Driven by Purpose

As a first-generation Mexican American designer, I’m excited to bring my UX/UI skills and unique perspective to projects that make a difference, especially for underrepresented communities. Driven to design intuitive, impactful interfaces that inspire and connect.

Education

B.F.A. in Communication Design, CUNY - New York City College of Technology, NY, US, 2022-2025

Dean’s List Honors Recipient, GPA: 3.6/4.0

  • Focus on human-centered design, design thinking, and prototyping, with graphic design, brand identity,     and campaign development expertise.

  • Developed skills in creating illustrations, infographics, and cohesive visual strategies for diverse projects.

B.F.A. in Communication Design, CUNY - Borough of Manhattan Community College, NY, US, 2016-2018

GPA: 3.2/4.0

  • Studied various subjects, enhancing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.

Experience

UI/UX Design Intern, CUNY - New York City College of Technology, New York, NY, January 2025 — Present

  • Designed and developed a set of 30 icon graphics for the City Tech website, ensuring inclusivity and accuracy to represent diverse school activities, enhancing navigation and comprehension for the approximately 14,500+ students.

  • Conducted research on existing college newsletter platforms and analyzed the Computer Information Systems department’s information needs to develop a user-friendly architecture, effectively mapping the student and faculty journey to access

Augmented Reality Development and Digital Storytelling Extern, Snap Inc. (Formerly Snapchat), Remote, USA, September 2024 — November 2024

  • Applied UI/UX design principles to develop 6+ engaging AR lenses using Snap Lens Studio, resulting in a 25% increase in user interaction through intuitive user flows and interactive storytelling.

  • Conceptualized and implemented original marketing strategies leveraging AR experiences, boosting brand visibility and user engagement by 20%.

Exhibit Design Research Intern, The New York Climate Exchange, New York, NY, June 2024 — August 2024

  • Conducted extensive user-centered site research on Governors Island, evaluating 5+ locations for biomimetic architecture, incorporating historical context from 2 museum collaborations and user traffic patterns.

  • Led prototyping of biosensors for the 'Mound' project, developing 3+ prototypes with Arduino and circuitry research under faculty guidance and establishing a technical foundation.

Graphic Design Intern, B. Stuyvesant Champagne, New York, NY, January 2023 — August 2023

  • Designed a 4-mini champagne bottle package, achieving an 85% efficiency rate through strategic planning and user testing, contributing to a 13% increase in sales.

  • Increased user engagement by 70% through designing flyers and signage using Adobe Creative Suite, incorporating user testing to optimize design and enhance customer satisfaction.

UX Researcher, CUNY - New York City College of Technology, New York, NY, December 2022 — January 2023

  • Conducted user interviews with faculty and staff, ensuring informed consent and fostering 95% trust, resulting in high-quality data collection, and providing key insights into user needs and experiences.

  • Synthesized user insights through empathy maps and detailed research notes, improving data analysis accuracy by 80% and providing key findings for strategic decisions.

Skills

  • Proficient in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Augmented Reality Softwares

  • Strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

  • Ability to conduct comprehensive user research and usability testing.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Personal qualities

  • Creative and innovative thinker with a keen eye for aesthetics.

  • Strong communicator, capable of effectively articulating design concepts.

  • Collaborative team player with a positive attitude.

  • Passionate about staying current with technology and design trends.

  • Empathy-driven designer with a passion for inclusive, user-centered experiences.

Interests

  • Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in technology and design.

  • Reading, especially psychology and self-help books

  • All things cat-related

  • Sketching both in digital and traditional art

Interested in connecting?

Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything design (or about kitites)!

Copyright 2024 by Franchesca Salas