Good design makes complexity disappear. I design products with multiple user types, intricate rules, and evolving requirements — then turn that complexity into interfaces that feel clear, useful, and easy to navigate.
Map the System
I look at workflows, business rules, data, and edge cases before jumping to screens.
Design for Scale
I build foundations that can absorb change as products, teams, and requirements evolve.
Craft for Clarity
Hierarchy, interaction states, microcopy, and visual rhythm all help people move with confidence.
Skills
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Design Systems
Prototyping
Product Strategy
Systems Thinking
Design Systems
0-1 Product Development
Product Growth
User Research
Complex Workflow Design
Accessibility
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Presentation
Public Speaking
Tools
Pencil and Paper
Figma
Adobe Creative Suite
Jira
Confluence
HTML/CSS/React
Sketch
Canva
Framer
Gemini
Claude Code
Cursor
Figma Make
Amplitude
Google Analytics
Sketch
I use AI tools throughout my design process, mainly for generating rough directions, rapid prototyping, and microcopy. It lets me explore more ideas before committing to one, build more realistic prototypes for stakeholder alignment, and spend more of my time on problem-solving instead of production-heavy tasks.
Personal Projects
Ariella's Records
Undercurrent
Great products don’t come from one perspective. I bring collaborators in early, listen closely, and use that friction to make better decisions. Here’s how some of the people I’ve worked with describe that process.
Aish G.
Product Manager, TKO
Ari is an outstanding product designer who brings both creativity and strategic thinking to the table. She has an incredible eye for detail, strong accountability, and a thoughtful approach to solving complex problems. She considers challenges from multiple angles and consistently delivers high-quality work. Working with her is always a pleasure!
He-Huai H.
UX Researcher, TKO
I've had the pleasure of working with Ariella across several projects and one thing has remained constant: her commitment to letting user research drive the design process.
What sets Ariella apart is that she never jumps straight to solutions. She invests time in usability testing sessions and takes the time to truly understand the user, their context, and their pain points before a single frame is sketched. This discipline consistently shows in the quality of her final designs.
Beyond her craft, Ariella is a thoughtful collaborator who elevates the work of everyone around her. I'd highly recommend her to any team that values design rooted in empathy and evidence.
Iryna S.
Senior Business Analyst, TKO
I worked with Ariella on a new product experience where clear communication and quick alignment were really important. What I appreciated most was how easy she made the process: she responded quickly, understood the context without unnecessary back-and-forth, and always came back with thoughtful design solutions.
She was also very proactive about keeping the designs complete and up to date, including all related screens and states, which made it much easier for the team to move forward confidently. Her decisions never felt superficial, she clearly thought through the full user flow, edge cases, and how each change would affect the overall experience.
She is someone I would genuinely want to collaborate with again and again: reliable, detail-oriented, thoughtful, and very easy to work with.
Amy K.
Product Design Manager, TKO
Ariella is exactly the kind of designer you want on your team. She is a critical thinker who doesn’t just push pixels, but helps shape product strategy. Ari dives into the "why" behind what we're building, asking the right questions across stakeholders until business goals align with user needs and pain points. She is skilled at taking complex requirements and turning them into clean, intuitive experiences.
As a manager, Ari makes my life easy. She is reliable, self-sufficient, collaborative, takes ownership of her work, and is constantly leveling up her skills. She also has a positive attitude that lifts team morale. All in all, she’s an incredible teammate—the kind of colleague you genuinely like and want to work with.
I’m Ariella — I turn complex systems into experiences people actually understand. I’m currently designing Olympic hospitality platforms at TKO. Outside of work, I’m into dancing, improv, great restaurants, and language learning in English, Spanish, and Korean.
Talks
How to Articulate Design Decisions and Get Buy-In
What COVID-19 Taught Me About Online Education
Keys to Creating the Best Online Experiences for Faculty and Students
Writing
What Students Want: Feedback
We Brought H5P to BbWorld 2019
Games
Venezuela: A Social Impact Game
Finish It!
Contact
ariellastrs@gmail.com
NYC Area
