Okan is available for hire
Hire OkanOkan Yikmis
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
Istanbul, Turkey
Toptal Member Since
March 27, 2021
Okan is a senior product designer with over a decade of experience in both agency and corporate settings. His expertise includes web, responsive design, application technologies, design principles, and prototyping. Okan's designs for a television and radio company saw 5,000,000 downloads within a year and reached 250,000 users in a highly competitive space. He has expert-level knowledge of the fintech, telecommunication, retail, entertainment, technology, education, and airline industries.
Portfolio
Work Experience
Senior Product Designer and Design Lead
2019 - PRESENT
Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) — TRT Dinle
- Led the design and whiteboard sessions. Created visual designs and specifications, sketches, wireframes, and interactive prototypes. Ensured every piece of work met Pulselive standards for visual and usability quality.
- Defined product direction and focus, worked collaboratively with product managers and leadership to make crucial decisions about what to prioritize.
- Oversaw all design aspects and led the digital brand identity and related content typography, colors, guideline rules, and service design materials.
- Collaborated with Agile, multi-disciplinary teams to evaluate the feasibility of proposed features and created phased approaches to development.
- Designed user-friendly screens for mobile, web, TVs, and car screens while employing the user researchers to ensure the UX quality of every design decision was vetted by user feedback.
- Achieved 5,000,000 downloads within a year and reached 250,000 users during the beta launch phase within a few months in a highly competitive space with global rivals.
- Collaborated with internal, external, and C-level stakeholders to stay focused on the product design updates, define the strategic objectives for upcoming design decisions, and ensure the product roadmap and updates were communicated regularly.
- Led the product's digital marketing strategy and design to become successful on digital platforms. Collaborated with other teams to ensure we were using solutions and consistent patterns that sparked engagement.
- Created production-ready design assets and worked with engineers to ensure a high-quality experience was shipped.
Technologies: Figma, Sketch, Principle, InVision, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Wireframing, Prototyping, User Research, Customer Experience, UI Branding, Visual Assets, Building Services Design, Service Design, Mobile App Design, Web Design, Responsive Design, Typography, FontLab, Adobe After Effects, Web App UX, Web App UI, High-fidelity Prototypes, Web App Design, Website Redesign, Mobile-first Design, UX Design, UI Design, iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Audio Streaming, Music Streaming, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, Leadership, Brand Guidelines, High-fidelity Mockups, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, Content Management Systems (CMS), UX Research, Design Sprints, Mobile, Web, User Journeys, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Information Architecture (IA), User Flows, TV UI, Responsive Web Apps, UI Animation, High-end Design, Mockups, UX Wireframes, UX Architecture, Card Sorting, UX Wireflows, Responsive UI, System Design, B2C, Product Design, Video Streaming, Web & Mobile Applications, UX Strategy, Rewards Programs, Product Roadmaps, App Design, Loyalty Schemes, UX Assessment, Feature Prioritization, Mobile Design, Social Networks, UI Components, Style Guides, Material Design, Design Thinking, Low-fidelity Mockups, Web Applications, Insurance, Design Leadership, Interface Design, Podcasting, Audio, User Testing, Design Strategy
Senior Product Designer
2018 - 2019
TRT (Multiple Projects) TRT Belgesel—TRT İzle—TRT Çocuk
- Led the design for the Kids Entertainment Platform redesign, video streaming service redesign, and a brand new documentary channel platform for TRT (Turkish radio and television).
- Supported the design concepts, functional specifications, and interactive design guidelines on your projects by creating motion, grid, and UI guides, as needed.
- Communicated design ideas and concepts to internal stakeholders as well as client teams.
- Created and presented UX ideas, wireframes, and user flows, using human-centric design practices that include rationale based on customer research and best practices.
- Participated in design research, user research, and usability testing.
- Liaised with other product owners, leads, and managers to make sure consistency across products and platforms.
