Rafael is available for hire
Hire RafaelRafael J. Hernandez
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
Miami, United States
Toptal Member Since
May 6, 2022
Rafael is a Miami-based product designer with extensive experience in delivering elegant, human-centered design solutions that balance business objectives and user needs. When joining projects, he is able to catch up quickly and work through problems without precise requirements. Rafael focuses on driving value to businesses and solving user pain points through design.
Work Experience
Product Designer (Consultant)
2014 - PRESENT
Self-employed
- Managed a small team of designers, performed and synthesized research into actionable recommendations, and designed two experiences that addressed major pain points for Beeline, a vendor management system company at Fuego UX.
- Led design efforts, understanding user needs and translating those into experiences that empower major retailers with the right tools and technology to fight organized crime at Treuth and PBC.
- Oversaw product design for the consumer-facing app that facilitates bachelorette parties through question-and-answer games for Toast and Roast.
Technologies: Adobe CC, Figma, User Journey Maps, MVP Design, Prototyping, Branding, UX Wireframes, B2B, Mobile, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web App UI, Responsive Web Apps, Visual Design Language, Product Strategy, UX Flows, Mobile Apps, Mobile Design, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Web Design, Mobile UX, Design Systems, User Interviews, Management, Dashboards, User Research, UX Design, Landing Pages, Design Leadership, Best Practices in Design, UX Strategy, Design, Apps, Workshops, Roadmaps, Feature Prioritization
Adjunct Lead Design Instructor
2021 - 2023
ThriveDX
- Led online courses and taught all aspects of user experience and interface design to individuals looking to switch careers and enter the field at the University of Miami, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and NJIT.
- Provided mentorship and coaching to set learners up for success as they entered the job market.
- Lectured on design fundamentals, color theory, typography, grids and layouts, software tools, presenting design, and portfolio preparation.
Technologies: Figma, Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC, InDesign CC, User Journey Maps, Design Leadership
Product Design Consultant
2020 - 2020
Self-employed
- Designed a transportation management system that allowed the client to better serve their customers with their car shipping needs.
- Collaborated with a client to bring quote and order generation, status tracking, order management, order history, and billing under one system. This was previously handled through separate solutions.
- Managed a client through the project, providing recommendations and implementing designs. The new tool increased productivity, helped minimize errors, and brought simplicity to an otherwise messy process.
- Conducted interviews and design reviews with users to align our recommendations with their needs. Worked extensively with customer's user base to ensure pain points were addressed.
Technologies: Adobe Experience Design (XD), Miro, Visual Design, Figma, Creative Problem Solving, Creative Direction, Wireframing, UX Design, Mobile App Design, Business Requirements, Enterprise Design, Product Design, User Flows, iOS, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI Design, UI Design, Dashboard Design, Information Architecture (IA), User Journeys, MURAL, Mobile UI, App Design, SaaS, Competitive Analysis, Mockups, User Testing, Mood Boards, Rapid Prototyping, User Journey Maps, MVP Design, Prototyping, UX Wireframes, B2B, Mobile, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web App UI, Responsive Web Apps, Visual Design Language, Product Strategy, UX Flows, Mobile Apps, Social Media Apps, Mobile Design, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Web Design, Mobile UX, User Interviews, User Research, Design Leadership, Best Practices in Design, UX Strategy, Design, Apps, Workshops, Roadmaps, Feature Prioritization
User Experience Design Consultant
2015 - 2020
IBM
- Created a mobile app experience that helped Coca-Cola field technicians troubleshoot, service, and repair vending machines and related equipment. Successful launch led to clients signing up for more apps to continue evolving the way they worked.
- Designed an intuitive user experience on iPad and Apple Watch for insurance company Amica. The app supercharged the claim adjuster's workflow by taking analog processes, using rich analytics, and leveraging iOS technologies to simplify duties.
- Created a mobile experience for Coppell Independent School District that provided school administrators with rich, high-level insights into classroom performance, empowering them to elevate educational standards for teachers and students.
- Provided creative direction and orchestrated the design of a suite of apps for BNSF. Apps enabled clients to manage service providers and contracts and handle billing and other administrative tasks from the same platform.
- Designed a content management tool that paired with IBM Box. The tool enabled users to create and store documents that could be quickly accessed during the sales lifecycle.
Technologies: Adobe CC, Sketch, MURAL, UX Design, Visual Design, Creative Problem Solving, Creative Direction, Design Thinking, Wireframing, iOS App Design, Mobile App Design, Enterprise Design, Product Design, User Flows, iOS, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI Design, UI Design, Dashboard Design, Information Architecture (IA), User Journeys, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Mobile UI, App Design, SaaS, Competitive Analysis, Mockups, User Testing, Mood Boards, Rapid Prototyping, User Journey Maps, MVP Design, Web App Design, eCommerce, Prototyping, Branding, UX Wireframes, B2B, Mobile, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web App UI, Responsive Web Apps, Visual Design Language, Product Strategy, UX Flows, Mobile Apps, Mobile Design, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Web Design, Mobile UX, Design Systems, User Interviews, Management, Dashboards, User Research, Design Leadership, Best Practices in Design, UX Strategy, Design, Apps, Workshops, Roadmaps, Feature Prioritization
User Interface Designer
2014 - 2015
Grainger
- Redesigned the eCommerce experience for Fabory (property of Grainger), leveraging Hybris Accelerator’s out-of-the-box framework.
- Created a visual style guide for the Fabory website leveraging Grainger's design system.
- Collaborated on the design and deployment of the new Grainger website.
Technologies: Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, Visual Design, Creative Problem Solving, Product Design, User Flows, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), eCommerce UX, UI Design, App Design, eCommerce, UX Wireframes, B2B, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web App UI, Visual Design Language, UX Flows, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Web Design, User Research, UX Design, Best Practices in Design, UX Strategy, Design, Feature Prioritization
Education
2002 - 2003
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Communications
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay - Green Bay, WI, USA
Certifications
DECEMBER 2011 - PRESENT
Certificate in Creativity and Innovation
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Experience
Collaboration That Works
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