HI THERE!
I'm Dennae Makel,
I'm Dennae Makel,
a User Experience Designer with a side passion for visual design. Over the last 5 years, I've had the pleasure to work on award-winning projects with some of the most talented people and coolest brands.
I believe great product design comes from a focus on the right questions, not the right answers. I strive to create functional, delightful and valuable experiences that leave a positive impact on people, our communities and the environment.
a User Experience Designer with a side passion for visual design. Over the last 5 years, I've had the pleasure to work on award-winning projects with some of the most talented people and coolest brands.
I believe great product design comes from a focus on the right questions, not the right answers. Caring about sustainability and longevity, I strive to create functional, delightful and valuable experiences that leave a positive impact on people and the environment.
Work Experience
Wayfair
Product Design Lead | Remote USA | March 2021 - Present
- Execute responsive and scalable design solutions across web, mobile web, and app, with an emphasis on visual design and micro interactions.
- Work with design, content strategy, and engineering to establish processes and guidelines to manage the design system.
- Collaborate with product, design, and development managers to influence a roadmap and product backlog for the design system.
- Work with UX research when necessary to better understand the design system user.
- Advocate for the system’s mission and process to other groups within the larger organization.
- Identify and nurture team growth and culture by supporting engagement programs and contribution efforts.
DICK'S Sporting Goods
Senior User Experience Designer | Pittsburgh, PA | Oct. 2017 - March 2021
Led UX research and design efforts to push the boundaries of eCommerce and design system experiences. Conducted and synthesized research to support user insight discovery, machine learning for enterprise-wide search system, and eCommerce behavior.
Evangelized for the creation of DICK'S Sporting Goods Homefield Design System for all eCommerce, enterprise, warehouse, and store tools.
Collaborated and led teams of designers, product managers, software engineers, data-scientists, analysts and marketing creatives in an Agile environment.
Stink Studios
User Experience + Interaction Designer | Brooklyn, NY | May 2017 - September 2017
Created boundary-pushing experiences for a diverse range of clients that merged omnichannel touchpoints with engaging designs. Completes UX research, design, wireframing, IA structures, contentstrategies, user testing/research, and working on editing client CMS and presentations.
- Increased household penetration from 33.8% to 37.7% by revitalizing a food product’s brand strategy through a digital redesign and campaign
- Created museum and social campaigns that spread to new audiences on Wired, Fast Company, Ad Age, and AdWeek
Carrot Creative
UX Design Intern | Brooklyn, NY | Jun. 2016 - Aug. 2016
Collaborate on multiples projects with design, strategy, and tech that improved multidisciplinary ideas, increased engagement, and drove growth.
Clients: Unilever, Dove, Rick and Morty, South Park, Adult Swim
Reporter Magazine
Art Director | Rochester, NY | Feb. 2015 - May-2017
Lead a team of 20+ creatives in fast-paced concepting and visual development of the magazine to help strategize the most engaging content.
Ellipse Magazine
Art Director | Rochester, NY | Sept. 2016 - Dec. 2016
Lead a passionate team to create an overall vision for our nationally-award winning magazine and communicate a cohesive product in print and digital.
Cooley Creative LLC.
Associate UX Designer | Rochester, NY | Dec. 2015 - Apr. 2016
Strategize online design outreach with local business and non-profits.
Butler/Till
Creative Graphic Design Intern | Rochester, NY | Jun. 2015 - Aug. 2015
Create and strategize a comprehensive digital and experiential marketing campaign with flexibility in design and attention to detail.
Recognition
Chobani.com Awwwards 2018
Site of the Day | 2018
GD USA Magazine Designer to Watch 2017
GD USA Magazine | 2017
6 Gold ADDY Awards for ellipse
National, Regional and Rochester Advertising Federation | 2017
1st Place Starbucks Packaging Challenge
Starbucks + Chase Design | 2017
Involvement
Steel City UX Ladies
Member | Pittsburgh, PA | June 2020 - Present
Connect with women in tech to receive design mentorship, discuss new technology trends, and create diverse relationships across different industries.
UX Pittsburgh
Member | Pittsburgh, PA | June 2019 - Present
Learn from designers, developers and strategists about the latest research journals, AI, prototyping, accessibility and more.
RIT Mentorship
Mentor | Remote | Nov. 2017 - Present
Mentor designers (UX, Graphic, Print, etc) on college projects, portfolio creation, interviewing, and job hunting.
American Institute for Graphic Arts (AIGA) at RIT
Engagement Leader & Mentor | Aug. 2014 - May 2017
Coordinate events, social media posts, workshops and seminars for AIGA members and mentor new designers.
Technical Association for the Graphic Arts (TAGA)
Web, UI, and Editorial Designer | Aug. 2015 - May 2016
Design, organize and publish yearly editions on printing methods, workflow management, and graphic arts field research.
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Leader | February 2014 - May 2017
Connect with professionals across a variety of industries and elevate high-achieving students.
Tools & Methods
Research
Tools: Qualtrics, UserTesting, UserInterviews, Adobe Analytics, SessionCam
Methods: User Interviews, Information Architecture, Survey Creation, Field Research, Heuristic Evaluation, Usability Discovery, Observational Research, Insight Analysis, Card Sorting
Design
Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, Invision, Zeplin, Abstract, Framer (and basic HTML/CSS)
Methods: Prototyping, Design Workshops, Design Systems, Wireframing, Documentation, Concept Development, Presentation Storytelling, Interaction Discovery, Animation
Education
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY | 2013 - 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design | GPA: 3.97
Minor in Advertising & Public Relations
Product Designer
dennaelmakel@gmail.com
2015 - Present
412-720-5045