[About]
I’m Zalak Patel, a Chicago-based UX/UI Designer with over 10 years of experience, currently pursuing a Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction at DePaul University. I design with purpose—solving real user problems and creating intuitive, engaging digital experiences that bridge the gap between people and technology.
My process follows a research-to-launch approach, combining user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing within Agile teams. I prioritize accessibility by aligning my work with WCAG guidelines and explore how AI-driven tools can enhance personalization, efficiency, and overall user impact.
I have led cross-functional teams and collaborated with both startups and large organizations, driving results through empathy, strategy, and innovation. My goal is to design solutions that are not only functional but also meaningful and inclusive.
My process follows a research-to-launch approach, combining user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing within Agile teams. I prioritize accessibility by aligning my work with WCAG guidelines and explore how AI-driven tools can enhance personalization, efficiency, and overall user impact.
I have led cross-functional teams and collaborated with both startups and large organizations, driving results through empathy, strategy, and innovation. My goal is to design solutions that are not only functional but also meaningful and inclusive.
Pay attention to what users do, not what they say.
Pay attention to what users do, not what they say.
-Jakob Nielsen
[Skills & Expertises]
Research Methods & Analysis
User Research, Usability Testing, User Interviews, Competitive Analysis, Affinity Mapping, Consumer Research, Card Sorting, Heat map analysis, Qualitative Research, Survey Design, Market Research, A/B Testing
Research Methods & Analysis
User Research, Usability Testing, User Interviews, Competitive Analysis, Affinity Mapping, Consumer Research, Card Sorting, Heat map analysis, Qualitative Research, Survey Design, Market Research, A/B Testing
Research Methods & Analysis
User Research, Usability Testing, User Interviews, Competitive Analysis, Affinity Mapping, Consumer Research, Card Sorting, Heat map analysis, Qualitative Research, Survey Design, Market Research, A/B Testing
Design & Human Factors
Business Consulting, Innovation Strategy, Experience Design, Information Architecture, Wireframes, User Interface Design, High Fidelity Prototypes, Interaction Design, Graphics Design / Illustrations, Enterprise Design System, Social Media Design & Marketing
Design & Human Factors
Business Consulting, Innovation Strategy, Experience Design, Information Architecture, Wireframes, User Interface Design, High Fidelity Prototypes, Interaction Design, Graphics Design / Illustrations, Enterprise Design System, Social Media Design & Marketing
Design & Human Factors
Business Consulting, Innovation Strategy, Experience Design, Information Architecture, Wireframes, User Interface Design, High Fidelity Prototypes, Interaction Design, Graphics Design / Illustrations, Enterprise Design System, Social Media Design & Marketing
Tools & Expertise
Figma + ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Relume.io, Perplexity.ai, Gemini, Google AI Studio, Adobe Suite (XD,Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, InDesign, Acrobat Pro), Sketch, InVision, Microsoft Clarity, Post Hog, Axure, Balsamiq, Affinity, Keynote, Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Later, MS Office, Proto.io, Marvel App, Design and Prototyping AI tools
Tools & Expertise
Figma + ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Relume.io, Perplexity.ai, Gemini, Google AI Studio, Adobe Suite (XD,Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, InDesign, Acrobat Pro), Sketch, InVision, Microsoft Clarity, Post Hog, Axure, Balsamiq, Affinity, Keynote, Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Later, MS Office, Proto.io, Marvel App, Design and Prototyping AI tools
Tools & Expertise
Figma + ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Relume.io, Perplexity.ai, Gemini, Google AI Studio, Adobe Suite (XD,Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, InDesign, Acrobat Pro), Sketch, InVision, Microsoft Clarity, Post Hog, Axure, Balsamiq, Affinity, Keynote, Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Later, MS Office, Proto.io, Marvel App, Design and Prototyping AI tools
[Experience]
DePaul University
Research Assistantship
Jan 2025 - Present
Chicago, IL, United States
Investigated the relationship between fidget (MindCube) behavior and cognitive states, designing an experiment with four distinct task conditions to measure fidgeting under varying levels of focus and stress.
Analyzed fidgeting patterns using video and eye-tracking data, revealing key insights such as increased fidgeting in high-stress conditions and reduced fidgeting during high-focus tasks.
DePaul University
Research Assistantship
Jan 2025 - Present
Chicago, IL, United States
Investigated the relationship between fidget (MindCube) behavior and cognitive states, designing an experiment with four distinct task conditions to measure fidgeting under varying levels of focus and stress.
Analyzed fidgeting patterns using video and eye-tracking data, revealing key insights such as increased fidgeting in high-stress conditions and reduced fidgeting during high-focus tasks.
DePaul University
Research Assistantship
Jan 2025 - Present
Chicago, IL, United States
Investigated the relationship between fidget (MindCube) behavior and cognitive states, designing an experiment with four distinct task conditions to measure fidgeting under varying levels of focus and stress.
Analyzed fidgeting patterns using video and eye-tracking data, revealing key insights such as increased fidgeting in high-stress conditions and reduced fidgeting during high-focus tasks.
Group 8A
UX UI Specialist
Apr 2021 - Aug 2024
Newyork, United States
Pro Standard Mega Menu: +35% conversion rate, +40% revenue, +50% mobile sessions — improved navigation & accessibility.
DanceBody Website Redesign: +45% bookings, +50% online revenue — optimized user flow, visuals, social media design, checkout & CTAs.
Group8a Reporting Dashboard: Unified analytics hub integrating multiple platforms — boosted efficiency and decision-making.
