Top Talent like Michelle are on Pangea
Pangea, a YC company, connects companies with fractional talent. Fractional hiring allows companies to move faster and work with more specilaized talent, while giving talent more flexibilty and independence. If you are talent open to fractional work, apply here. If you’re a company looking for high-quality fractional talent, learn more here.
Michelle Harp
UX/UI Designer | User Experience Specialist
I’m a designer fueled by creativity and a love for solving complex problems with simple, intuitive solutions. My work brings ideas to life, creating user experiences that not only function but inspire.
From launching a fintech app to overhauling SaaS navigation for nonprofits, my design journey has been all about impact. Now, at a leading design agency, I continue crafting experiences that make a difference.
Projects
Financial Wellness App for Empowering Users with Accessible Tool
OVERVIEW As the designer for a fintech startup aimed at helping individuals and families with low socioeconomic status understand money better, I proposed and implemented a solution that was focused around making and achieving financial wellness easy and accessible. The user-centric approach, from onboarding to gamified goal-setting adventures, resulted in a remarkable 3% increase in user adoption rates. This collaborative effort earned our app 5-star ratings on both Apple Store and Google Play. Outside the app, developing a design system not only improved team communication but also increased design efficiency by 10%. This project isn't just about cool designs; it's proof that design can make a big difference in helping everyone make positive changes in their relationship with money. THE CHALLENGE Design a product that could shake up how we approach financial planning and empowerment. The onboarding process emerged as our biggest challenge. We aimed to create an environment of immediate trust, where users felt comfortable sharing sensitive information and allowing us to guide them towards financial freedom. THE SOLUTION I conceived a product that tailored to our target audience. Rooted in comprehensive user research, our onboarding process was intentionally crafted to include lifestyle questions. We threw in this personal touch to create custom financial plans, recognizing that everyone's situation is unique and has a diverse set of circumstances. See MoreEnhanced Filter System & Globalized Search Function
OVERVIEW For a two week sprint, my focus was to enhance the usability of the freelancer and client dashboard. By updating filter designs, introducing advanced and custom filters and updating navigation hierarchy I was able to achieve a more intuitive and seamless experience. The updated advanced filters allow for more specific and tailored search results, making it easier for users to find exactly what they are looking for. CHALLENGE Reimagine the dashboard to provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, focusing specifically on improving the advanced filter system, which users found overly complex and difficult to navigate. The existing filter structure, referred to as "segments," lacked clarity and created friction in the workflow. Users struggled to locate and apply the filters they needed, leading to inefficiencies and frustration. The challenge required rethinking the entire filtering experience to eliminate confusion, reduce cognitive load, and create a seamless interaction that catered to diverse user needs. SOLUTION I incorporated predictive search into the global navigation, replacing the individual search bars across the site’s sections. Additionally, I added a dedicated search-to-filter feature to streamline the user experience, addressing a key pain point identified in the filter section, previously labeled as ‘segments.’ Based on user research and feedback, I also introduced the option to create custom filters, enhancing usability and establishing a clear visual hierarchy for better navigation. THE RESULT Despite the project being halted due to funding issues, the designs we created were something to be proud of. The updated filter designs and dashboard enhancements aimed to simplify these processes, making it easier for users to manage their tasks effectively.See MoreComprehensive Brand Identity, UX Design, and Webflow Build
OVERVIEW In this project, I created a complete brand identity, UX design, and developed a fully responsive website in Webflow. The goal was to deliver a cohesive and user-friendly experience that aligned with the client's values, showcased their unique offerings, and provided a seamless digital experience for their audience. KEY DELIVERABLES Brand Identity: Developed a visual identity including logo design, typography, color palette, and brand guidelines to reflect the brand’s personality and vision. UX Design: Conducted user research and created user personas, wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to ensure a highly functional and intuitive design. Webflow Development: Built a fully responsive, SEO-optimized website in Webflow, ensuring smooth animations, interactive elements, and easy content management for the client. RESULTS - Successfully launched a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website. - Increased user engagement and client satisfaction by delivering a cohesive digital presence that aligned with their goals. - The brand identity and website helped the client attract their target audience and improve brand recognition. TESTIMONAL "Working with Michelle was refreshing. She listened intently & created intentionally. She got things done quickly, and always presented quality design solutions that aligned with my vision. I appreciated not only her creative talents, but her responsive & positive communication style, which made me feel at ease throughout the process. I highly recommend working with Michelle - she is a world-class creative collaborator!" Ruby Veridiano - Founder, Gold Thread Communications See MoreWork History
M
Multimedia Designer
MadeByMichCreated components and design systems for multi-platform use based on clients’ and user needs. Translated user research and product requirements into design deliverables. Communicated with stakeholders to define end-to-end experiences, iteration models, and screen designs. Spearheaded user research and translated data into UI components and design systems.U
Senior Product Designer
