Turning Ideas Into Products Using UX Strategy & Gen AI | Product Designer | UX Systems Expert | 70+ Clients 🤓 A geek for organization. Remember that doc a client sent a year ago? Yeah — I know exactly where it is. Discipline, creativity, and the belief that hard work pays off. That’s been my path — long before I became a product designer. My first “design job” was at Golf Auto Rent-a-Car while I was still studying. I handled design campaigns, managed the vehicle fleet, and helped international clients rent cars. It wasn’t glamorous — but it taught me how to handle pressure, deliver fast, and solve problems with confidence. Around the same time, I joined the student association at Lisbon’s Fine Arts University. Created flyers, posters, and promo materials — learning how to communicate visually and fight for every opportunity. Those early days shaped everything. They taught me to show up, deliver, and aim higher. Always. 🚀 Professional Experience After 3 years as a Product Designer at Novabase (Portugal’s largest IT company), I led the product design team at Pathfinders, which I co-founded in 2016. Over 13 years, I worked across 80+ projects — from branding to full-scale products — building websites, web apps, and mobile apps that are strategically human-centered but also fast and intuitive. Today, I’m the founder of Branco Web Design where I help companies turn raw ideas into clean, scalable digital products that perform and stand out. As a cross-functional leader, I collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams to deliver scalable design systems validated by usability testing and A/B experiments, while championing accessibility and meaningful business impact. 💡 What I specialize in • Product Strategy & Architecture • Design Systems • UX & UI Design (Web + Mobile) • Webflow Development • CMS & API Integrations • Gen AI Design • Custom Animations • SEO Foundations 💎 Portfolio → brancowebdesign.com → behance.net/goncalo_branco Let’s build something that works beautifully — and makes people care.
Drop me a message.

Gonçalo Branco

Turning Ideas Into Products Using UX Strategy & Gen AI | Product Designer | UX Systems Expert | 70+ Clients 🤓 A geek for organization. Remember that doc a client sent a year ago? Yeah — I know exactly where it is. Discipline, creativity, and the belief that hard work pays off. That’s been my path — long before I became a product designer. My first “design job” was at Golf Auto Rent-a-Car while I was still studying. I handled design campaigns, managed the vehicle fleet, and helped international clients rent cars. It wasn’t glamorous — but it taught me how to handle pressure, deliver fast, and solve problems with confidence. Around the same time, I joined the student association at Lisbon’s Fine Arts University. Created flyers, posters, and promo materials — learning how to communicate visually and fight for every opportunity. Those early days shaped everything. They taught me to show up, deliver, and aim higher. Always. 🚀 Professional Experience After 3 years as a Product Designer at Novabase (Portugal’s largest IT company), I led the product design team at Pathfinders, which I co-founded in 2016. Over 13 years, I worked across 80+ projects — from branding to full-scale products — building websites, web apps, and mobile apps that are strategically human-centered but also fast and intuitive. Today, I’m the founder of Branco Web Design where I help companies turn raw ideas into clean, scalable digital products that perform and stand out. As a cross-functional leader, I collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams to deliver scalable design systems validated by usability testing and A/B experiments, while championing accessibility and meaningful business impact. 💡 What I specialize in • Product Strategy & Architecture • Design Systems • UX & UI Design (Web + Mobile) • Webflow Development • CMS & API Integrations • Gen AI Design • Custom Animations • SEO Foundations 💎 Portfolio → brancowebdesign.com → behance.net/goncalo_branco Let’s build something that works beautifully — and makes people care.
Drop me a message.

Available to hire

Turning Ideas Into Products Using UX Strategy & Gen AI | Product Designer | UX Systems Expert | 70+ Clients

🤓 A geek for organization. Remember that doc a client sent a year ago? Yeah — I know exactly where it is. Discipline, creativity, and the belief that hard work pays off. That’s been my path — long before I became a product designer.

My first “design job” was at Golf Auto Rent-a-Car while I was still studying. I handled design campaigns, managed the vehicle fleet, and helped international clients rent cars. It wasn’t glamorous — but it taught me how to handle pressure, deliver fast, and solve problems with confidence. Around the same time, I joined the student association at Lisbon’s Fine Arts University. Created flyers, posters, and promo materials — learning how to communicate visually and fight for every opportunity. Those early days shaped everything. They taught me to show up, deliver, and aim higher. Always.

