Lights on·off

50

50

100

100

150

150

200

200

300

300

400

400

500

500

600

600

650

650

700

700

750

750

800

800

850

850

900

900

hi, i'm akmaral

interdisciplinary design + research + product development

With experience in UX, learning design, and entrepreneurship, I bring a curious, collaborative, and systems-minded approach to creating meaningful experiences.

Washington, DC

10:56:04 PM

my first focaccia bread!

my first focaccia bread!

my first focaccia bread!

DC in bloom:)

DC in bloom:)

DC in bloom:)

nature, coffee, and chats..

nature, coffee, and chats..

nature, coffee, and chats..

made of snow and giggles

made of snow and giggles

made of snow and giggles

Slices of everyday magic (drag&read)

work

A selection of recent projects.

rethingking grading

What if grades stopped being a measure of worth and became a tool for growth?

research

design thinking

class project

wedevX

What if engagement wasn’t just a metric, but a meaningful connection between users and learning?

UX

User Interviews

Design

Research

rooted across borders

What if belonging wasn’t something students had to find, but something we built together?

research

storytelling

learning design

how i work

My design approach

What's my design process you ask? It depends I say! :)

I’m like a Swiss army knife when it comes to design - I choose the right tools based on the challenge at hand. Having worked in corporate, academia, and startups, I’ve learned that every context calls for a different approach. I stay flexible, grounded in core principles, and usually work across three phases: Understanding, Development, and Analysis.

What's my design process you ask? It depends I say! :)

I’m like a Swiss army knife when it comes to design - I choose the right tools based on the challenge at hand. Having worked in corporate, academia, and startups, I’ve learned that every context calls for a different approach. I stay flexible, grounded in core principles, and usually work across three phases: Understanding, Development, and Analysis.

What's my design process you ask? It depends I say! :)

I’m like a Swiss army knife when it comes to design - I choose the right tools based on the challenge at hand. Having worked in corporate, academia, and startups, I’ve learned that every context calls for a different approach. I stay flexible, grounded in core principles, and usually work across three phases: Understanding, Development, and Analysis.

Understanding

I start by listening, observing, and learning. I use design research to understand the problem space, uncover user needs, and align with stakeholders. This phase is about building a shared understanding and framing the challenge clearly — setting the foundation for effective design.

Understanding

I start by listening, observing, and learning. I use design research to understand the problem space, uncover user needs, and align with stakeholders. This phase is about building a shared understanding and framing the challenge clearly — setting the foundation for effective design.

Understanding

I start by listening, observing, and learning. I use design research to understand the problem space, uncover user needs, and align with stakeholders. This phase is about building a shared understanding and framing the challenge clearly — setting the foundation for effective design.

Development

Here’s where ideas take shape. I prototype and test solutions — whether that’s a user flow, an interface, or an interactive learning module — to quickly learn and adjust. I use visualization to map systems, communicate findings, and simplify complexity. I write to clarify ideas, explain design decisions, and tell compelling stories that support understanding and engagement.

Development

Here’s where ideas take shape. I prototype and test solutions — whether that’s a user flow, an interface, or an interactive learning module — to quickly learn and adjust. I use visualization to map systems, communicate findings, and simplify complexity. I write to clarify ideas, explain design decisions, and tell compelling stories that support understanding and engagement.

Development

Here’s where ideas take shape. I prototype and test solutions — whether that’s a user flow, an interface, or an interactive learning module — to quickly learn and adjust. I use visualization to map systems, communicate findings, and simplify complexity. I write to clarify ideas, explain design decisions, and tell compelling stories that support understanding and engagement.

Analysis

After launching or testing a solution, I analyze outcomes and look for opportunities to improve. I enjoy working alongside teams to evaluate success, make data-informed decisions, and bring projects to completion. My process is never static — I’m always learning and refining.

Analysis

After launching or testing a solution, I analyze outcomes and look for opportunities to improve. I enjoy working alongside teams to evaluate success, make data-informed decisions, and bring projects to completion. My process is never static — I’m always learning and refining.

Analysis

After launching or testing a solution, I analyze outcomes and look for opportunities to improve. I enjoy working alongside teams to evaluate success, make data-informed decisions, and bring projects to completion. My process is never static — I’m always learning and refining.

The best process is the one that adapts!

There’s no one-size-fits-all process - and that’s the beauty of design. I tailor my methods to each project’s goals, audience, and stage of development. Depending on the context, I draw from a variety of frameworks and approaches, including: Design Thinking, Agile, UCD, ADDIE, Backward Design, Double Diamond, UDL, 7Cs, Storyboarding

The best process is the one that adapts!

There’s no one-size-fits-all process - and that’s the beauty of design. I tailor my methods to each project’s goals, audience, and stage of development. Depending on the context, I draw from a variety of frameworks and approaches, including: Design Thinking, Agile, UCD, ADDIE, Backward Design, Double Diamond, UDL, 7Cs, Storyboarding

The best process is the one that adapts!

There’s no one-size-fits-all process - and that’s the beauty of design. I tailor my methods to each project’s goals, audience, and stage of development. Depending on the context, I draw from a variety of frameworks and approaches, including: Design Thinking, Agile, UCD, ADDIE, Backward Design, Double Diamond, UDL, 7Cs, Storyboarding

i design joyful, user-centered experiences

Akmaral
/ahk-mah-RAHL/


Designer. Researcher. Nature lover. Photo enthusiast. Baker in training. Empath. Philocalist. Always learning. Always hungry.



Akmaral/ahk-mah-RAHL/Designer. Researcher. Nature lover. Photo enthusiast. Baker in training. Empath. Philocalist. Always learning. Always hungry.

About me

cupcakes and picnics <3

cupcakes and picnics <3

sunny day and fav book <3

sunny day and fav book <3

Let's connect!

Whether it's my work, hiking trails, or baked goods - I'd love to chat:)

All rights reserved © 2025 akmaral.design

Let's connect!

Whether it's my work, hiking trails, or baked goods - I'd love to chat:)

All rights reserved © 2025 akmaral.design

Let's connect!

Whether it's my work, hiking trails, or baked goods - I'd love to chat:)

All rights reserved © 2025 akmaral.design