Available to hire
Hi, I’m Joshua Yao, a product designer and UC Berkeley cognitive science graduate who loves turning complex problems into thoughtful, human-centered digital experiences. I enjoy collaborating across disciplines to build scalable and accessible solutions that drive real user and business impact.
With a background in UX research, prototyping, and end-to-end product design, I’ve designed assets and interfaces for education, social impact, and Web3 literacy initiatives at UC Berkeley and the Blum Center. I’m based in San Jose, California, and I’m excited to partner with teams to ship delightful experiences that matter.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
Chinese
Fluent
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Visual Designer at Freelance Designer
December 1, 2022 - PresentDec 2022 - Present: Freelance designer providing branding and UI/UX consultation for diverse clients. Addressed design challenges with tailored solutions and maintained professional client communication.
Design Associate at Blum Center for Developing Economies
December 1, 2022 - October 1, 2025Developed and illustrated creative assets and marketing materials for Blum Center initiatives; partnered with administrators and clients to design & prototype mockups; maintained the Blum design system, improving design consistency by 75% and reducing design time for new projects by 40%.
Community Officer Design at UC Berkeley
May 1, 2022 - October 1, 2025Spearheaded design accessibility and diversity initiatives; planned events providing design education and career development; managed socials and retreats for 120+ members; led design teams for pro-bono on-campus work; instructed Introduction to Photoshop & Illustrator with increased enrollment and course completion rates.
VP Internal Affairs | Senior Advisor | DeCal Facilitator at Innovative Design (Berkeley)
May 1, 2022 - October 1, 2025Led internal affairs and advised, DeCal facilitator; designed assets supporting Web3 financial literacy; created high-performing visual assets for paid social campaigns aligning with performance metrics.
Marketing Designer at Valora
April 1, 2025 - PresentRemote Marketing Designer; collaborated with product and marketing teams to develop visual assets and ensure brand consistency across digital platforms; supported branding and UI/UX projects.
Product Designer at Freelance Designer
December 1, 2022 - October 29, 2025Worked with a variety of clients and small businesses providing branding and UI/UX consultation. Addressed design challenges faced by clients and proposed solutions adapted to their specific needs. Maintained professional correspondence with clients, presenting concepts and incorporating feedback.
Design Associate at Blum Center for Developing Economies
December 1, 2022 - December 1, 2022Collaborated with product, marketing, and design teams to develop visual assets promoting social initiatives; designed and maintained the Blum design system, improving design consistency and reducing design time for new projects.
Community Officer Design at UC Berkeley
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Spearheaded initiatives promoting design accessibility and diversity; planned events providing design education and career development for Berkeley student designers; managed socials and retreats for 120+ members; led pro-bono design work and instructed Introduction to Photoshop & Illustrator courses (30 students per semester) with increased enrollment and completion rates.
VP Internal Affairs | Senior Advisor | DeCal Facilitator at Innovative Design, UC Berkeley
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Led internal affairs and provided senior advisory support; facilitated DeCal courses and collaborated with student designers to promote innovative design practices on campus.
Marketing Designer at Valora
April 1, 2025 - October 29, 2025Designed and optimized marketing collateral across digital platforms, including email, social, and paid media; produced high-performing assets for paid social campaigns and ensured brand consistency (remote).
Product Designer at Self-employed (Freelance)
December 1, 2022 - October 29, 2025Dec 2022 - Present: Worked with a variety of clients and small businesses providing branding and UI/UX consultation; addressed design challenges; maintained professional correspondence with clients presenting concepts and incorporating feedback.
Community Officer, Design at Berkeley at UC Berkeley
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Spearheaded design accessibility and diversity initiatives; planned and organized design education and career development events; managed socials and retreats for 120+ members of Berkeley’s largest student-run design agency; led teams of designers for pro-bono client work; instructed Introduction to Photoshop & Illustrator to 30+ students each semester for two semesters, improving enrollment and completion rates.
VP Internal Affairs | Senior Advisor | DeCal Facilitator at Innovative Design (UC Berkeley)
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Oversaw internal affairs and advised on design initiatives; collaborated with product, marketing, and design teams to develop visual assets supporting Web3 financial literacy; designed and optimized marketing collateral across digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency; created assets for paid campaigns.
Freelance Designer at Self-Employed
December 1, 2022 - October 29, 2025Worked with a variety of clients and small businesses providing branding and UI/UX consultation; addressed design challenges faced by clients and proposed solutions adapted to clients’ specific needs; maintained professional correspondence with clients presenting concepts and incorporating feedback.
Design Associate at Blum Center for Developing Economies
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Collaborated with product, marketing, and design teams to develop visual assets that support Web3 financial literacy and product adoption; designed and optimized marketing collateral across digital platforms, including email, social, and paid media, ensuring brand consistency; designed high-performing visual assets for paid social campaigns, boosting user acquisition and engagement by aligning creative direction with performance metrics.
VP Internal Affairs / Senior Advisor / DeCal Facilitator at Innovative Design
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Led design initiatives, coordinated with product, marketing, and design teams; promoted design education and career development; supported DeCal facilitator programs and student designer development.
Education
B.A. Cognitive Science at University of California, Berkeley
August 1, 2018 - May 1, 2022Certificate in Design Innovation at Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022B.A. Cognitive Science at University of California, Berkeley
August 1, 2018 - May 1, 2022Certificate in Design Innovation at Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
May 1, 2022 - October 29, 2025B.A. Cognitive Science at University of California, Berkeley
August 1, 2018 - May 1, 2022Certificate in Design Innovation at Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2022B.A. Cognitive Science at University of California, Berkeley
August 1, 2018 - May 1, 2022Certificate in Design Innovation at Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Qualifications
Certificate in Design Innovation
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Certificate in Design Innovation
May 1, 2022 - October 29, 2025Certificate in Design Innovation
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2022Certificate in Design Innovation
May 1, 2022 - May 1, 2022Industry Experience
Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Education, Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Other
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
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