🚀 Professional Experience
After 3 years as a Product Designer at Novabase (Portugal’s largest IT company), I led the product design team at Pathfinders, which I co-founded in 2016. Over 13 years, I worked across 80+ projects — from branding to full-scale products — building websites, web apps, and mobile apps that are strategically human-centered but also fast and intuitive.

Today, I’m the founder of Branco Web Design where I help companies turn raw ideas into clean, scalable digital products that perform and stand out. As a cross-functional leader, I collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams to deliver scalable design systems validated by usability testing and A/B experiments, while championing accessibility and meaningful business impact.

💡 What I specialize in
• Product Strategy & Architecture
• Design Systems
• UX & UI Design (Web + Mobile)
• Webflow Development
• CMS & API Integrations
• Gen AI Design
• Custom Animations
• SEO Foundations

💎 Portfolio
brancowebdesign.com
behance.net/goncalo_branco

Let’s build something that works beautifully — and makes people care.
Drop me a message.

See more

Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
See more

Language

Portuguese
Fluent
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Founder & Lead Designer at Branco Web Design
June 2, 2025 - Present
At Branco I own the complete product lifecycle with each client, from discovery to final delivery. I start with discovery sessions to clarify goals, map users and elicit requirements, then turn insights into value hypotheses and success criteria. I structure scope and priorities, materialise flows and prototypes to validate solutions before build, and maintain a clear design rationale with stakeholders. I manage a clean handover into development and ensure consistency across touchpoints through systematic UI decisions and documentation.
Co-founder & Web Design Lead at Pathfinders - Web Design Agency
November 11, 2016 - April 30, 2025
For roughly nine years I led an eight‑person team, combining hands‑on design with project direction. From first client contact I facilitated discovery, structured the define phase and translated complex requirements into usable, visually coherent information systems. I implemented design‑system principles early to secure scalability, coordinated sprints with engineering and marketing, and followed execution through to delivery. To ensure quality and impact, I promoted user testing and A/B testing, feeding learnings into fast, evidence‑based iterations.
UX/UI Designer at Novabase
January 8, 2014 - September 30, 2016
I had the privilege of working for the largest IT company in Portugal where I worked on task‑critical software projects—mobile and web—with strong emphasis on UX/UI, rapid prototyping and research. In an agile setup, I joined squads of 2–4 designers within a larger team, applying design thinking to clarify problems, organise large information sets and turn dense tables and processes into clear, efficient user experiences. I planned and ran usability tests to validate learnability and efficiency, and ensured responsive behaviour and visual excellence from wireframe to final UI.
Design & Turism at Golfauto Rent-a-car
February 1, 2011 - January 7, 2014
Supported the brand with event collateral (flyers and campaigns) for Golf and rent a car events. In parallel, handled operational tasks such as contract setup and administrative follow‑up. The role strengthened my real‑world communication and English fluency, ensuring alignment between message, brand image and business needs.
Graphic Designer at Faculty of Fine-Arts, Lisbon University
December 1, 2011 - January 31, 2013
Owned graphic and digital production for the association, from identity and posters to assets for events, talks and internal initiatives. Ensured visual consistency across formats and channels, meeting deadlines and specific requirements from concept to final artwork.

Education

UX/UI Design & Development at Edit. – Disruptive Digital Education
August 1, 2013 - January 31, 2014
Bachelor in Multimedia Design at Faculty of Fine Arts, Lisbon University
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2013
Licenciate Year 1 in Design at IADE Creative University
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2010
High School in Visual Arts at Colégio Moderno, Lisbon
September 4, 2006 - June 19, 2009

Qualifications

Webflow Expert
December 13, 2023 - December 15, 2023
Digital Content Marketing
October 13, 2016 - October 27, 2016
Experience Design Fundamentals
January 6, 2015 - January 6, 2015
Design Thinking
November 11, 2014 - November 11, 2014
How To Talk
June 5, 2014 - June 5, 2014
AI Fluent Tech Professional
November 18, 2025 - November 20, 2025
https://certificate.calyptus.co/ai-fluency/532-goncalo-branco

