I work at the intersection of UX thinking and visual design, with a focus on structure, clarity, and usability. My approach design is to understand complex problems through research, iterate with users, and create interfaces that are intuitive and visually pleasing. My work spans the full product lifecycle, from discovery and problem framing through prototyping, interface design, user testing, and iteration. My design decisions are grounded in research and structured problem-solving while balancing user needs with product and business goals. I work closely with developers throughout implementation, treating design as a collaborative process. I have over 20 years of design experience: more than 15 years in high-end moving image design, followed by over five years focused on UX and UI design. During that time, I've focused primarily on XR product design. At Glue, my work included redesigning the product's user interface and designing the Hand UI. I'm currently working on other XR projects under NDA. Designing across both spatial and traditional interfaces has broadened my approach to navigation, hierarchy, accessibility, and interaction design. My background in moving image design also continues to influence how I approach interface design. That experience taught me that clarity and credibility come from deliberate design decisions rather than visual decoration. I hold a Master's degree in design from LAB University of Applied Sciences. My thesis developed the RBL Framework, a structured method for defining interface elements through clear semantic roles. It was evaluated with XR design practitioners and later co-published as a practitioner article, reflecting my interest in making design decisions explicit, systematic, and user-centred. Alongside my design practice, I use AI tools to support research, ideation, prototyping, and content generation. I'm also actively exploring AI-assisted design and development workflows through personal projects, using my own expertise and judgement to evaluate, refine, and integrate the results. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience could contribute to your team's work.

Sami Syrjä

I work at the intersection of UX thinking and visual design, with a focus on structure, clarity, and usability. My approach design is to understand complex problems through research, iterate with users, and create interfaces that are intuitive and visually pleasing. My work spans the full product lifecycle, from discovery and problem framing through prototyping, interface design, user testing, and iteration. My design decisions are grounded in research and structured problem-solving while balancing user needs with product and business goals. I work closely with developers throughout implementation, treating design as a collaborative process. I have over 20 years of design experience: more than 15 years in high-end moving image design, followed by over five years focused on UX and UI design. During that time, I've focused primarily on XR product design. At Glue, my work included redesigning the product's user interface and designing the Hand UI. I'm currently working on other XR projects under NDA. Designing across both spatial and traditional interfaces has broadened my approach to navigation, hierarchy, accessibility, and interaction design. My background in moving image design also continues to influence how I approach interface design. That experience taught me that clarity and credibility come from deliberate design decisions rather than visual decoration. I hold a Master's degree in design from LAB University of Applied Sciences. My thesis developed the RBL Framework, a structured method for defining interface elements through clear semantic roles. It was evaluated with XR design practitioners and later co-published as a practitioner article, reflecting my interest in making design decisions explicit, systematic, and user-centred. Alongside my design practice, I use AI tools to support research, ideation, prototyping, and content generation. I'm also actively exploring AI-assisted design and development workflows through personal projects, using my own expertise and judgement to evaluate, refine, and integrate the results. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience could contribute to your team's work.

Available to hire

I work at the intersection of UX thinking and visual design, with a focus on structure, clarity, and usability. My approach design is to understand complex problems through research, iterate with users, and create interfaces that are intuitive and visually pleasing.

My work spans the full product lifecycle, from discovery and problem framing through prototyping, interface design, user testing, and iteration. My design decisions are grounded in research and structured problem-solving while balancing user needs with product and business goals. I work closely with developers throughout implementation, treating design as a collaborative process.

I have over 20 years of design experience: more than 15 years in high-end moving image design, followed by over five years focused on UX and UI design. During that time, I’ve focused primarily on XR product design. At Glue, my work included redesigning the product’s user interface and designing the Hand UI. I’m currently working on other XR projects under NDA.

Designing across both spatial and traditional interfaces has broadened my approach to navigation, hierarchy, accessibility, and interaction design. My background in moving image design also continues to influence how I approach interface design. That experience taught me that clarity and credibility come from deliberate design decisions rather than visual decoration.

I hold a Master’s degree in design from LAB University of Applied Sciences. My thesis developed the RBL Framework, a structured method for defining interface elements through clear semantic roles. It was evaluated with XR design practitioners and later co-published as a practitioner article, reflecting my interest in making design decisions explicit, systematic, and user-centred.

Alongside my design practice, I use AI tools to support research, ideation, prototyping, and content generation. I’m also actively exploring AI-assisted design and development workflows through personal projects, using my own expertise and judgement to evaluate, refine, and integrate the results.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience could contribute to your team’s work.

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Language

Finnish
Fluent
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner
Swedish
Beginner

Work Experience

UX & UI Designer at REALITY CRISIS
January 1, 2025 - Present
Sole designer in a small game studio, responsible for UX and UI for an XR skateboarding game. Introduced Design Thinking to clarify UX concepts and interaction models using user flows. Created UI designs and interactive prototypes, then collaborated with developers on implementation and testing. Developed a UI strategy and improved usability through clean visual design and clear information hierarchy while responding to constantly evolving game design requirements.
Freelance Designer
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Delivered mobile UI concepts with a focus on information architecture and intuitive UX flows. Designed and directed an immersive exhibition experience, and supported media production including VFX compositing, motion graphics, and concept art.
UX & UI Collaboration Designer at GLUE COLLABORATION
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2024
Worked in a small product design team designing and shipping a VR software platform for remote collaboration and productivity. Owned usability-focused UI for complex information architecture and diverse use cases. Developed virtual space concepts and a spatial UX strategy to support effective interaction in immersive environments.
Creative Director at FAKE GRAPHICS
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2019
Provided creative direction and led digital design/moving-image work across client and in-house projects, combining visual craft with structured production leadership.
Lead Digital Artist at FAKE GRAPHICS
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2010
Led digital art work, supporting design, storytelling, and production processes in high-end moving-image/VFX contexts.
Digital Artist at Fake Graphics
January 1, 2006 - Present
Worked as a digital artist with responsibilities spanning production of digital and VFX-related assets and deliverables.
Moving Image Designer at VIDEOMAKERS
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2006
Focused primarily on motion graphics design and editing for TV advertising, delivering broadcast-ready creative assets through editing and motion design workflows.

Education

Master of Culture and Arts (MA) — Digital Solutions for Design and Media at LAB University of Applied Sciences
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2026
Studies (UI, UX) at The Interaction Design Foundation
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024
BA — Multimedia Production at Lahti Institute of Design
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2004

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Education