- Collaborated with clients on digital and branding projects.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Figma, Cinema 4D, Cover Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), User Interviews, Material Design, App UI, App UX, Design Principles, Prototyping, Web App UX, Web App UI, High-fidelity Prototypes, Web App Design, Website Redesign, Mobile-first Design, UX Design, UI Design, iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, Leadership, Brand Guidelines, High-fidelity Mockups, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, Content Management Systems (CMS), UX Research, Design Sprints, Mobile, Web, User Journeys, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Information Architecture (IA), Wireframing, User Flows, TV UI, Responsive Web Apps, UI Animation, High-end Design, Mockups, UX Wireframes, UX Architecture, Card Sorting, UX Wireflows, Responsive UI, System Design, B2C, Product Design, Video Streaming, Web & Mobile Applications, UX Strategy, Rewards Programs, Product Roadmaps, App Design, Loyalty Schemes, UX Assessment, Feature Prioritization, Mobile Design, Social Networks, UI Components, Style Guides, Design Thinking, Low-fidelity Mockups, Web Applications, Insurance, Jira, Mobile App Design, Design Leadership, Interface Design, Podcasting, Audio, User Testing, Design Strategy
Senior Product Designer
2017 - 2019
TRT World
- Owned the idea from the initial phase to the final product.
- Evaluated and interpreted user research findings to wireframe or prototype solutions.
- Performed audits on your designs once they were built. Created sketches, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
- Ran design workshops, brainstorming, and design sessions that bring stakeholders and others along the product development journey.
- Partnered with key individuals across the business from the product, editorial, marketing, and data team to achieve shared goals.
- Communicated progress and design rationale to key partners by designing and delivering presentations.
- Tested and iterated on concepts and designs that explored ideal future ideas. Identified new interaction solutions and patterns that met customer needs in a better way.
Technologies: Sketch, InVision, Figma, User Research, App UI, App UX, Web UX, Web UI, Prototyping, UX Prototyping, Web App UX, Web App UI, High-fidelity Prototypes, Web App Design, Website Redesign, Mobile-first Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), UX Design, UI Design, iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, Leadership, Brand Guidelines, High-fidelity Mockups, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, Content Management Systems (CMS), UX Research, Design Sprints, Mobile, Web, User Journeys, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Information Architecture (IA), Wireframing, User Flows, Responsive Web Apps, UI Animation, High-end Design, Mockups, UX Wireframes, UX Architecture, Card Sorting, UX Wireflows, Responsive UI, System Design, B2C, Product Design, Video Streaming, UX Strategy, Rewards Programs, Product Roadmaps, App Design, Loyalty Schemes, UX Assessment, Feature Prioritization, Mobile Design, Social Networks, UI Components, Style Guides, Material Design, Design Thinking, Low-fidelity Mockups, Web Applications, Insurance, Jira, Mobile App Design, Design Leadership, Interface Design, Audio, User Testing, Design Strategy
UI/UX Design Lead
2015 - 2017
Arox Informations System
- Led UI/UX projects using a creative design thinking methodology, which provides web design and software solutions for well-known companies. I guided the design of all our productions.
- Crafted interactive stories and engaging brand experiences.
- Created rich website and mobile app designs using the new generation interaction trends.
Technologies: Agile Sprints, Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Museums & Exhibits, Immersive Experiences, App UI, App UX, Web UX, Web UI, Web App UX, Web App UI, High-fidelity Prototypes, Web App Design, Website Redesign, Mobile-first Design, Food & Beverage, eCommerce, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), UX Design, Education, UI Design, Learning Management Systems (LMS), iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, Health & Wellness, Fintech, Banking & Finance, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, Leadership, Brand Guidelines, High-fidelity Mockups, Financial Design, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, UX Research, Design Sprints, Mobile, Web, User Journeys, eCommerce Web Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, Figma, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Information Architecture (IA), Wireframing, User Flows, Responsive Web Apps, High-end Design, Mockups, UX Wireframes, UX Architecture, Card Sorting, UX Wireflows, Responsive UI, eCommerce UI, eCommerce UX, B2C, Product Design, UX Strategy, Rewards Programs, Product Roadmaps, App Design, Loyalty Schemes, UX Assessment, Feature Prioritization, Mobile Design, Social Networks, UI Components, Style Guides, Material Design, Design Thinking, Low-fidelity Mockups, Web Applications, Insurance, Jira, Mobile App Design, Design Leadership, Interface Design, User Testing, Design Strategy
UX/UI Design Lead
2014 - 2015
Mobi Wan Digital Agency
- Spearheaded the creative direction of all UX/UI design at the agency for the main brand, Turkcell. Oversaw art direction for Turkcell.com.tr. Delivered web and app design for Turkcell.com.tr and Turkcell mobile interfaces.