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Professional Services, Financial Services, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Education, Real Estate & Construction, Travel & Hospitality, Retail, Other, Energy & Utilities, Telecommunications, Government
    paper Soudal Shop (E-commerce Website)

    Full Case Study: https://www.twine.net/signin/portfolio/2024/soudal-shop
    Full Portfolio: https://www.twine.net/signin

    Project Scope
    Complete UX/UI design and development for Soudal Shop Portugal, including a scalable Figma design system, Shopify build, Easypay payment integration, and a fully custom loyalty points program. The platform delivers a secure, intuitive shopping experience for both professionals and DIY customers.

    Challenge
    The main challenge was to design an e-commerce platform that served multiple customer segments with distinct needs—industry professionals, construction specialists, and retail/DIY users—while maintaining a consistent brand experience. The platform needed to organize a large and diverse product catalog, offer advanced filtering, support secure and varied payment options, and include a fully custom loyalty points program without additional operational costs for the client.

    Solution / Approach
    A scalable design system was developed in Figma to maintain consistency across all pages and future updates. The Shopify platform was customized to reflect Soudal’s brand identity, with clear segmentation of the three main customer groups for a personalized shopping journey. Each category was further subdivided for quick navigation, ensuring users could find relevant products efficiently.

    The Product section was structured with intuitive navigation and advanced filters, enabling searches by product type or job requirements. A dedicated Bike Range category showcased high-quality products for bicycle care, supported by Soudal Quick-Step, emphasizing premium positioning for cycling enthusiasts.

    The Checkout was optimized for speed and security, integrating Easypay to support MB WAY and credit card payments. In addition, a fully custom Customer Loyalty Points Program was designed and implemented from scratch, blending seamlessly with the site’s style and encouraging repeat purchases at no extra cost to the client.

    Results / Impact
    The Soudal Shop Portugal platform provided a unified, scalable e-commerce solution tailored to diverse customer needs. The design system ensured brand consistency across all product categories, while advanced filtering and clear segmentation improved navigation and purchase efficiency. The custom loyalty points program increased customer retention without adding operational costs, and the optimized checkout process enhanced trust and conversion rates.

    According to the client, the new store quickly began outperforming the previous one, gaining much more traction. Sales increased 9x from €1000/month to €9000€/month in only 10 months after launch. This validated the effectiveness of the design and development decisions, as well as the platform’s ability to engage customers and drive growth.

    paper IDnow (UX/UI Website Design)

    Full Case Study: https://www.twine.net/signin/portfolio/2024/idnow
    Full Portfolio: https://www.twine.net/signin

    Project Scope
    Complete UX/UI redesign for IDnow’s corporate website, including a scalableFigma design system, industry-specific layouts, interactive prototypes, and a consistent visual framework to support future development.

    Challenge
    IDnow required a complete redesign that could present complex identity verification services to diverse industries in a clear and approachable way. The solution needed to maintain brand consistency, provide scalability for future pages and features, and visually reinforce credibility and trust. Additionally, the UX had to accommodate a wide range of content types—from industry case studies to developer resources—while keeping navigation intuitive for global audiences.

    Solution / Approach
    A mobile-first, fully responsive design system was created in Figma, built around reusable components to accelerate production and maintain consistency. The homepage was designed to establish immediate trust, featuring prominent service highlights, certifications, client logos, and press mentions. Clear calls-to-action and structured layouts guided users towards relevant information.

    Dedicated Industries pages addressed sector-specific challenges and explained how IDnow’s technology delivers secure, compliant verification. The Platform section emphasized trust through certifications and compliance badges, while an interactive verification journey form demonstrated the platform’s flexibility.

    The Product section broke down the identity verification process into clear stages, combining concise text with strong visuals to make complex technology understandable. The About Us page blended the company’s mission, history, and team into an engaging, humanized presentation. Additional templates for Blog, Careers, Case Studies, Developer Hub, and Webinars were included in the design system, ensuring visual and functional consistency across the future live website.

