Leila Akberdin

Available to hire

I'm Leila Akberdin—a design researcher and UX/UI designer driven by a deep curiosity about people and the systems they navigate.

About

I’m Leila Akberdin—a design researcher and UX/UI designer driven by a deep curiosity about people and the systems they navigate. I have 5+ years of experience driving consumer-centered product innovation across physical and digital platforms, with expertise spanning qualitative methods (ethnography, usability, interviews) and quantitative methods (surveys, UserZoom, Qualtrics). I partner with product, design, and strategy teams to shape offerings in healthcare, finance, and consumer tech, including B2B and B2C platforms. I translate research into clear design direction and business outcomes, thriving in both regulated environments and fast-moving contexts.

I collaborate across disciplines to develop end-to-end experiences and robust design systems, and I enjoy turning complex user insights into practical, testable design strategies that teams can implement quickly and effectively.

  • Joined October 2025

Languages

  • RussianFluent
  • EnglishFluent

Industry experience

  • Healthcare
  • Professional Services
  • Software & Internet
  • Financial Services
  • Life Sciences
  • Other

Projects · 3

In 2020, I collaborated on developing a communication product for a health insurance navigation company, designing an omnichannel solution that streamlined interactions across digital and human touchpoints to make health benefits easier to understand and engage with. The following is the final presentation, with some content blurred for confidentiality.

Objectives

  • Create a new communication product that leverages an omnichannel communication approach.
  • Take product from ideation to implementation.

Results

  • A new navigation tool projected to save $29,200 per year. This tool streamlines health insurance navigation by cutting down wasted time, freeing up support staff for higher-priority needs, and giving members easier, more consistent access across channels. By teaching key terms, integrating seamlessly with existing systems, and fostering a sense of care, it supports a clear path toward a fully omnichannel experience.
  • Brand Designer
  • Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • +3

In 2020, I collaborated on developing a communication product for a health insurance navigation company, designing an omnichannel solution that streamlined interactions across digital and human touchpoints to make health benefits easier to understand and engage with. The following is the final presentation, with some content blurred for confidentiality.

Objectives

  • Create a new communication product that leverages an omnichannel communication approach.
  • Take product from ideation to implementation.

Results

  • A new navigation tool projected to save $29,200 per year. This tool streamlines health insurance navigation by cutting down wasted time, freeing up support staff for higher-priority needs, and giving members easier, more consistent access across channels. By teaching key terms, integrating seamlessly with existing systems, and fostering a sense of care, it supports a clear path toward a fully omnichannel experience.

https://www.twine.net/signin

This project sought to design the graphical user interface (GUI) for the next generation of Apheresis Blood donation devices.

Objectives

  • Identify and address any usability challenges with current apheresis GUI’s
  • Improve Workflow efficiencies
  • Incorporate on-screen instructions
  • Optimize visual brand language (VBL)

Results

  • A modern “all-in-one” interface that works for novice and expert users alike.
  • A GUI that helps users optimize blood donation procedure parameters to maximize blood collection outputs.

https://www.twine.net/signin

Work experience· 9 roles

Design Researcher · Insight by NemeraSep 2024 – Oct 2025 · 1 yr 2 mos

Directed end-to-end research initiatives from study design to final deliverables, ensuring insights informed product strategy and design decisions. Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data across 20+ studies and synthesized patterns into journey maps and process maps, guiding cross-functional teams in aligning product decisions with user needs.

Design Researcher & UX/UI Designer · Insight by NemeraSep 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

Designed comprehensive user experiences for complex SaMD platforms by developing information architecture, low- to high-fidelity wireframes, and interactive prototypes for usability testing and low-code implementation. Led healthcare UX research, translating findings into design strategies that guided product direction and clinical alignment. Standardized scalable design systems in Figma to improve consistency and reduce handoff friction. Embedded UX research throughout the design process and collaborated cross-functionally to translate insights into business-ready design decisions. Presented research rationales to external stakeholders, building trust and securing buy-in. Cultivated ongoing client relationships, with repeat engagements and extensions. Worked with engineering teams in Agile environments to implement solutions while preserving design integrity.

User Experience Research Contractor · Aquent USAFeb 2022 – Oct 2025 · 3 yrs 9 mos

Created the UX research roadmap for qualitative discovery research aimed at developing product strategy, uncovering user challenges, and optimizing product solutions for auto insurance. Conducted UserZoom studies and analyzed study data to report key findings.

User Experience Research Contractor · Aquent at USAANov 2021 – Feb 2022 · 4 mos
Design Researcher · Insight by NemeraAug 2021 – Sep 2024 · 3 yrs 2 mos
Design Research Intern · Insight by NemeraAug 2021 – Oct 2025 · 4 yrs 3 mos
Product Design Intern · Quantum HealthAug 2020 – Oct 2025 · 5 yrs 3 mos
Industrial Design Intern · IlluminationAug 2019 – Oct 2025 · 6 yrs 3 mos

Education· 5

Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Industrial Design, Minor: Humanitarian Engineering · The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio2030 – 2025
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Industrial Design · The Ohio State University2030 – 2025
Bachelor of Science (B.S), Industrial Design; Minor in Humanitarian Engineering · The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio2030 – 2025
Bachelor of Science (B.S) Industrial Design · The Ohio State University2030 – 2025

Certifications and awards

Research Distinction in Industrial Design2030 – 2025

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