Publication
How a Single Front-End Engineer Can Replace a Team of Two
https://www.toptal.com/developers/front-end/learn-to-code-as-a-design-learn-to-design-as-a-coder
Tom is currently unavailable
Tom Kozacinski
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
London, United Kingdom
Toptal member since June 13, 2013
Bio
Tom is a vision-oriented product design leader who places a strong emphasis on communication and collaboration. Beyond design, he is an international speaker and Techstars mentor with experience driving businesses forward. One of his key strengths is empathy, and he prioritizes user-centric design, understanding the needs of end users and aligning them with business goals. Tom can communicate his ideas and vision clearly and effectively across the board.
Experience
- Product Design - 10 years
- Prototyping - 10 years
- Dashboard Design - 10 years
- User Experience (UX) - 10 years
- Customer Experience - 10 years
- Mentorship & Coaching - 6 years
- Stakeholder Management - 6 years
- Stakeholder Engagement - 6 years
Portfolio
Sprout.AI Platform
AI DesignExplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)Product DesignUX DesignUI DesignProduct Management+ 8 more
Work Experience
Freelance Product Designer | UX/UI | Management
2013 - PRESENT
Toptal Clients
- Successfully launched multiple innovative products that improved user experience.
- Mentored and trained junior designers to grow professionally and increase team productivity.
- Conducted user research for various clients to create user-centric designs.
- Managed stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery within timelines and budgets.
- Wore multiple hats as a product designer, UX designer, app designer, and project manager to increase project efficiency.
- Developed design systems to ensure design consistency and branding.
- Created and managed design sprints to speed up the product development process.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align design goals and deliver successful products.
Technologies: Adobe, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, InVision, Stakeholder Management, Kanban, Design Systems, Product Design, UX Design, UI Design, Project Management, Agile Project Management, Figma, Product Management, Stakeholder Interviews, Team Mentoring, UX Mentoring, Public Speaking, Motivational Speaking, Conference Speaking, Technical Hiring, Startup Weekend, Consulting, Startup Consulting, Software Consulting, Product Consultant, Product Strategy Consultant, Mobile Prototypes, Prototyping, User Testing, User Research, User Validation, Wireframing, Interaction Design (IxD), Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Layout Design, Mood Boards, Branding, Web Design, Android, Mobile UX Design, Mobile Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, Web App Design, Logo Design, Websites, Collaboration, B2B, Mockups
Lead Designer
2021 - 2022
Sprout.AI
- Collected user and stakeholder feedback to prioritize product features and enhance user adoption and engagement.
- Worked with data scientists to design AI-powered features that improved user satisfaction.
- Established design systems and guidelines for a consistent user experience.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver the product on time and within budget.
- Addressed ethical and privacy concerns when using the AI and implemented privacy and security measures to gain user trust.
Technologies: Design Systems, User Experience (UX), Product Design, Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), AI Design, User Interface (UI), Product Management, Service Design, User Research, UX Research, Stakeholder Interviews, Wireframing, Interaction Design (IxD), Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Layout Design, Mood Boards, Web Design, Figma, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, Web App Design, Collaboration, Leadership, B2B, Rapid Prototyping, Mockups
Senior Product Designer
2018 - 2018
Rocket Lawyer, Ltd.
- Conducted UX research.
- Designed UI/UX.
- Defined user journeys and story maps.
- Designed services.
- Oversaw user testing.
Technologies: Flinto, Principle, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, InVision, Wireframing, Interaction Design (IxD), Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Layout Design, Mood Boards, Web Design, Mobile UX Design, Mobile Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, Web App Design, Websites, Collaboration, Rapid Prototyping, Mockups
Chief Product Officer
2015 - 2018
Storyboard, LLC
- Conducted comprehensive product research and discovery to inform design decisions, resulting in client satisfaction.
- Successfully managed and mentored a team of designers that increased project efficiency.
- Conducted extensive user research, gathering feedback from dozens of users and stakeholders and implementing changes that led to a 20% decrease in user errors.