    Results / Impact
    The new UX/UI designs provided IDnow with a comprehensive, scalable visual framework for their corporate website. The Figma design system streamlined the creation of multiple page types while ensuring brand consistency and adaptability for future development. Interactive prototypes and clear content structures made it easier for stakeholders to visualize the final product and plan technical implementation. The result is a user-centered, visually cohesive design ready to position IDnow as a leader in identity verification across multiple industries.

    paper Hodl real-time crypto tracker (Mobile App)

    Full Case Study: https://www.twine.net/signin/portfolio/2023/hodl-real-time-crypto-tracker
    Full Portfolio: https://www.twine.net/signin

    **Project Scope
    Complete UX/UI design for HODL, a real-time cryptocurrency and stock tracking app for iOS and Android. Between 2018 and 2023, the interface was continuously updated with new features, refined layouts, and a scalable design system, ensuring a consistent and intuitive experience across platforms.

    Challenges
    The challenge was to maintain visual and functional consistency while introducing multiple new features over several years of continuous updates. The interface needed to handle large amounts of real-time financial data without overwhelming users, while remaining equally accessible for beginners and experienced traders. Each update required seamless integration with existing design patterns and compatibility across iOS and Android platforms.

    Solution / Approach
    A scalable 6-column grid design system was developed to ensure consistent alignment and spacing across all app screens. Pre-defined placeholder areas and reusable UI components were established, making it easier to integrate future updates while preserving a cohesive look and feel.

    To support the app’s clean and modern aesthetic, custom iconography was created, while carefully designed user flows simplified navigation across the platform. Over time, new functional screens were introduced, such as the Watchlist, which combined real-time charts, prices, tweets, and news in a single view, and the Portfolio Tracker, enabling users to save coins and monitor transactions with clarity. The app also incorporated Alerts with smart bracket logic for price targets and percentage changes, as well as a full Social Interface with feeds, public profiles, posts, notifications, and chat — turning HODL into a hub for both financial tracking and community interaction.

    All designs were delivered as detailed Figma files with specifications and interaction guidelines for the development team, ensuring precise implementation across devices.

    Results / Impact
    The updated HODL interface delivered a cleaner, faster, and more intuitive experience for its users, supporting the app’s growth in a competitive fintech market. The scalable design system allowed for smooth integration of new features over five years of collaboration, while maintaining a consistent brand experience across all touchpoints. The result is a modern finance app trusted by a global community for real-time cryptocurrency and stock tracking.

    App Store 4.7★ - 137 reviews & Google Play 4.5★ - 78.2k reviews.

    paper Bhout Bag (CMS Website)

    Full Case Study: https://www.twine.net/signin/portfolio/2023/bhout-bag
    Full Portfolio: https://www.twine.net/signin

    Project Scope
    UX/UI design and Webflow development for Bhout — the world’s first smart punching bag powered by AI. Featuring responsive design, dynamic animations, and seamless performance to showcase Bhout’s cutting-edge tech that merges sensors, computer vision, and human-like feedback. Built for pros. Made safe for beginners.

    Challenge
    The main challenge was to create a digital platform that effectively presented a completely new product concept, explaining its advanced technology and unique training methodology in a way that would appeal to both professional athletes and beginners. The site needed to balance technical detail with engaging storytelling, while also driving reservations from individuals and gyms.

    Solution / Approach
    A scalable design system was created in Figma to ensure visual consistency and support future updates. The site was developed in Webflow with a mobile-first approach, integrating responsive layouts, dynamic animations, and smooth transitions to highlight key product features.

    The Technology section introduced the AI-powered sensor system, explaining how computer vision tracks performance, enhances technique, and reduces injury risk. The Design section showcased the layered bag construction, illustrating its similarity to human body density for realistic impact. The Experience section highlighted the nine-stage training program and the app’s synchronized mood rings and music for motivation.

    A fully immersive design approach was applied across the site, combining high-quality visuals, bold typography, dynamic interactions, and an intuitive layout to replicate the energy of a real BHOUT workout. Clear calls-to-action encouraged visitors to reserve their BHOUT Bag, whether for personal use or for integration into gym training spaces, supporting the brand’s commercial and community growth.

