Mike's solutions are based on thorough user research and an understanding of the business environment.
Mike is available for hire
Hire MikePortfolio
Work Experience
2021 - PRESENT
Senior UI/UX Designer
Klang Games
- Fostered the creation of a design system and laid the foundations, guidelines, and vision of this initiative.
- Introduced systematized UX methodologies to the company and designed the process for the agile/functional teams to work with the UI/UX designers.
- Advocated for the UX strategy, process, and documentation to be a part of the product development.
- Designed, together with the creative director and game designers, a cohesive player experience vision and a best-practices-informed roadmap on how to get there.
Technologies: Figma, FigJam, Miro, Unity3D, User Personas, UX Design, Information Architecture (IA), Product Design, Ideation, User Testing, Design Thinking, Design Systems, Usability Heuristics, Wireframing, User Research, Prototyping, User Flows
2016 - PRESENT
UX/UI Designer
Freelance
- Designed AI and AR-ready farm management app that proved this solution was a valid approach to improving farm sustainability in developing countries.
- Designed a stress management course for NY-based coach training leaders from Fortune 500 companies.
- Designed a blockchain database concept that applied gamification elements to guide user behavior.
- Evaluated existing beer brewing applications and created a concept for a more habit-forming and gamified version of the product.
- Created various branding and UI concepts for products and websites.
Technologies: Zeplin, InVision, Sketch, Figma, Miro, Adobe Experience Design (XD), User Personas, UX Design, Information Architecture (IA), Product Design, Ideation, User Testing, Design Thinking, Design Systems, Usability Heuristics, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Flows
2018 - 2019
UX Designer
smava
- Improved the registration and checkout user experience and performance.
- Participated in the creation of the design system and UX guidelines for the company.
- Collaborated with the UXR team to design and conduct user research projects.
- Introduced design thinking methodologies to the team.
- Involved in creating the strategy and setting company goals.
Technologies: Abstracts, InVision, Sketch, User Personas, UX Design, Information Architecture (IA), Product Design, Ideation, User Testing, Design Thinking, Design Systems, Usability Heuristics, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Flows
2017 - 2018
UX Designer
Apply Digital
- Gathered requirements from user representatives and stakeholders for a car-sharing company's back-office tool.
- Created an innovative workflow for a back office; as a result, the task duration was significantly shortened.
- Created wireframes for a car-sharing company's back-office tool.
- Created prototypes for a car-sharing company's back-office tool.
- Tested and showcased the prototypes to validate the direction with the client.
Technologies: InVision, Sketch, User Personas, UX Design, Information Architecture (IA), Product Design, Ideation, User Testing, Design Thinking, Usability Heuristics, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Flows
2012 - 2016
Game Designer
Artifex Mundi
- Took the lead on the 3rd installment of the popular Hidden Object series, Nightmares from the Deep.
- Designed gameplay for the successful Dark Arcana: The Carnival game (4.4 rating on iTunes and Android, 9/10 on Steam).
- Designed gameplay and story for Grim Legends 3, DLC, and Enigmatis 3 DLC.
- Designed gameplay and story for a F2P title, Nightmares from the Deep: A Hidden Object Adventure.
- Researched, optimized, and tweaked the gameplay, aiding in designing the metagame and conducting prototype tests.
Technologies: Game Engine Programming, Adobe Photoshop, Unity3D, Product Design, Ideation, User Testing, User Flows
Experience
User Personas - 10 yearsUser Flows - 10 yearsProduct Strategy - 10 yearsGamification - 8 yearsUser Testing - 8 yearsPrototyping - 8 yearsUser Research - 8 yearsWireframing - 8 yearsLocation
