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Hi, I'm Alex

UX Designer & Content Strategist

Good questions lead to good stories. And good stories can change the world.

Recent Work

PurpleThrone

Video Streaming | Cryptocurrency | B2C

As part of a three-person design team, I tested and redesigned an alpha iOS app. The team improved the aesthetics while integrating several key features geared towards user engagement and app monetization.

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Etsy

E-Commerce | B2B | Mobile

Working in a team of four, I researched a feature to help Etsy sellers accommodate custom orders and then integrated that feature into Etsy’s mobile app.

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CleanBreak

Service Industry | B2B | Tablet

Given freedom to create a "passion project" that would solve an existing problem, my four-person design team identified an opportunity area within the bar space and created a design solution. Our team later pitched our design solution as a strategic partnership for OpenTable.

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Read Your Veggies

Media | Content Strategy | Product Scoping

Read Your Veggies is a responsive website that encourages users to have a more balanced media diet by showing them what news outlets on the “other side” of the political spectrum are publishing. The site shows liberals news articles from conservative publishers, and vice versa. I consulted with the software developers and assisted in the site’s homepage redesign.

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process

  • 1. Understand People + Problem Space

    The team immerses themselves in a domain to understand competitors, technical limitations, and team hypotheses and assumptions. We collect data on end-users.

  • 2. Define the Opportunity and the Plan

    Through data synthesis, we uncover actionable insights. With teammates and stakeholders, we define the opportunity area and share insights about the end-user. We make a time-bound plan for action and set KPIs.

  • 3. Create and Design Solutions

    We dive into design. Ideas and opportunities are transformed into something tangible. Internal teams iterate and improve upon designs before usability testing begins.

  • 4. Measure Success + Iterate Designs

    Thoroughly testing designs and prototypes with the appropriate users is essential. We analyze how successful the UX and UI are, and iterate accordingly.

  • 5. Deliver Solutions

    After validating designs, we increase fidelity and prepare for development.

  • Do It
    All Over
    Again!

expertise

Data-Driven

Google Analytics, market research and usability testing allow me to better understand users.

Skilled Writer

For 10 years, I worked as a journalist, editor and content strategist.

Engaging Presenter

I have moderated panels at national and local events.

Collaborative

I have worked alongside engineers, product owners, marketers and C-level executives.

Attention to Detail

Organization is the grease that keeps my wheels turning.

Quick Learner

I enjoy learning new things, and I can easily find my legs in a new domain.

My written work has appeared or been syndicated on the following:

About

Alex Orlov headshot View My Resume

Asking great questions is my superpower.

As a UX designer, I uncover actionable insights that inform smart design decisions. I specialize in scoping projects, investigating problems, researching opportunities, and coordinating cross-functional teams towards a unified objective. Collaborating with other people with different skill sets (and including them in the design process!) gives me energy.

I’m passionate about health tech, food supply chains and education. Working as a journalist covering fitness, nutrition and supply chain transparency initially sparked my interest in how technology in these sectors has the potential to shape and enhance our lives.

Currently: UX Design Instructional Team at General Assembly NYC.

Want to design something amazing together? Email me.

Likes: Puns, hot sauce, snail mail, dogspotting
Dislikes: Elevators, apathy