    Results / Impact
    The BHOUT Bag platform successfully communicated the uniqueness of the product, balancing its advanced technology with an engaging and immersive presentation. The responsive design and interactive elements helped potential buyers understand both the performance benefits and the training experience. The site drove interest from individual fitness enthusiasts and gyms, generating product reservations and building momentum for BHOUT’s launch.

    paper Touch - Inflight Solutions (CMS Website)

    Full Case Study: https://www.twine.net/signin/portfolio/2022/touch
    Full Portfolio: https://www.twine.net/signin

    Project Scope
    Complete UX/UI design and Webflow development for Touch, a company specialized in tailored in-flight entertainment solutions. The project aimed to enhance brand positioning, strengthen digital presence, and communicate Touch’s role in supporting airlines’ marketing and product strategies through an innovative and user-friendly website.

    Challenge
    One of the main challenges was to position Touch not only as a technology provider, but as a trusted partner capable of combining innovation, efficiency, and a human touch. The website needed to explain in-flight entertainment services that can often feel technical and complex, translating them into clear, engaging narratives that airlines could immediately understand.

    At the same time, it had to capture the immersive, emotional side of traveling, reinforcing Touch’s promise of delivering digital experiences that feel seamless, enjoyable, and memorable. The design therefore had to balance two layers: building credibility and trust with airline executives, while also expressing the creativity and innovation that define the aviation industry.

    Solution / Approach
    The design process began with a modular system in Figma, ensuring scalability and visual consistency across all sections. Once the foundation was set, the website was developed in Webflow with full responsiveness, smooth transitions, and lightweight animations to create an immersive experience that mirrors the feeling of traveling on board an aircraft. Each section was crafted to highlight Touch’s pillars — customized care, engaging content, and user-friendly technology — while maintaining a clean, modern interface.

    A key feature was the integration of an interactive subscription simulator, allowing airlines to quickly estimate costs and explore different service options. By combining storytelling, aviation-inspired visuals, and a frictionless user experience, the website communicates Touch’s expertise while reflecting its commitment to innovation and digital transformation in the airline industry.

    Results / Impact
    The new website elevated Touch’s digital presence, reinforcing its credibility as a trusted partner in the aviation industry. By combining immersive design with clear communication of services, the platform succeeded in building trust with airline executives and showcasing Touch’s innovative DNA. The interactive subscription simulator became a valuable tool for demonstrating transparency and flexibility, helping the brand stand out from competitors. Beyond functionality, the immersive user experience created a lasting impression, positioning Touch as a forward-thinking leader capable of transforming in-flight entertainment into a seamless digital journey.

    paper Enterprise Open (Branding, Web App, Desktop App & Mobile App)

    Full Case Study: https://www.twine.net/signin/portfolio/2020/enterprise-open
    Full Portfolio: https://www.twine.net/signin

    Project Scope
    EO, short for Enterprise Open, is a B2B solution for internal business management. The project included the creation of a solid and modern brand identity, a brandbook, and the full design of the EO Workspace software across native apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and browser environments.

    Challenge
    The main challenge was twofold: first, to create a brand that could communicate strength, trust, and modernity to a B2B audience; second, to design a complex software system that would remain easy to use across multiple devices and operating systems. Balancing consistency with adaptability was key to ensuring a strong user experience and alignment with the brand’s values.

    Solution / Approach
    The project began with the creation of the EO brand identity, establishing a design language that reflected solidity, security, and connectivity. A full brandbook defined logos, color systems, typography, and guidelines for applying the identity across sub-brands EO Workspaces, EO Services, and EO Monitoring.

    For EO Workspace, the design process started with UX flows that mapped how users would navigate within the virtual environment. UI screens were then developed in Photoshop for mobile, browser, and Windows platforms, ensuring that each respected the native conventions of its system while maintaining a unified EO experience. To streamline collaboration with developers, all guidelines and assets were delivered via Zeplin. This structured workflow ensured that the final product was faithful to the design vision while technically feasible for implementation.

    Results / Impact
    Enterprise Open was positioned as a credible and professional solution for B2B clients. The branding reinforced EO’s values of trust and innovation, while the EO Workspace product delivered a scalable, cross-platform environment for business management. The combined outcome was a solid foundation for promoting the system to enterprises in need of secure and modern internal solutions.