About me

informed by data and shaped by curiosity, my work bridges UX, learning experience design, and entrepreneurial thinking.

informed by data and shaped by curiosity, my work bridges UX, learning experience design, and entrepreneurial thinking.

graduating in May 2025 and open for new opportunities ✌️

I’m currently a Learning Design Associate at CNDLS and a master’s student in Learning, Design, and Technology at Georgetown University.


My experience spans UX research, instructional design, and entrepreneurship, including co-founding a coding school for kids and leading cross-functional design projects in both corporate and startup settings.

Whether I’m designing a product, a learning journey, or a research study, I focus on clarity, impact, and user empowerment. I love working in collaborative environments, drawing from methods like design thinking, backward design, UDL, and agile product development.


When I’m not designing or studying, you’ll likely find me behind a camera lens, doodling in my sketchbook, baking something (ambitiously), or hiking my way through a quiet trail. I enjoy being outdoors - it’s where I reflect, get inspired, and recharge. Traveling is another passion of mine - camera in hand, exploring new cities one snapshot at a time.

I’m currently a Learning Design Associate at CNDLS and a master’s student in Learning, Design, and Technology at Georgetown University.My experience spans UX research, instructional design, and entrepreneurship, including co-founding a coding school for kids and leading cross-functional design projects in both corporate and startup settings.Whether I’m designing a product, a learning journey, or a research study, I focus on clarity, impact, and user empowerment. I love working in collaborative environments, drawing from methods like design thinking, backward design, UDL, and agile product development.When I’m not designing or studying, you’ll likely find me behind a camera lens, doodling in my sketchbook, baking something (ambitiously), or hiking my way through a quiet trail. I enjoy being outdoors - it’s where I reflect, get inspired, and recharge. Traveling is another passion of mine - camera in hand, exploring new cities one snapshot at a time.

Pssst…You can drag the photographs

Pssst…You can drag the photographs

i connect the dots across four disciplines

Design

crafting thoughtful, user-centered interfaces and experiences

Figma

Adobe Creative Suite

Design Systems & UI kits

Miro & Visual Mapping

Accessibility & WCAG guidelines

Rapid prototyping (lo-fi to hi-fi)

Heuristic Evaluation & UX writing

Research

uncovering insights through human-centered methods

User Interviews & Diary Studies

Mixed-Methods Research

Statistical & Behavioral Data

Usability Testing & A/B Testing

Python; SPSS; R

Data Visualization

Qualtrics & Survey Design

Learning

designing content and environments that support how people actually learn

Learning Theories (Adult Learning, Constructivism, K-12)

ADDIE, SAM, Backward Design

Bloom's Taxonomy

UDL & Inclusive Design

Articulate 360, Storyline

Quality Matters Standards & Accessibility in Learning

Product & Strategy

translating ideas into impact through clear systems and purposeful design

Agile, Scrum & Lean UX

Product Thinking & MVP Design

Strategic Roadmapping & Prioritization

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Process Optimization & Workflow Mapping

work experience

august 2023 · Present

Learning Design Associate

CNDLS at Georgetown University

I collaborate with SMEs and faculty to design interactive courses that are engaging, accessible, and research-driven.

february 2023 · august 2023

UX Researcher

wedevX

By listening to users and refining the platform, I spearheaded the launch of a DevOps bootcamp and enhanced learning experiences - boosting user satisfaction by 40%.

september 2021 · february 2023

UX Designer

EPAM Systems

Through UX research and usability testing, I led design improvements for banking app and e-commerce platform, making them more intuitive and user-friendly.

june 2018 · august 2021

Co-founder

UniCode School

Building a coding school from the ground up taught me how great learning experiences drive engagement - I designed and scaled our approach, growing to 300+ students in less than a year.

education

August 2023 - May 2025

MA in Learning, Design, and Technology

Georgetown University

Engaging in research and hands-on practice to design impactful learning experiences, while collaborating with inspiring faculty and peers.

September 2014 - May 2018

BA in Psychology and Linguistics

J. Balasagyn University

Built a strong foundation in cognitive science and language, fueling my passion for user-centered learning and design.

some of the courses i took at GU and online

2025
2025
Adaptive Measurements with AI

Georgetown University

Adaptive Measurements with AI

Georgetown University

Adaptive Measurements with AI

Georgetown University

UX Research

Google, online

UX Research

Google, online

UX Research

Google, online

Data Visualization with Python

IBM, online on Coursera

Data Visualization with Python

IBM, online on Coursera

Data Visualization with Python

IBM, online on Coursera

R programming

Harvard University, online

R programming

Harvard University, online

R programming

Harvard University, online

2024
2024
Data Science

Georgetown University

Data Science

Georgetown University

Data Science

Georgetown University

Educational Research Methods

Georgetown University

Educational Research Methods

Georgetown University

Educational Research Methods

Georgetown University

Critical Speculative Design for Anti-Racism

Georgetown University

Critical Speculative Design for Anti-Racism

Georgetown University

Critical Speculative Design for Anti-Racism

Georgetown University

Learning Analytics

Georgetown University

Learning Analytics

Georgetown University

Learning Analytics

Georgetown University

eLearning Development

Georgetown University

eLearning Development

Georgetown University

eLearning Development

Georgetown University

Gaming, Design, and Education

Georgetown University

Gaming, Design, and Education

Georgetown University

Gaming, Design, and Education

Georgetown University

2023
2023
Methods of Learning and Design

Georgetown University

Methods of Learning and Design

Georgetown University

Methods of Learning and Design

Georgetown University

Technology Innovation

Georgetown University

Technology Innovation

Georgetown University

Technology Innovation

Georgetown University

University as a Design Problem

Georgetown University

University as a Design Problem

Georgetown University

University as a Design Problem

Georgetown University

UX Design Bootcamp

Memorisely

UX Design Bootcamp

Memorisely

UX Design Bootcamp

Memorisely

Project Management

University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education

Project Management

University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education

Project Management

University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education

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

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