HI THERE!
I'm Dennae Makel,
I'm Dennae Makel,
a User Experience Designer with a side passion for visual design. Over the last 7 years, I've had the pleasure to work on award-winning projects with some of coolest people and 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 Manager | 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.
- Oversee design libraries for web and app and manage a team of product designers that support our feature teams.
- Determine 6 month - 2 year initiaves that support our team vision and Wayfair's goals
- Work with design, content strategy, and engineering to establish processes and guidelines to manage the design system.
- Work with UX research to understand the design system user and our customers.
- 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 Chobani'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