A little bit about myself

Born in Poland, studying in Poland and Portugal, living and working in Poland, Scotland, Portugal, Turkey, USA, and now in Spain –has gifted me with a perspective that combines elements from both the East and the West; artfully balancing extravagance with simplicity. My ability to empathize and pick up on cultural nuances has been shaped by the diversity of cultures and languages I was surrounded with.

I am deeply curious and empathetic, with a passion for figuring out why people do what they do.

In my free time, I like to spend active time with my family, travel, and doodle- I like to say that in my previous life, I was an artist - feel free to check out my art portfolio ;)


MY UX PROCESS: A Blend of Adaptability, Collaboration, and Data-Driven Insights

While there's no single, definitive UX process, all successful approaches share common goals: understanding user needs, aligning with business objectives, defining problems, crafting solutions, and iterating through testing and refinement. My UX process embraces these principles while incorporating additional ingredients to navigate and shape positive outcomes in the dynamic world of product design.

Example of my Miro board

  • Collaboration: The Cornerstone of Success

    I wholeheartedly believe that collaboration is the driving force behind effective UX design. A shared understanding of the project's overarching goals and open communication between team members, stakeholders, developers, and other designers are essential for aligning UX visions with project objectives. I actively foster a collaborative environment, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and contributing their unique perspectives.

  • Adaptability: Embracing the Iterative Journey

    My UX process is not a rigid, linear path; it's an iterative dance with the evolving needs of each project. I approach each project with a mindset of adaptability, recognizing that the path to success may not always be straightforward. I embrace the inevitable twists and turns, utilizing user feedback and testing to continuously refine my designs. This iterative approach allows me to identify and address usability issues early on, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring a positive user experience.

  • Navigating the Maze of Data

    User research, both quantitative and qualitative, plays a pivotal role in my UX process. I gather insights and real data on users' needs, behaviors, and aspirations, seeking to understand the "why" behind their actions. I collaborate with data analysts to complement qualitative findings with quantitative, measurable data. This deep understanding of user behavior informs my design decisions, ensuring that the final product not only meets or exceeds business goals but also seamlessly integrates into users' lives.

  • Understanding the Bigger Picture: Context is Key

    I recognize that no feature or improvement exists in isolation. To create holistic and impactful designs, I strive to understand the broader context of the product landscape. This includes understanding the product's overall strategy, marketing funnels, competition, and how each feature fits into the overall user journey. This broader understanding ensures that my designs align with the product's overall vision and contribute to its success.

In my experience, a successful UX process is not just about following a specific set of steps; it's about embracing a philosophy that combines deep user insights, collaborative teamwork, and adaptability to the ever-changing needs of each project. This approach empowers me to create products that are not only visually appealing but also genuinely useful and valuable to users, ultimately driving business success.

 

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

Strategy-related skillset:

  • Product & competition understanding (Competitive analysis, Content audit, Heuristic evaluations)

  • User & customer understanding (Analytics reviews, Surveys, User interviews, Personas, CJM)

  • Product strategy and vision development

  • Design Thinking and Agile Methodology

  • Commercial acumen: Ability to translate UX insights into tangible business value and connect design outcomes to measurable business goals

Execution-related skills:

  • Problem identification, understanding, and framing, opportunity identification, and prioritization

  • Qualitative & quantitative UX research for generative and evaluative cases, AB testing, user interviews, surveys

  • Data and insights analysis: Skilled in extracting actionable insights from research data to inform design decisions and prioritize product features

  • User Interface (UI) Design, Interaction Design and Information Architecture

  • Web and mobile design

  • User flows, wireframes, and prototypes

  • UX writing, branding, visual design, and visual communication

  • Graphic Design <check out my graphic designer portfolio>

  • Visual Art <check out my artist portfolio>

Soft/Behavioural Skillset:

  • Curiosity & Creativity

  • Analytical Thinking & Agility

  • Great Communication & Presentation Skills

  • Feedback Delivery

  • Self-Driven

  • Training & Mentoring

  • Leadership

  • Strategic Thinking

 

TECHNOLOGY STACK

  • Figma

  • Sketch App

  • Adobe (XD, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, PremierePro)

  • UserZoom

  • CMS website design ( Squarespace, WordPress, Wix )

  • Abstract

  • Survicate

  • Tableau

  • Hotjar

  • Miro

  • Jira

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

Some Testimonials

  • “Anna is not just a designer – she’s a storyteller, mentor, and a sprinkle of sunshine in the workplace. Her designs speak volumes about her deep understanding of user needs and her ability to transform those needs into beautiful, functional solutions...

    Working alongside Anna, I’ve soaked up so much knowledge and skill, especially in navigating the intricate world of product design. She doesn’t just guide, she empowers, making every learning journey under her wing a confident stride forward...

    In the hustle of project timelines and design challenges, Anna stands out with her calm demeanor, always steering the ship smoothly even through the stormiest times. Her way of handling tough situations helps the whole team stay focused and happy. She faces problems without hesitation, always finding smart solutions and making sure we’re all on the right track.”

    — JULIA SZ.-PRODUCT DESIGNER

  • “I have had the privilege of working closely with Anna Niwa-Bargieł during her tenure as a Senior CX Product Designer at Brainly. Anna’s impact on the organization was profound, particularly in her leadership of the Tutoring feature visibility strategy. Through her strategic vision and user-centric approach, Anna achieved a remarkable 30% increase in trial conversions.

    Anna’s ability to conduct insightful user research, collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams, and implement targeted strategies showcases her exceptional leadership skills. Beyond her design expertise, Anna has been an inspiring mentor, guiding junior and experienced product designers to success. Her dedication to helping mentees develop their skills and achieve their professional goals is truly commendable.

    In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Anna Niwa-Bargieł for her outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to mentorship. Her contributions to Brainly underscore her as a valuable asset to any product-led organization.”

    — MARYNA S. - PRODUCT MANAGER

  • “I have had the pleasure of working on a few research projects with Ania this last year and what has stood out to me the most is her drive for collaboration, high work ethic, and ability to always bring fresh ideas to the table. In addition to her strong technical skills, I have always appreciated her positive energy and talent for being inclusive and empathetic.

    Ania and I directly worked together for one long-term project in particular that required much planning. She was a part of every step, bringing her knowledge and skills to ensure its success and managing it transparently, smoothly, and valuably. She would gracefully challenge things she saw that could be improved, always wanting the best.

    It has been a real pleasure getting to work with Ania and I could not recommend her enough. She will be an asset on any team she joins. Thanks Ania for the good times! :)”

    — LALLIE M. - UX RESEARCHER

  • “Anna is one of the most creative people I have ever worked with. She has a great sense of aesthetics and is very detail-oriented.

    During our time working together, I was constantly impressed by her design skills. She has a great eye for detail and is always able to come up with creative solutions to problems. She was also always willing to take on new challenges and was always exploring new design trends. But what really sets her apart from other designers is her focus on the user. She always puts a lot of effort into user research and is always looking for ways to improve the user experience. This combination of skills makes her an invaluable asset to any team.

    I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a top-notch product designer.”

    — KRZYSZTOF D.- DATA SCIENTIST