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I am a systems-oriented designer with a track record of taking ideas from research to launch across startups and regulated industries. I specialize in blending physical and digital product design to deliver strategic solutions that balance user needs with business and technical constraints. With a Master of Science in Human Factors Ergonomics and a Business Management minor, I bring a holistic approach to design teams. I've led product development, built design systems, and conducted design research with clinicians, families, and engineers to shape meaningful experiences.…I am a systems-oriented designer with a track record of taking ideas from research to launch across startups and regulated industries. I specialize in blending physical and digital product design to deliver strategic solutions that balance user needs with business and technical constraints. With a Master of Science in Human Factors Ergonomics and a Business Management minor, I bring a holistic approach to design teams. I've led product development, built design systems, and conducted design research with clinicians, families, and engineers to shape meaningful experiences.

Alvina Salim

Product Designer, UX Designer, UI Designer, +3

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I am a systems-oriented designer with a track record of taking ideas from research to launch across startups and regulated industries. I specialize in blending physical and digital product design to deliver strategic solutions that balance user needs with business and technical constraints. With a Master of Science in Human Factors Ergonomics and a Business Management minor, I bring a holistic approach to design teams. I've led product development, built design systems, and conducted design research with clinicians, families, and engineers to shape meaningful experiences.…I am a systems-oriented designer with a track record of taking ideas from research to launch across startups and regulated industries. I specialize in blending physical and digital product design to deliver strategic solutions that balance user needs with business and technical constraints. With a Master of Science in Human Factors Ergonomics and a Business Management minor, I bring a holistic approach to design teams. I've led product development, built design systems, and conducted design research with clinicians, families, and engineers to shape meaningful experiences.

Available to hire

I am a systems-oriented designer with a track record of taking ideas from research to launch across startups and regulated industries. I specialize in blending physical and digital product design to deliver strategic solutions that balance user needs with business and technical constraints.

With a Master of Science in Human Factors Ergonomics and a Business Management minor, I bring a holistic approach to design teams. I’ve led product development, built design systems, and conducted design research with clinicians, families, and engineers to shape meaningful experiences.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Head of Product Development, Founder at Nitipp

January 1, 2025 - Present

Defined product vision through leading brainstorming sessions and 10+ user interviews, guiding decision-making across function areas, and shaping MVP strategy for a task-coordination app. Managed external UI illustrators and partnered with engineers to direct the evolution of the design system, ensuring a cohesive, scalable, and user-focused product design. Strategized pricing system and in-app coin purchasing experience to optimize user engagement.

Design Research Assistant at CoLab

January 1, 2023 - May 1, 2025

Identified overlooked burdens on family caregivers in chronic illness care by leading interviews and co-design sessions with clinicians and families, and applied findings to develop product design solutions. Synthesized qualitative data and executed end-to-end mobile interface designs, including product features, information architecture, stakeholder flows, interactive elements, and its design system. Published as first author of a peer-reviewed study at CHI’25, a premier international Human-Computer Interaction conference with a sub-20% acceptance rate. Assessed product feasibility through competitive analysis, market growth, ROIs, and related factors.

Design Teaching Assistant at College of Design, University of Minnesota

September 1, 2023 - May 1, 2025

Assisted teaching in the Product Innovation Lab course, guiding 50+ students across engineering, business, and design in generating innovative design concepts for a client. Served as lab instructor for the Creative Design Methods course with 200+ students, focusing on design thinking foundations, including leading brainstorming sessions and providing critiques. Supported instruction in the Product Form and Model Making course of 44 students, and provided hands-on guidance on materials and finishes, and digital and physical fabrication techniques.

(Digital) Product Intern at Council on Foreign Relations

January 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023

Spearheaded two website projects—podcast and newsletter—by evaluating business and user needs. Applied the design system to deliver responsive and seamless UX across web, mobile, and email. Converted findings and business goals into actionable insights for product development and branding. Implemented SEO practices across web and app interfaces to increase accessibility and engagement.

Graphic and Product Design Intern at Science Communication Lab

September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2023

Transformed complex science concepts into 10+ interactive experiences, including 2D/3D illustrations, infographics, animations, and exhibit projects for classrooms, state fairs, and the Bell Museum. Developed a game system, leading the end-to-end design process from research through execution. Assessed user task flows to enhance UX writing of HIPAA content for underserved communities. Led a guest interview and produced an article applying UX writing principles and storytelling strategies.

(Physical) Product Design Intern at Realityworks

January 1, 2022 - August 1, 2022

Contributed to the development of 8 ongoing science and healthcare products for educational institutions, by collaborating with engineers, stakeholders, users, marketing, and manager. Led and delivered 2 products into production—Soil Monolith Kit and Pediatric ECG Simulator—as a founding designer, working autonomously and advocating for user-centered designs. Conducted literature & user research, ideation, CAD surface & solid modeling, graphic design, prototyping, and interviews with subject matter experts.

(Digital) UX/UI Project Lead (Contract) at Design U (Consultancy)

September 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021

Directed a 3-person team to deliver a website design, balancing user, business, and technical needs. Built information architecture, user flows, and design systems to effectively convey design concepts. Planned content strategy and presented actionable design solutions for the client.

(Physical) Product Design Intern at Andersen Windows & Doors

March 1, 2021 - August 1, 2021

Worked alongside the engineers to improve the aesthetics, interaction, and the overall experience of the products, through research on the users, trends and market needs, and manufacturing limitations. Owned and improved the end-to-end UX of windows and accessories design (A-series high-end series), as the sole product designer of the company, enhancing the functionality and UX of the products.

Head of Product Development, Founder at Nitipp (In-progress)

January 1, 2025 - Present

Defined product vision through leading brainstorming sessions and 10+ user interviews, guiding decision-making across function areas, and shaping MVP strategy for a task-coordination app. Synthesized qualitative insights to drive strategic decision-making, balancing user desirability with technical and business constraints to prioritize high-impact features across cross-functional teams. Managed external UI illustrators and partnered with engineers to direct the evolution of the design system, ensuring a cohesive, scalable, and user-focused product design. Strategized pricing system and in-app coin purchasing experience to optimize user engagement.

Product Graphics Design Intern at Intuitive Surgical

May 1, 2024 - August 31, 2024

Created original graphical markings for surgical robotic systems, translating technical and ergonomic constraints into elegant, manufacturable solutions that guide users through critical workflows. Led the company’s first product graphics design system, integrating human factors, graphical, and technical considerations, to standardize workflow and streamline stakeholder communication. Mapped user scenarios and analyzed success/failure interaction points to guide design improvements and improve surgeon, nurse, and technician workflows, directly impacting global surgical experiences. Generated concepts for the ION Catheter product graphics by analyzing existing touch-points and exploring interaction design solutions for multiple identified scenarios.

Product Intern at Council on Foreign Relations

January 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023