A STUDENT OF LIFE,
AN EMPATHIC DESIGNER AND A STORYTELLER

My roots lie in Poland, but my experiences have taken me on a global journey, weaving a tapestry of Eastern and Western influences. From Poland and Scotland to Portugal, Turkey, the USA, and now Spain, I have immersed myself in diverse cultures, shaping my understanding of the world and human behavior, and the 'why' behind it. I love learning and uncovering mysteries behind complex issues through research-informed empathy and collaborative magic.

Amidst my intellectual pursuits, I find solace in the simple joys of life - doodling, exploring art, cherishing moments with family, and discovering new places. I am a creative soul and invite you to explore my art portfolio.

In essence, I am a student of life, a lifelong learner, and an advocate for empathy and understanding. I am a connector of dots, and a cross-pollinator of ideas, an artist at heart, and a storyteller. I am passionate about making a positive impact on the world, one empathetic connection and creative spark at a time.

A Blend of Adaptability, Collaboration,
and Data-Driven Insights

For me, design is about solving problems, communicating an objective, and helping people.

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,

  • iterating through testing and refinement.

MY DESIGN PROCESS

Example of my worhshop Miro board

Here are a few additional ingredients I like to add to navigate, balance, and make a positive impact in the messy world of Product Design:

  • I believe that everything we can imagine is possible when friendly faces surround us. Supporting each other while navigating any projects and having fun when we work bring out the best in us.

  • 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 positive collaborative environment, ensuring everyone is on the same page and contributing their unique perspectives.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

ABOUT WORKING WITH ME

  • “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

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

Strategic Expertise

  • Product & competition and user & customer understanding

  • 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 Expertise

  • 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

Soft Skills and Behavioral Qualities

  • Curiosity, creativity, and a passion for problem-solving, allowing for innovative design solutions

  • Analytical, critical, and strategic thinking and agility: Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, and adapt to changing requirements in a fast-paced environment

  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills

  • Feedback delivery and conflict resolution

  • Self-driven, results-oriented, and proactive 

  • Mentoring and leadership

MY TOOLBOX

• Figma • Sketch App • Abstract • UserZoom • Hotjar • Survicate • Tableau • Optimal Workshop • Google Analytics• Miro • Adobe Creative Cloud • CMS website design ( Squarespace, WordPress, Wix )