AZADEH GHALEHNOVI
Experienced industrial & Product designer with a robust foundation in research, data collection, and data analysis, fueled by a passion for user experience design and creating innovative products based on user behavior. Eager to contribute to dynamic teams and interdisciplinary approaches.
SKILLS
• Design: User-centered Design, User Research, Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methodologies, Ideation, High & low-fidelity wireframing, Prototyping, Storyboarding, Usability Testing, Interaction Design, Accessibility, Color Theory, Visual Design, Design systems
• Tools: Figma, Fig Jam, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Miro, Mural, Procreate, WordPress, SolidWorks, Keyshot, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace.
• Communication & Presentation Skills
AFFILIATIONS
IDSA | Member of Industrial Designers Society of America
IxDF | Professional Member of Interaction Design Foundation Community
WORK HISTORY
Graduate Assistant, Global Asian Studies Program at UIC, Chicago, USA 01/2022 – 05/2024
· Developed promotional and graphical materials to highlight the potential of the Global Asian Studies (GLAS) program to current and prospective community members.
· Produced a weekly e-newsletter and regularly updated the program website with the latest news and events.
· Researched the printing process and market opportunities for upcoming graphical program projects.
UI/UX Intern, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Chicago, USA 05/2023 - 08/2023
• Collaborated with the Product Design team, UX researchers, and Innovation team to design the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) for both Desktop and Mobile Apps for an insurance company.
• Analyzed data from UX research teams to deliver actionable design criteria and enhance the user journey.
• Created a comprehensive journey map, design scenarios, and low and high-fidelity wireframes, culminating in a detailed prototype on Figma.
Industrial Designer (Part-time), Kara Design Co., IRAN 09/2010 - 09/2021
• Designed and built over 10 interactive products and environments for children.
• Designed and built the first Kids & Future City in Iran to teach citizenship and urban rules through indirect education and playful learning paths. The city accommodates up to 100 children simultaneously.
Industrial Designer, Deghat Wood Industry, IRAN 05/2015 - 02/2016
• Served as the primary designer for custom bedroom furniture collections based on client insights.
• Contributed to the design of 10 projects, focusing on creating wooden furniture and products for various hotels in Iran, enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of each hotel.
• Managed the promotion of new products on the company website.
Lead Product Designer, Afarinesh Design Group, IRAN 09/2014 - 05/2015
• Led a team of five graphic and industrial designers to create urban furniture and elements.
• Delivered 8 urban elements for city beautification during Nowruz.
• Provided a family set of urban furniture, including lighting, benches, trash bins, flower boxes, and fences, for the Tehran municipality.
EDUCATION
Master of Design, Industrial & Product Design, University of Illinois Chicago, USA 05/2024
Board of Trustees Fellowship, Larson Scholarship, Teaching Assistantship at UIC School of Design.
MA, Publication Management, Imam Reza International University, IRAN 02/2013
Publication management focuses on printing media, bookmaking, and the printing and publishing process.
The master Thesis was accepted and supported as a research project by the IRAN’s Union of Publishers.
BA, Industrial & Product Design, Azad University of Mashhad, IRAN 06/2010
Honored as the top student in the Class of 2006.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certificate of Master Class: " Accessible and Inclusive Design Pattern," Interaction Design Foundation.
Certificate of Master Class: "How to Create Successful Design System with Storytelling," Interaction Design Foundation.
Certificate of Learning Path: "Become a User Experience Designer," LinkedIn Learning.
Certificate of Course Completion: "Website Design Training," LinkedIn Learning.
Certificate of Course Completion: "Dieter Rams: Principles of Good Design," LinkedIn Learning.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Larson Scholarship for Academic Excellence, UIC School of Design, Spring 2024.
2023 Chicago Consular Corps Professional Development Award for international students' research, Funded by World Business Chicago in collaboration with the international consulate community in Chicago, 2023.
Board of Trustees Fellowship, UIC School of Design, Spring 2022.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Courses: Color Theory, Design Drawing, Packaging Design, Printing, Environmental Graphic Design.
Teacher Assistant, UIC School of Design, Chicago, USA. Jan 2024-May 2024
Adjunct Faculty:
Sama College of Mashhad, Iran. 2013 – 2021
Ferdows Institute of Higher Education, Iran. 2015 - 2021
University of Applied Sciences, Mashhad Municipality, Iran. 2016 - 2021
Alzahra University, Mashhad, Iran. 2017 - 2021
University of Applied Sciences, Farhang & Honar II, Iran. 2013 - 2016