- Created a good customer experience by understanding expectations and delivering accordingly.
- Put the user at the heart of an innovative, unique, and rewarding experience.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Web App UX, Web App UI, High-fidelity Prototypes, Website Redesign, Mobile-first Design, eCommerce, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), UX Design, UI Design, iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, Health & Wellness, Banking & Finance, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, Brand Guidelines, High-fidelity Mockups, Finance, Financial Design, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, UX Research, Design Sprints, Mobile, Web, User Journeys, eCommerce Web Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, UX Wireframes, Product Design, UX Strategy, Product Roadmaps, App Design, UX Assessment, Feature Prioritization, Social Networks, UI Components, Style Guides, Design Thinking, Low-fidelity Mockups, Web Applications, Jira, Mobile App Design
Senior UX/UI Designer
2013 - 2014
Wise Agency
- Led UX strategies, conducted research, crafted wireframes through user-centered designs, concepted prototyping for both interfaces and interactions.
- Created UI interfaces according to user research. Developed style sheets for those custom interfaces.
- Designed websites and mobile applications for companies such as Vodafone, Akbank, Pointapp, FırsatbuFırsat, and Mekan.com.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Website Redesign, Mobile-first Design, eCommerce, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), UX Design, Education, UI Design, Learning Management Systems (LMS), iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, Banking & Finance, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, Brand Guidelines, High-fidelity Mockups, Finance, Financial Design, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, UX Research, Design Sprints, Mobile, Web, eCommerce Web Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, UX Wireframes, Product Roadmaps, App Design, UX Assessment, Feature Prioritization, UI Components, Style Guides, Web Applications, Healthcare, Mobile App Design
Digital Art Director and UX Designer
2012 - 2013
Happy People Project Agency
- Spearheaded the UX and UI design for Garanti BBVA Bank.
- Created iconography assets and 3D Icons for specific flows.
- Designed and directed the art direction of the website and promotional brand Items.
- Received the Garanti BBVA bank website award for best interaction design website 2012-2015.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Website Redesign, eCommerce, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), UX Design, UI Design, iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, Fintech, Banking & Finance, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, High-fidelity Mockups, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, UX Research, Mobile, Web, eCommerce Web Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, UX Wireframes, App Design, UX Assessment, Feature Prioritization, UI Components, Web Applications, Healthcare, Mobile App Design
Art Director and Interaction Designer
2009 - 2012
MediaCom Agency
- Designed and curated the exhibition design for the Museum of Modern Art Istanbul.
- Created 50+ designs for press according to client brand identity, including business cards, flyers, brochures, and magazines for the exhibitions.
- Designed the kiosk interface for selected exhibitions.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Branding, Adobe Illustrator, Apple Keynote, Print Design, Museums & Exhibits, Digital Kiosks, Interaction Design (IxD), Website Redesign, eCommerce, User Experience (UX), UX Design, UI Design, iOS, Mobile App UI, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Gamification, White Labeling, Ideation Workshops, High-fidelity Mockups, Experience Design, Interactive Design, Mobile Apps, Ideation, User Retention, Visual Design, UX Research, Mobile, Web, eCommerce Web Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Atomic Design, Agile, Iconography, UX Wireframes, App Design, Feature Prioritization, UI Components, Web Applications, Healthcare
Education
2013 - 2015
Master's Degree (90% Scholarship) in User Experience Design
Istanbul Bilgi University - Istanbul, Turkey
2009 - 2013
Bachelor's Degree, (100% Scholarship) in Visual Communication Design
Istanbul Bilgi University - Istanbul, Turkey
2006 - 2009
Bachelor's Degree in International Business
Vienna Economy University - Vienna, Austria
Certifications
JUNE 2015 - PRESENT
Custom Typography and Font Design
ISType
MAY 2015 - PRESENT
Interaction Design
Istanbul Bilgi University