- Designed and facilitated sprint workshops and planning sessions, leading to a significant increase in project completion time.
- Managed stakeholder requirements, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of project milestones and resulting in an increase in stakeholder satisfaction.
Technologies: Product Design, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Customer Experience, Management, Teamwork, Branding, Web Design, Wireframing, Interaction Design (IxD), Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Layout Design, Mood Boards, WordPress, Android, Mobile UX Design, Mobile Design, Dashboard Design, Web App Design, Landing Page Design, Logo Design, Websites, Collaboration, Leadership, Mockups
Lead UX/UI Designer
2013 - 2014
Tripcommon, LLC
- Redesigned the PhoneGap MVP to the new iOS 7 look.
- Designed the app user experience.
- Designed the user interface.
- Worked as part of a team on product design.
- Redesigned and coded the company and product website.
Technologies: User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, InVision, Web Design, Wireframing, Interaction Design (IxD), Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Layout Design, Mood Boards, Android, Mobile UX Design, Mobile Design, Dashboard Design, Landing Page Design, Websites, Collaboration, Rapid Prototyping
Lead Designer, Business Owner
2008 - 2013
Kozacinski, LLC
- Designed responsive websites.
- Designed and developed WordPress themes.
- Handled client branding and visual identity design.
- Designed UI/UX for native mobile apps.
- Designed and implemented eCommerce pages.
- Developed front-end features in HTML, CSS, and JS.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, HTML5, Branding, Web Design, Wireframing, Interaction Design (IxD), Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Layout Design, Figma, WordPress, Android, Mobile UX Design, Mobile Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, Web App Design, Landing Page Design, Logo Design, Websites, Collaboration, Leadership, Rapid Prototyping
Graphic and Web Designer
2007 - 2008
Imperito Company
- Designed branding, logos, and visual identity.
- Worked on website design, newsletters, and online marketing.
- Handled promotional apparel design (e.g., t-shirts).
- Created print designs, including posters, flyers, brochures, advertising equipment, and roll-up banners.
- Managed press quality control.
Technologies: WordPress, HTML, CSS, Branding, Web Design, Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Layout Design, Mobile UX Design, Landing Page Design, Logo Design, Websites, Collaboration
Other Experience
Education
2007 - 2009
Coursework in Computer Graphics
Polytechnic of Zagreb - Zagreb, Croatia
Skills
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, InVision, Marvel, Adobe, Principle, Flinto
Languages
HTML5, CSS, HTML
Platforms
iOS, Adobe Experience Cloud, WordPress, Android, Figma, Apple, WatchOS, Apple Watch
Other
Dashboard Design, Branding, Web Design, Customer Experience, SaaS Design, Web App Design, Web App UX, Web App UI, Human Interface Design, User Interface (UI), UI Design, User Experience (UX), Interaction Design (IxD), User Research, User Stories, Product Design, User Flows, User Testing, Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, Wireframing, UX Design, Mockups, Stakeholder Engagement, Pixel Perfect, Visual Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Layout Design, Mood Boards, Mobile UX Design, Mobile Design, Landing Page Design, Logo Design, Websites, Collaboration, Leadership, Enterprise, B2B, HTML UI, Web UI, Data Visualization, Mentorship & Coaching, Stakeholder Management, Product Management, Team Management, iOS UX Design, iOS UI Design, App Design, WatchOS UI, iOS App Design, Management, UX Strategy, Information Architecture (IA), Web UX, Design, Stakeholder Interviews, Content Management Systems (CMS), App UI, Fintech, Crypto, Cryptocurrency Wallets, Mobile UI, Cryptocurrency Payments, Typography, Front-end, Web Development, Graphic Design, Teamwork, AI Design, Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), Android UI Design, Project Management, Kanban, User Validation, Design Systems, Service Design, UX Research, Agile Project Management, Team Mentoring, UX Mentoring, Public Speaking, Motivational Speaking, Conference Speaking, Technical Hiring, Startup Weekend, Consulting, Startup Consulting, Software Consulting, Product Consultant, Product Strategy Consultant, Mobile Prototypes
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