Bubble UX Research: Identified navigation issues — redesign led to 30% faster task completion and 40% higher user satisfaction.
Group 8A
UX UI Specialist
Apr 2021 - Aug 2024
Newyork, United States
Pro Standard Mega Menu: +35% conversion rate, +40% revenue, +50% mobile sessions — improved navigation & accessibility.
DanceBody Website Redesign: +45% bookings, +50% online revenue — optimized user flow, visuals, social media design, checkout & CTAs.
Group8a Reporting Dashboard: Unified analytics hub integrating multiple platforms — boosted efficiency and decision-making.
Bubble UX Research: Identified navigation issues — redesign led to 30% faster task completion and 40% higher user satisfaction.
Masterly Solutions
Freelance UX UI & Graphics Designer
Apr 2020 - Apr 2021
Ahmedabad, India
Masterly Brand Identity: Led end-to-end branding — logo, website, social media — resulting in a 60% increase in client inquiries and a strong digital presence.
Cooperstown Dreams Park Website & App: Designed 50+ immersive pages with mega menu, live scores, schedules, and family guide — 45% user engagement boost, 30% rise in tournament registrations; reinforced its #1 Baseball Tournament status.
Masterly Solutions
Freelance UX UI & Graphics Designer
Apr 2020 - Apr 2021
Ahmedabad, India
Masterly Brand Identity: Led end-to-end branding — logo, website, social media — resulting in a 60% increase in client inquiries and a strong digital presence.
Cooperstown Dreams Park Website & App: Designed 50+ immersive pages with mega menu, live scores, schedules, and family guide — 45% user engagement boost, 30% rise in tournament registrations; reinforced its #1 Baseball Tournament status.
Probo Robotics: Designed full brand experience (website, logo, aesthetics) with user research, wireframing, and usability testing — results included increased traffic, engagement, brand awareness, and a growing client base.
Moviesbyespresso: Led research and CRO audit, analyzed market trends — delivered actionable insights that improved user engagement, conversion rates, and overall market positioning.
Moviesbyespresso
Design Head & Digital Marketing Specialist
Sept 2019 - Apr 2020
Pasadena, USA
Probo Robotics: Designed full brand experience (website, logo, aesthetics) with user research, wireframing, and usability testing — results included increased traffic, engagement, brand awareness, and a growing client base.
Moviesbyespresso: Led research and CRO audit, analyzed market trends — delivered actionable insights that improved user engagement, conversion rates, and overall market positioning.
Moviesbyespresso
Design Head & Digital Marketing Specialist
Sept 2019 - Apr 2020
Pasadena, USA
Milestone Inc.
UX UI Designer
Aug 2018 - Aug 2019
Ahmedabad, India
Waterfront Resort: Enhanced hospitality UX with intuitive UI, interactive graphics, event calendar, and booking widget — resulted in 30% higher engagement and 25% more bookings.
IBC Banking Experience: Led end-to-end design of the user journey — improved usability and visual appeal, leading to 40% increase in user satisfaction and 20% boost in transaction efficiency.
Milestone Inc.
UX UI Designer
Aug 2018 - Aug 2019
Ahmedabad, India
Waterfront Resort: Enhanced hospitality UX with intuitive UI, interactive graphics, event calendar, and booking widget — resulted in 30% higher engagement and 25% more bookings.
IBC Banking Experience: Led end-to-end design of the user journey — improved usability and visual appeal, leading to 40% increase in user satisfaction and 20% boost in transaction efficiency.
Vivacious Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Web, Graphics & UX UI Designer
Dec 2014 - Jul 2018
Ahmedabad, India
Millennium Tiles: Designed engaging social media graphics — led to 50% increase in engagement, strong growth in followers and client inquiries, and higher impressions.
Echelon Fit: Conducted UX audit and heatmap analysis — enhanced site navigation and UX, resulting in a 35% boost in conversion rates, reinforcing its position in the fitness market.
Vivacious Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Web, Graphics & UX UI Designer
Dec 2014 - Jul 2018
Ahmedabad, India
Millennium Tiles: Designed engaging social media graphics — led to 50% increase in engagement, strong growth in followers and client inquiries, and higher impressions.
Echelon Fit: Conducted UX audit and heatmap analysis — enhanced site navigation and UX, resulting in a 35% boost in conversion rates, reinforcing its position in the fitness market.
Group 8A
UX UI Specialist
Apr 2021 - Aug 2024
Newyork, United States
Group 8A
UX UI Specialist
Apr 2021 - Aug 2024
Newyork, United States
Masterly Solutions
Freelance UX UI & Graphics Designer
Apr 2020 - Apr 2021
Ahmedabad, India
Masterly Solutions
Freelance UX UI & Graphics Designer
Apr 2020 - Apr 2021
Ahmedabad, India
Moviesbyespresso
Design Head & Digital Marketing Specialist
Sept 2019 - Apr 2020
Pasadena, USA
Moviesbyespresso
Design Head & Digital Marketing Specialist
Sept 2019 - Apr 2020
Pasadena, USA
Milestone Inc.
UX UI Designer
Aug 2018 - Aug 2019
Ahmedabad, INDIA
Milestone Inc.
UX UI Designer
Aug 2018 - Aug 2019
Ahmedabad, INDIA
Vivacious Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Web, Graphics & UX UI Designer
Dec 2014 - Jul 2018
Ahmedabad, INDIA
Vivacious Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Web, Graphics & UX UI Designer
Dec 2014 - Jul 2018
Ahmedabad, INDIA
