(she/her)/ Design researcher

l

📍 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Hey there, future collaborator! 👋 I'm Shahrzad, a User Experience / HCI Researcher with a Ph.D. journey in Design 🎓, diving deep into the awesome world of User Experience Research and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). My brain buzzes with ideas about domestic and social computing 🏡, digital health tech (especially for kiddos and their caregivers! 🧑‍🧒‍👦) , making remote work awesome 💻, and super-charging how we connect through tech 💬.

I turn user problems into measurable business outcomes.

I've been in the design game for over 8 years, and trust me, I'm all about turning those "aha!" user insights into designs that are not just beautiful, but also incredibly inclusive and evidence-based. I absolutely love teaming up with smart folks from all sorts of backgrounds 🤝 , guiding junior researchers 멘토 , and making sure our designs get better and better through a super user-focused approach.

Here's a peek at what makes me tick:

• User Research & Discovery 🔍
  • Specialized in uncovering user needs through comprehensive attitudinal and behavioral research.
  • Experienced in designing for diverse populations: children, older adults, patients, and clinicians.
  • Conducts in-depth qualitative research, including:
    • User interviews, contextual inquiries, ethnography
    • Diary studies, focus groups
    • Usability testing, A/B testing
  • Gathers actionable insights to inform design.
• UX & Product Design ✨
  • Transforms concepts into intuitive and delightful digital experiences.
  • Designs and evaluates user-centered digital health apps (e.g., for BC Children's Hospital).
  • Ensures high usability and adherence to healthcare regulations.
  • Expertise in creating detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished mock-ups.
  • Develops visually stunning, user-friendly websites and digital products for medical organizations.
  • Leads end-to-end design processes: from user research and wireframing to prototyping and implementation.
  • Aligns design with business goals and user needs.
  • Applies product design principles for accessible interfaces, enhancing user interaction across web and mobile.
• Art Direction & Brand Storytelling 🎭
  • Leads visual storytelling and brand identity with a creative vision.
  • Directed creative vision for a major theatre complex in Tehran, overseeing:
    • Stage set design, visual branding, promotional materials.
  • Ensured brand consistency and captivating audience experiences.
  • Created cohesive branding and digital assets for marketing campaigns and outreach.
• Human-Centered & Inclusive Design 🤗
  • Core philosophy: placing users at the heart of every design decision.
  • Strong advocate for inclusive accessibility design.
  • Committed to creating solutions usable and enjoyable for all individuals.
• Collaboration & Team Leadership 🤝
  • Excels at fostering strong collaboration within multidisciplinary teams (clinicians, developers, UX designers).
  • Delivers technically sound and user-centric solutions.
  • Proven track record:
    • Leading iterative design cycles with stakeholders.
    • Managing diverse teams (designers, marketers, technical staff).
  • Promotes cross-functional collaboration to enhance efficiency and innovation.
• 3D Modeling 🖼️
  • Proficient in 3D modeling using SolidWorks, Rhino Cores, AutoCAD, and 3DS Max.
  • Creates detailed and impactful models.
• Lecturing & Knowledge Sharing 👩‍🏫
  • Shared design expertise as a University Lecturer at Islamic Azad University.
  • Taught courses: Industrial Design Fundamentals, Sketching, Design Thinking, Human Factors.

My Design Skills:

• Methods: Human-Centered Design (HCD) , Mixed-Methods Research , Ethnography , Observations , Surveys , Focus Groups , Usability Testing , Data Mapping (Empathy Map, Journey Map) , Iterative Prototyping , Inclusive Accessibility Design , Agile , Field studies , Lab studies , Semi-Structured Interviews , Diary studies , Concept Validation , Observational data collection , Literature review and synthesis , Qualitative Questionnaire , UX Metrics and KPIs , Design Systems , Responsive Design , Information Architecture , Graphic and Visual Design , SaaS Product and Solutions , Accessibility Design Thinking , Planning and Facilitation , Creative Problem Solving , Presentation and Storytelling.
• Tools: Figma , Fig Jam , Miro , Jira , Notion , Adobe , InVision , Maze , SolidWorks , Rhino Cores , Webflow , Auto CAD , 3DS MAX , Trello , Google analytics and Hotjar , Slack.
• Soft Skills: Cultural Awareness , Teamwork and Cross-functional Collaboration , Building Consensus with Stakeholders , Communication Skills , Leadership , Conflict Resolution , Time Management , Adaptability.

That's me in a nutshell! Ready to create some amazing experiences together? 🌟