About Me
I am a Lead Digital Designer and UX/UI specialist with a strong focus on human-centered design, problem-solving, and the creation of meticulously crafted solutions.
I'm enthusiastic about crafting end-to-end user journeys that are data-driven and geared toward empowering the user. My approach involves in-depth research, thoughtful inquiry, and a keen problem-solving mindset. I thrive when I can create comprehensive solutions that breathe life into a narrative.
With over 11 years of experience spanning in-house, design studio, and freelance roles, I bring strengths in creative thinking, cross-functional collaboration, effective problem-solving, research-backed decision-making, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
I'm eager to share my knowledge, challenge assumptions, and embrace opportunities that allow me to dive headfirst into new challenges. My curiosity, enthusiasm, and positive outlook drive me, and I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of getting to know you!
My Areas of Expertise
User-Centered Design
Visual Design
Information Architecture
Prototyping
Usability Testing
User Research
Wireframing
Interaction Design
Accessibility
Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Visual Design
Information Architecture
Prototyping
Usability Testing
User Research
Wireframing
Interaction Design
Accessibility
Collaboration
Problem-Solving
My Design Philosophy
As a designer, I adhere to a set of guiding principles that underpin every decision I make. Upholding these principles is paramount in my daily practice, and they encompass:
Ethics + Empathy
I conscientiously consider how each decision impacts not only the user but also my peers, the industry, and our environment.
Collaboration
Sharing ideas, challenging assumptions, and constantly learning from those around me.
Curiosity
I maintain an insatiable curiosity, perpetually embarked on a journey of discovery. This entails a commitment to learning about people, processes, and the intricacies of our industry.
Enthusiasm:
I approach every challenge with unwavering enthusiasm, seeking to comprehend and address the problem, uncover valuable insights, and craft the optimal user experience.
Accessibility + Inclusivity:
Striving to ensure that every user, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, can access and interact with the digital product. Prioritising inclusive design to make technology accessible to all.
Iteration + Improvement:
Embracing an iterative approach, where designs are continuously refined and improved based on user feedback, changing requirements, and evolving technology trends. Always seeking opportunities for enhancement and growth.
My Process
A step-by-step guide of my ideal process, from the problem, to the solution:
STEP 1
Problem Definition and Research
Engage with stakeholders, conduct a reverse brief, and gather initial insights into user needs and project goals.
STEP 7
Accessibility Evaluation
Dive deep into user behaviours, personas, and journey mapping to gain a thorough understanding.
STEP 2
User Discovery
Dive deep into user behaviours, personas, and journey mapping to gain a thorough understanding.
STEP 8
Design Principles
Adhering to guidelines and standards, providing alternative text, optimising navigation, and promoting inclusivity for individuals with diverse abilities and needs.
STEP 3
Competitor and Content Analysis
Analyse competitors' products and align content strategy with user needs.
STEP 9
Collaboration and Handoff
Collaborate closely with engineering, product teams, or clients to facilitate a smooth transition to implementation.
STEP 4
Design Principles
Establish design principles to guide the project and foster consensus.
STEP 10
Observation and Iteration
Continuously monitor performance and gather insights for future enhancements.
STEP 5
Ideation and Prototyping
Generate design concepts, create wireframes to outline the interface structure, and build prototypes for user testing and iteration.
STEP 11
User Training and Onboarding
Create and refine user training or onboarding experiences as needed to ensure a seamless user journey and understanding of the product.
STEP 6
Usability Testing
User feedback is gathered to iterate and enhance design solutions, aligning them with evolving project goals and user preferences.
STEP 12
Final Implementation
Launch the project and ensure a successful handover.
Work Experience
Canva is a global online platform that empowers users worldwide to effortlessly design diverse content. As a Lead Digital Designer at Canva, I specialise in creating engaging digital experiences for high profile initiatives such as Canva Create, Canva's annual conference, the Magic Studio product launch page, and other significant campaign pages.
In my role, I am responsible for strategic planning and execution, process development, quality control, and resource management within the Brand Experience team. I collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, providing creative direction and mentoring other designers. My duties also include stakeholder management, conducting user research and testing, creating prototypes, ensuring accessibility, refining designs based on feedback and campaign objectives, and iterating on projects based on post launch data to ensure they meet high standards of user engagement and conversion.
