Hello! 👋 I’m Matt Bulbul, a Product Designer specializing in UX/UI design, visual design, and design systems. Over the past seven years, I’ve been joining forces with brilliant minds, consulting for startups 🚀, and flexing my design muscles 🎨 working remotely with agencies, all while putting the user at the heart of every design decision.
With a passion for creating complex, meaningful products that exceed user expectations, my designs are not just visually compelling, but user-centric too. By maintaining a seamless link between people and ideas, I push the boundaries of what’s possible in user experience.
I firmly believe in Don Norman‘s “fail fast, learn fast” approach, seeing every iteration as a stepping stone to crafting incredible MVPs that hit the mark. We called it at Strava MAPs (Minimum Awesome Product) If it’s not measurable, it’s not manageable in my book. So I ensure that every design decision can be backed up with data and insights. 📈
Throughout my journey, I’ve navigated varied industries such as tech 💻, retail 🛍️, non-profit, e-commerce 🛒, and startups, always with a keen eye for enhancing user experience and aesthetics. This diverse experience has enabled me to master new fields and convert that knowledge into impactful design solutions.
On the side, I’ve nurtured a fascination with the intersection of design and generative AI 🤖, investing my spare time in exploring its potential to revolutionize future digital experiences. 🐕
When I’m not designing, I’m likely immersed in design literature 📚, seeking visual inspiration, or indulging in my sushi 🍣 cravings.
And yes, I proudly wear the title of an iced caramel latte 🥤 enthusiast! If you’d like to chat about design, business needs, the intriguing world of generative AI, or just exchange notes on making a sublime latte, feel free to give me a shout.
Download My Resume
Work experience
Freelance Product Designer
Jan 2023 – Present, San Francisco Bay Area
Independently contract with startups, offering freelance product design services that prioritize user-centric design for both native apps and web platforms. Continuously refine and implement design processes while providing mentorship and developing design systems.
Some of my notable freelance projects include:
Artisse.ai – Led the design efforts in creating captivating user experiences and visually striking interfaces for an innovative AI-generated photo social network. Delivered across native apps and web platforms.
Petsy.ai – Working on an ambitious personal project to transform pet photos into stunning digital masterpieces using generative AI.
Strava – Staff Product Designer
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023, San Francisco
Enhanced community engagement and storytelling by developing key social features and video tools. Redesigned the user-friendly onboarding experience and devised an intuitive body map UX for the Recover Athletics app, aiding in runners’ injury prevention and management.
Fetch Rewards – Senior Product Designer
March 2021 – Jan 2022, Chicago
Key contributor to the ‘Solo to Social’ initiative, designing features that transformed Fetch Rewards from a single-user to a socially-engaging, gamified platform, increasing user retention and engagement.
King – UX/UI Designer
May 2020 – Dec 2020, San Francisco Bay Area
Worked on the Candy Crush Royalty Program, where I leveraged my UX/UI design skills to increase the sign-up ratio from 30% to 50%. I achieved this by enhancing user experience, introducing gamified elements, and creating an incentivized sign-up flow to engage and retain players.
Karmia – Senior UX/UI Designer
Sept 2019 – May 2020, San Francisco Bay Area
Led the design team to create tailored user experiences and data visualizations for charity donations. Mentored junior designers and contributed to UX research and testing. Notably, amplified donor engagement and retention through strategic UX enhancements.
Apple – Interactive Production Designer
Aug 2019 – Sept 2019, San Francisco Bay Area
Via Hogarth Worldwide worked at Apple for a new product launch. Collaborated with the product team to provide localized user interface designs. Developed mockups and prototypes for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Catalina OS.
BRANDCLINIC – Product Designer
July 2016 – Aug 2019, San Francisco Bay Area
Le City Deluxe – Art Director
April 2014 – July 2016, Miami
Created innovative magazine layout designs, developed templates for e-newsletters, presentations, and sales kits, and designed UI and layouts for social media accounts, resulting in increased user engagement.
Havas (Euro RSCG) – Graphic Designer
Sept 2010 – April 2014, Dubai
Developed creative concept designs and presentations for high-profile clients like Air France, Jotun, and Evian. I oversaw all design projects from conception to delivery, ensuring high-quality and timely deliverables.
Skills
Research
Remote User Research, Measuring UX and ROI, Analytics and User Experience, Journey Mapping, Design Exploration, Survey, Interview, Persona & Scenario, Usability Testing, User Flow, Task Flow, A/B Testing.
Brand
Design Systems & Style Guides, Visual Brand Identity & Brand Development.
Design
Visual Design, Interaction Design, Wireframes & Mockups, Rapid Prototyping.
Tools
Pen and Paper, Figma, Miro, Protopie, Sketch, Zeplin, Jira, Slack, Invision, XD, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Balsamiq.
Languages
English, Russian, Turkish.
Education
Designlab – UX Academy
User Experience Design
September 2019
Designlab – Design 101
Design Systems
June 2019
Mega University
Graphic Design
June 1999
Achievements
NN/g Group UX certified – 1053407
St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY 2015 – 2016 Guest Speaker / Branding
Volunteer at Peace Islands Institute helped to organize events and forums to develop perspectives on social issues and build relationships among diverse cultures and traditions.
Projects
Petsy.ai
Jan 2023 – Present
Working on an ambitious personal project to transform pet photos into stunning digital masterpieces using generative AI.