UncommonGoodAug 2023 - Jul 2024 • 1 yrIncreased user adoption rates by 30% by strategically implementing intuitive dashboards, leading to a 15% increase in overall user satisfaction and loyalty. Implemented design principles to facilitate collaborative workshops with cross-functional teams, guiding the user research process and iterating on app designs, leading to a 20% increase in user engagement and retention metrics. Executed user testing and feedback sessions to iterate on design improvements, ultimately achieving a 95% positive rating from users on the overall usability of the product.B
Founding UX/UI Designer
BrightUpAug 2022 - Aug 2023 • 1 yr 1 moDesigned and developed a web app for iOS and from start to finish (research, design, test, implement) on a team of three designers. Developed various UI components to deliver an intuitive user experience resulting in an increase in user adoption rate. Executed usability tests, qualitative/quantitative user research, interviews, journey mapping, and prototypes while collaborating with product and engineer teams. Contributed to creating, organizing, and distributing a product design system.S
UX/UI Designer
SiteCareFeb 2021 - Jul 2021 • 6 mosFacilitated the client’s product vision by researching, conceiving, sketching, prototyping and user-testing experiences for digital products. Identified design problems and devised elegant solutions. Decreased user abandonment on homepages as well as increased membership subscriptions. Conceptualized and created assets like landing pages, interactive components, blog posts, and product pages.Education
M
Memorisely
Design Systems, UX/UI Design2022D
Designlab
UX/UI Design2019C
Cornell University
Certificate, Plant-Based Nutrition2016A
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
2015U
University of Colorado Boulder
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Communication, General2011 - 2013C
Colorado Mountain College
Associate of Arts - AA2008 - 2011How Pangea Works
Effortlessly discover top talent
We’ve distilled the candidate search from endless hours down to just a few minutes. Using Pangea’s AI-powered search tools, you can find top fractional talent able to take on your next project. Our system looks at your company’s niche and your needs to find the perfect match faster than any traditional hiring platform.Start working with talent today
The top talent on Pangea is ready to get started with you right now. You can message or hire a candidate right from their profile page and start assigning work as soon as they respond. And the best part? Pangea’s fractional contract structure lets you start small and ramp up as your needs change, keeping your costs manageable and your team’s capabliities flexible.Track work and invoices in one place
Assign tasks, track progress, and complete invoices all on Pangea. We’ve combined every part of the hiring process into one platform to eliminate the miscommunication that’s unavoidable on other freelance platforms. We even send out 1099s to your contractors at the end of the year!Talk with a Talent Expert
Members of our team are available to help you speed through the hiring process.
Available NowBook a Call
UX/UI Designer | User Experience Specialist
I’m a designer fueled by creativity and a love for solving complex problems with simple, intuitive solutions. My work brings ideas to life, creating user experiences that not only function but inspire.
From launching a fintech app to overhauling SaaS navigation for nonprofits, my design journey has been all about impact. Now, at a leading design agency, I continue crafting experiences that make a difference.
Talk with a Talent Expert
Members of our team are available to help you speed through the hiring process.Available NowBook a Call
Top Talent like Michelle are on Pangea
Pangea, a YC company, connects companies with fractional talent. Fractional hiring allows companies to move faster and work with more specilaized talent, while giving talent more flexibilty and independence. If you are talent open to fractional work, apply here. If you’re a company looking for high-quality fractional talent, learn more here.Michelle Harp
Projects
Financial Wellness App for Empowering Users with Accessible Tool
OVERVIEW As the designer for a fintech startup aimed at helping individuals and families with low socioeconomic status understand money better, I proposed and implemented a solution that was focused around making and achieving financial wellness easy and accessible. The user-centric approach, from onboarding to gamified goal-setting adventures, resulted in a remarkable 3% increase in user adoption rates. This collaborative effort earned our app 5-star ratings on both Apple Store and Google Play. Outside the app, developing a design system not only improved team communication but also increased design efficiency by 10%. This project isn't just about cool designs; it's proof that design can make a big difference in helping everyone make positive changes in their relationship with money. THE CHALLENGE Design a product that could shake up how we approach financial planning and empowerment. The onboarding process emerged as our biggest challenge. We aimed to create an environment of immediate trust, where users felt comfortable sharing sensitive information and allowing us to guide them towards financial freedom. THE SOLUTION I conceived a product that tailored to our target audience. Rooted in comprehensive user research, our onboarding process was intentionally crafted to include lifestyle questions. We threw in this personal touch to create custom financial plans, recognizing that everyone's situation is unique and has a diverse set of circumstances.Enhanced Filter System & Globalized Search Function
