Elijah Vakni
UX/UI + PRODUCT DESIGNER
UX/UI + PRODUCT DESIGNER
Clear, accessible digital experiences
Clear, accessible digital experiences
I’m Eli, a UX/UI designer based in Santa Cruz and a Senior Design Associate at BizzNEST.
I’m Eli, a UX/UI designer based in Santa Cruz and a Senior Design Associate at BizzNEST.
01 / SELECTED WORK
01 / SELECTED WORK
Selected Work
Selected Work
A construction-information prototype, a civic-tech homepage redesign, and a client resource website.
A construction-information prototype, a civic-tech homepage redesign, and a client resource website.
UX/UI design · Interactive prototype
UX/UI design · Interactive prototype
ConstructED
ConstructED
An interactive prototype that brings nearby construction projects, maps, project details, and equipment learning into one mobile experience.
An interactive prototype that brings nearby construction projects, maps, project details, and equipment learning into one mobile experience.
I designed a more approachable product experience that organizes construction projects, locations, equipment, and educational information around the needs of the people using it.
I designed a more approachable product experience that organizes construction projects, locations, equipment, and educational information around the needs of the people using it.
View Case Study ↗
View Case Study ↗
UX/UI design · Homepage redesign assessment
UX/UI design · Homepage redesign assessment
Open Source San Jose
Open Source San Jose
The existing website had a cluttered interface that made it difficult for visitors to understand the organization's mission and find relevant resources.
The existing website had a cluttered interface that made it difficult for visitors to understand the organization’s mission and find relevant resources.
A homepage redesign assessment focused on clearer hierarchy, consistent sections, and visible ways to get involved.
A homepage redesign assessment focused on clearer hierarchy, consistent sections, and visible ways to get involved.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
View Case Study ↗
View Case Study ↗
UX/UI design · Client website redesign
UX/UI design · Client website redesign
SPIN
SPIN
A Squarespace website redesign for Special Parents Information Network, with clearer resource categories, navigation, and responsive layouts.
A Squarespace website redesign for Special Parents Information Network, with clearer resource categories, navigation, and responsive layouts.
View Case Study ↗
View Case Study ↗
02 / APPROACH
02 / APPROACH
How I Design
How I Design
Problem-first. Accessible by default. Visually intentional.
Problem-first. Accessible by default. Visually intentional.
I approach product design by understanding the problem, organizing complexity, and creating accessible interfaces that help people move through information with confidence.
I approach product design by understanding the problem, organizing complexity, and creating accessible interfaces that help people move through information with confidence.
01
SOLVE THE PROBLEM
Start with user needs and project constraints before deciding what the interface should look like.
01
SOLVE THE PROBLEM
Start with user needs and project constraints before deciding what the interface should look like.
02
MAKE IT UNDERSTANDABLE
Use information architecture, hierarchy, and interaction design to reduce cognitive load and make complex information easier to navigate.
02
MAKE IT UNDERSTANDABLE
Use information architecture, hierarchy, and interaction design to reduce cognitive load and make complex information easier to navigate.
03
DESIGN FOR MORE PEOPLE
Consider accessibility through typography, contrast, navigation, content, interaction, and responsive behavior.
03
DESIGN FOR MORE PEOPLE
Consider accessibility through typography, contrast, navigation, content, interaction, and responsive behavior.
03 / ABOUT
03 / ABOUT
A Little About Me
A Little About Me
I’m a UX/UI designer based in Santa Cruz and a Senior Design Associate at BizzNEST. I’m studying graphic design at Cabrillo College and focus on clear navigation, accessible interfaces, and thoughtful visual design.
I’m a UX/UI designer based in Santa Cruz and a Senior Design Associate at BizzNEST. I’m studying graphic design at Cabrillo College and focus on clear navigation, accessible interfaces, and thoughtful visual design.
Let's make something clearer.
Let’s make something clearer.
Interested in working together or talking about design?
Interested in working together or talking about design?
Elijah Vakni
Elijah Vakni
UX/UI + Product Design
UX/UI + Product Design