In my role, I am responsible for strategic planning and execution, process development, quality control, and resource management within the Brand Experience team. I collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, providing creative direction and mentoring other designers. My duties also include stakeholder management, conducting user research and testing, creating prototypes, ensuring accessibility, refining designs based on feedback and campaign objectives, and iterating on projects based on post launch data to ensure they meet high standards of user engagement and conversion.
Established in 2018, Owl.co is a claims monitoring software designed to eradicate bias in the fraud detection process. As a newly introduced product to the market, I focused on building the brand identity and setting Owl.co apart from competitors through the product, website, and various sales enablement and marketing materials.
Freelance Designer (UI/UX + Art Direction)
December 2019 - December 2020, Vancouver, Canada
December 2019 - December 2020, Vancouver, Canada
In my role as a freelance designer, I dedicated my time to creative problem-solving, maintaining direct client interactions, and fostering collaborative efforts to deliver design solutions that both clients and end-users could enthusiastically embrace. My portfolio includes collaborations with various companies, such as TELUS, Okta, DotDigital, Quietly, GoFetch, and others.
While at Clio, a legal practice management software company, I took on several significant responsibilities. This included leading the design for the annual Legal Trends Report in 2018 and 2019, participating in the redesign of the Clio website, and contributing to the overall Clio rebrand. Additionally, I played a key role in producing high-conversion landing pages for feature releases and created various assets to support marketing objectives and initiatives. In the absence of our Creative Director, I also provided art direction informally.
During my time at Whippet, an independent creative agency, I collaborated with major Australian retailers and consumer brands, contributing to the creation of engaging and personable customer communications. Notable brands in my portfolio included Coles, Chadstone Shopping Centre, Cadbury, Flybuys, Anaconda, and others. I worked on a diverse array of projects, spanning print, packaging, campaign branding, digital campaigns, experience design, and more.
During my time at Dahlsens, I served as an in-house designer, overseeing various projects from initial briefing to the final production stages. A crucial aspect of this role involved tailoring communication to specific target audiences and understanding their mindsets to craft impactful and innovative designs.
My time at The Ark Clothing Co. marked my entry into the creative industry and provided valuable hands-on experience. During my tenure, I played a pivotal role in the brand redesign and also contributed to the website designs for their sister company, Nikel + Sole.
Education
User Experience Design
June 2017 – August 2017
BrainStation, Vancouver, Canada
June 2017 – August 2017
BrainStation, Vancouver, Canada
Social Media Advertising
September 2015
AIM, Melbourne, Australia
September 2015
AIM, Melbourne, Australia
Bachelor of Design
(Visual Communication)
March 2010 – November 2012
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
(Visual Communication)
March 2010 – November 2012
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Professional Development
Foundational Management Training
March 2019
Basecamp, Vancouver, Canada
March 2019
Basecamp, Vancouver, Canada
The Design Kids, City Host
January 2018 – August 2018
Vancouver, Canada
January 2018 – August 2018
Vancouver, Canada
Monash Study Abroad Program
2012
Monash University, Prato, Italy
2012
Monash University, Prato, Italy
The Short List, Member
2013 – Current
2013 – Current
Australian Graphic Design Association, Member
2012 – 2016
2012 – 2016
Nice things people have said about me
"Not only is Renee extremely detail-oriented in her visual work, but she constantly asks the right questions in projects and gives constructive feedback, ensuring we were always looking at the whole picture.
On top of that, she is extremely organised and on top of her work while bringing her fun and bright energy to wherever she goes. 10/10 would recommend working with her to anyone."
– Thaira Bouhid, Senior UX Designer, Shopify
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"I absolutely loved collaborating with Renee. She is a talented and detail orientated designer who is not afraid to question the status quo and give constructive feedback or input.
I would not have been able to do my job without Renee and I would recommend her to every and any company or team. Any team would be lucky to have her."
– Geraldine O'Reilly, Growth Marketing Manager, Clio
Let's have a chat!
renee.devalle@gmail.com