Product and Service Designer based in Helsinki, with 6+ years of experience designing digital products, service experiences, and user-friendly interfaces. I have worked on customer-facing platforms, internal tools, e-commerce systems, IoT-connected biomedical products, and public service projects. My experience includes user research, usability testing, workflow analysis, prototyping, and translating complex needs into clear design solutions. What makes me stand out is my ability to identify patterns across user needs and transform them into practical solutions that create value for both users and businesses. I am also highly responsible and organized, able to work independently while staying closely aligned with clients and teams. This has helped me build long-term trust with the companies I have worked with, both in in-house roles and freelance collaborations.

MARÍA DEL MAR VALBUENA

Product and Service Designer based in Helsinki, with 6+ years of experience designing digital products, service experiences, and user-friendly interfaces. I have worked on customer-facing platforms, internal tools, e-commerce systems, IoT-connected biomedical products, and public service projects. My experience includes user research, usability testing, workflow analysis, prototyping, and translating complex needs into clear design solutions. What makes me stand out is my ability to identify patterns across user needs and transform them into practical solutions that create value for both users and businesses. I am also highly responsible and organized, able to work independently while staying closely aligned with clients and teams. This has helped me build long-term trust with the companies I have worked with, both in in-house roles and freelance collaborations.

Next availability:
August 10, 2026

Product and Service Designer based in Helsinki, with 6+ years of experience designing digital products, service experiences, and user-friendly interfaces. I have worked on customer-facing platforms, internal tools, e-commerce systems, IoT-connected biomedical products, and public service projects. My experience includes user research, usability testing, workflow analysis, prototyping, and translating complex needs into clear design solutions.

What makes me stand out is my ability to identify patterns across user needs and transform them into practical solutions that create value for both users and businesses. I am also highly responsible and organized, able to work independently while staying closely aligned with clients and teams. This has helped me build long-term trust with the companies I have worked with, both in in-house roles and freelance collaborations.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate

Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Advanced

Work Experience

Service Designer Intern at City of Helsinki
February 1, 2026 - Present
Conducted customer research with HR professionals, founders, and service providers to identify patterns in employers’ hiring decisions. Translated user needs into an employer service journey by mapping which city services support companies across hiring stages, resulting in a tool used by communications and advisory teams. Redesigned digital service content and user flows based on user testing and stakeholder feedback, aligning with organizational design guidelines and collaborating with the software team for implementation. Received team recognition and a performance-based bonus for ownership, initiative, collaboration, and independent work.
Design Intern at RDI Unit at University of Lapland
August 1, 2025 - November 30, 2025
Redesigned the university intranet to improve navigation and cross-departmental access to key resources using user testing and iterative feedback. Implemented database automation to keep research support team information continuously updated and easier to maintain.
Experience Design Manager at Grupo GF SAS
May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024
Redesigned digital customer service workflows by improving internal processes and integrating CRM and automation tools, reducing response times by 46% and improving efficiency of customer-facing operations. Designed and developed an e-commerce platform using WooCommerce with customizations using AI-assisted PHP and CSS, achieving over COP $15M in indirect sales from B2B customers. Increased social media reach from 1.3K to 51.7K by refining campaign storytelling based on audience insights.
Product Manager at Startup Accelerator Program (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)
August 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023
Designed the UI/UX for an Augmented Reality platform aimed at reducing neurodegenerative effects, guided by an empathetic understanding of patient limitations. Led a Colombian engineering team in Japan to develop AR glasses and deliver the first prototype, iterating mobile app versions for the Japanese market. Represented the startup in investment rounds, tech expos, and media coverage, building alliances with Japanese investors and hospitals, securing a ¥1M grant, and establishing the company’s legal entity in Japan.
Product Designer at Human Bionics
January 20, 2020 - April 30, 2023
Designed and developed IoT-connected biomedical devices with engineering teams using an iterative design process to refine functionality and user comfort, including a pressotherapy device presented at the 29th World Congress of Lymphology in Italy. Created responsive, accessible interfaces for patients with disabilities, translating user needs and healthcare service requirements into inclusive digital experiences.

Education

Master's in Service Design, Strategies & Innovation at University of Lapland | Art Academy of Latvia | Estonian Art Academy (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Program)
September 9, 2024 - June 11, 2026
Bachelor in Product Design at University of Research and Development
February 1, 2016 - February 5, 2021

Qualifications

Google UX Design Professional Certificate
August 1, 2025 - July 18, 2026
Lean startup entrepreneurial training program (George Washington University)
October 1, 2022 - July 18, 2026

Industry Experience

Healthcare, Government, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Software & Internet, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Gaming