OVERVIEW For a two week sprint, my focus was to enhance the usability of the freelancer and client dashboard. By updating filter designs, introducing advanced and custom filters and updating navigation hierarchy I was able to achieve a more intuitive and seamless experience. The updated advanced filters allow for more specific and tailored search results, making it easier for users to find exactly what they are looking for. CHALLENGE Reimagine the dashboard to provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, focusing specifically on improving the advanced filter system, which users found overly complex and difficult to navigate. The existing filter structure, referred to as "segments," lacked clarity and created friction in the workflow. Users struggled to locate and apply the filters they needed, leading to inefficiencies and frustration. The challenge required rethinking the entire filtering experience to eliminate confusion, reduce cognitive load, and create a seamless interaction that catered to diverse user needs. SOLUTION I incorporated predictive search into the global navigation, replacing the individual search bars across the site’s sections. Additionally, I added a dedicated search-to-filter feature to streamline the user experience, addressing a key pain point identified in the filter section, previously labeled as ‘segments.’ Based on user research and feedback, I also introduced the option to create custom filters, enhancing usability and establishing a clear visual hierarchy for better navigation. THE RESULT Despite the project being halted due to funding issues, the designs we created were something to be proud of. The updated filter designs and dashboard enhancements aimed to simplify these processes, making it easier for users to manage their tasks effectively.Comprehensive Brand Identity, UX Design, and Webflow Build
OVERVIEW In this project, I created a complete brand identity, UX design, and developed a fully responsive website in Webflow. The goal was to deliver a cohesive and user-friendly experience that aligned with the client's values, showcased their unique offerings, and provided a seamless digital experience for their audience. KEY DELIVERABLES Brand Identity: Developed a visual identity including logo design, typography, color palette, and brand guidelines to reflect the brand’s personality and vision. UX Design: Conducted user research and created user personas, wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to ensure a highly functional and intuitive design. Webflow Development: Built a fully responsive, SEO-optimized website in Webflow, ensuring smooth animations, interactive elements, and easy content management for the client. RESULTS - Successfully launched a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website. - Increased user engagement and client satisfaction by delivering a cohesive digital presence that aligned with their goals. - The brand identity and website helped the client attract their target audience and improve brand recognition. TESTIMONAL "Working with Michelle was refreshing. She listened intently & created intentionally. She got things done quickly, and always presented quality design solutions that aligned with my vision. I appreciated not only her creative talents, but her responsive & positive communication style, which made me feel at ease throughout the process. I highly recommend working with Michelle - she is a world-class creative collaborator!" Ruby Veridiano - Founder, Gold Thread CommunicationsWork History
M
Multimedia Designer
MadeByMichCreated components and design systems for multi-platform use based on clients’ and user needs. Translated user research and product requirements into design deliverables. Communicated with stakeholders to define end-to-end experiences, iteration models, and screen designs. Spearheaded user research and translated data into UI components and design systems.U
Senior Product Designer
UncommonGoodAug 2023 - Jul 2024 • 1 yrIncreased user adoption rates by 30% by strategically implementing intuitive dashboards, leading to a 15% increase in overall user satisfaction and loyalty. Implemented design principles to facilitate collaborative workshops with cross-functional teams, guiding the user research process and iterating on app designs, leading to a 20% increase in user engagement and retention metrics. Executed user testing and feedback sessions to iterate on design improvements, ultimately achieving a 95% positive rating from users on the overall usability of the product.B
Founding UX/UI Designer
BrightUpAug 2022 - Aug 2023 • 1 yr 1 moDesigned and developed a web app for iOS and from start to finish (research, design, test, implement) on a team of three designers. Developed various UI components to deliver an intuitive user experience resulting in an increase in user adoption rate. Executed usability tests, qualitative/quantitative user research, interviews, journey mapping, and prototypes while collaborating with product and engineer teams. Contributed to creating, organizing, and distributing a product design system.S
UX/UI Designer
SiteCareFeb 2021 - Jul 2021 • 6 mosFacilitated the client’s product vision by researching, conceiving, sketching, prototyping and user-testing experiences for digital products. Identified design problems and devised elegant solutions. Decreased user abandonment on homepages as well as increased membership subscriptions. Conceptualized and created assets like landing pages, interactive components, blog posts, and product pages.Education
M
Memorisely
Design Systems, UX/UI Design2022D
Designlab
UX/UI Design2019C
Cornell University
Certificate, Plant-Based Nutrition2016A
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
2015U
University of Colorado Boulder
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Communication, General2011 - 2013C
Colorado Mountain College
Associate of Arts - AA2008 - 2011How Pangea Works
Effortlessly discover top talent
We’ve distilled the candidate search from endless hours down to just a few minutes. Using Pangea’s AI-powered search tools, you can find top fractional talent able to take on your next project. Our system looks at your company’s niche and your needs to find the perfect match faster than any traditional hiring platform.Start working with talent today
The top talent on Pangea is ready to get started with you right now. You can message or hire a candidate right from their profile page and start assigning work as soon as they respond. And the best part? Pangea’s fractional contract structure lets you start small and ramp up as your needs change, keeping your costs manageable and your team’s capabliities flexible.Track work and invoices in one place
Assign tasks, track progress, and complete invoices all on Pangea. We’ve combined every part of the hiring process into one platform to eliminate the miscommunication that’s unavoidable on other freelance platforms. We even send out 1099s to your contractors at the end of the year!Talk with a Talent Expert
Members of our team are available to help you speed through the hiring process.Available NowBook a Call
Pangea empowers fractional work across the world for marketing and design roles.