Hello! I am a product-minded UI/UX Designer and academic with a unique background in architecture and design research. Based in Berlin, I specialize in translating complex content into clear, accessible, and human-centered digital interfaces. Who I Am: I bridge the gap between high-level design theory and practical, user-focused digital solutions. With over a decade of experience across the design spectrum—ranging from architectural research to university-level lecturing—I bring a disciplined, analytical approach to every product I touch. My Most Important Skills: End-to-End Product Design: I am proficient in the full design lifecycle, including creating user flows, personas, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI within Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Research & Strategy: My academic foundation allows me to conduct rigorous UX research, including surveys, competitor analysis, and usability testing to inform information architecture. Visual Communication: I have extensive experience building cohesive identity systems and component libraries that ensure brand consistency across all platforms. What Differentiates Me: What sets me apart is my spatial and structural thinking derived from my background in architecture. While many designers focus only on the surface, I approach interfaces as digital environments. My experience as a Design Lecturer means I don't just "do" design; I understand the "why" behind human-centered and inclusive principles, allowing me to mentor teams and communicate complex design decisions to stakeholders with clarity. Sector Experience I have successfully delivered projects across various sectors, demonstrating my versatility: Education & Academia: Spent years as a Lead Visual Designer and Lecturer, shaping curriculum and international symposium identities. E-commerce: Designed mobile shopping applications, focusing on conversion-critical flows like product details and checkout. Digital Media: Transformed static institutional content into interactive, searchable journal experiences. Architecture & Culture: Conducted international research and modeling projects in Spain and Belgium, refining my eye for detail and precise visual documentation

N. Yagmur Simsek

PRO
5.0 (1 review)

Hello! I am a product-minded UI/UX Designer and academic with a unique background in architecture and design research. Based in Berlin, I specialize in translating complex content into clear, accessible, and human-centered digital interfaces. Who I Am: I bridge the gap between high-level design theory and practical, user-focused digital solutions. With over a decade of experience across the design spectrum—ranging from architectural research to university-level lecturing—I bring a disciplined, analytical approach to every product I touch. My Most Important Skills: End-to-End Product Design: I am proficient in the full design lifecycle, including creating user flows, personas, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI within Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Research & Strategy: My academic foundation allows me to conduct rigorous UX research, including surveys, competitor analysis, and usability testing to inform information architecture. Visual Communication: I have extensive experience building cohesive identity systems and component libraries that ensure brand consistency across all platforms. What Differentiates Me: What sets me apart is my spatial and structural thinking derived from my background in architecture. While many designers focus only on the surface, I approach interfaces as digital environments. My experience as a Design Lecturer means I don't just "do" design; I understand the "why" behind human-centered and inclusive principles, allowing me to mentor teams and communicate complex design decisions to stakeholders with clarity. Sector Experience I have successfully delivered projects across various sectors, demonstrating my versatility: Education & Academia: Spent years as a Lead Visual Designer and Lecturer, shaping curriculum and international symposium identities. E-commerce: Designed mobile shopping applications, focusing on conversion-critical flows like product details and checkout. Digital Media: Transformed static institutional content into interactive, searchable journal experiences. Architecture & Culture: Conducted international research and modeling projects in Spain and Belgium, refining my eye for detail and precise visual documentation

Available to hire

Hello! I am a product-minded UI/UX Designer and academic with a unique background in architecture and design research. Based in Berlin, I specialize in translating complex content into clear, accessible, and human-centered digital interfaces.
Who I Am:
I bridge the gap between high-level design theory and practical, user-focused digital solutions. With over a decade of experience across the design spectrum—ranging from architectural research to university-level lecturing—I bring a disciplined, analytical approach to every product I touch.
My Most Important Skills:
End-to-End Product Design: I am proficient in the full design lifecycle, including creating user flows, personas, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI within Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

Research & Strategy: My academic foundation allows me to conduct rigorous UX research, including surveys, competitor analysis, and usability testing to inform information architecture.

Visual Communication: I have extensive experience building cohesive identity systems and component libraries that ensure brand consistency across all platforms.

What Differentiates Me:
What sets me apart is my spatial and structural thinking derived from my background in architecture. While many designers focus only on the surface, I approach interfaces as digital environments. My experience as a Design Lecturer means I don’t just “do” design; I understand the “why” behind human-centered and inclusive principles, allowing me to mentor teams and communicate complex design decisions to stakeholders with clarity.

Sector Experience
I have successfully delivered projects across various sectors, demonstrating my versatility:
Education & Academia: Spent years as a Lead Visual Designer and Lecturer, shaping curriculum and international symposium identities.
E-commerce: Designed mobile shopping applications, focusing on conversion-critical flows like product details and checkout.
Digital Media: Transformed static institutional content into interactive, searchable journal experiences.
Architecture & Culture: Conducted international research and modeling projects in Spain and Belgium, refining my eye for detail and precise visual documentation

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Language

English
Fluent
German
Beginner
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner
Turkish
Fluent

Work Experience

UI/UX Designer at Freelance / Self-initiated projects
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2025
Designed an end-to-end book-sharing platform in 4 months; performed UX research with 15 participants (survey with 17 questions + follow-up interviews) and competitor analysis; translated insights into information architecture and key interaction patterns; conducted usability tests and iterated on the product to improve navigation clarity and overall task completion.
Design Lecturer at Istanbul Beykent University
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Taught interior architecture and design courses, linking spatial thinking with user-centered and visual design principles.
Design Researcher / Teaching Assistant at Beykent University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2021
Planned and coordinated international design/architecture symposiums, shaping program structure, speaker journeys, and participant experiences; supported curriculum and syllabus development; helped translate theoretical content into clear learning flows; assisted with course preparation and studio facilitation.
Stage Designer Intern at NT Gent Theatre
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2014
Contributed to stage designs at both model and full scale, collaborating with designers and technicians on visual and spatial concepts; assisted in preparing stage designs and supporting data for an international design exposition, including model making and detailing.
UI/UX Designer - Freelance / Self‑initiated projects at Self‑initiated projects (Freelance)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Designed an end‑to‑end book‑sharing platform in 4 months, covering user flows, personas, low‑ and high‑fidelity wireframes, and UI in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Conducted UX research with 15 participants, translating insights into information architecture and key interaction patterns. Conducted usability tests and iterated on the product, improving navigation clarity and overall task completion.
Design Lecturer at Beykent University
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023
Taught interior architecture and design courses, linking spatial thinking with user‑centered and visual design principles.
Stage Design Intern at NT Gent Theatre
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2014
Contributed to stage design for model and full‑scale sets; collaborated with designers and technicians on visual and spatial concepts. Assisted in preparing staged design showcases and data for an international design expo.
Lead Visual Designer at Beykent University – Interior Architecture Department
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2014
Led cohesive identity systems across posters, books, ads, banners, web assets, and logos for the department’s international symposium series 'Design for Living with Water' (3 consecutive years) and national workshops. Coordinated with brand owner and iOS developer to ensure UI consistency across screens.

Education

Bachelor of Interior Architecture at Yıldız Technical University
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2016
MSc History and Theory of Architecture at Yıldız Technical University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2019
PhD | History and Theory of Architecture at Yıldız Technical University
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2025
MSc | History and Theory of Architecture at Yıldız Technical University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2019
Bachelor | Interior Architecture at Istanbul Technical University
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2016
Complete Web & Mobile Designer: UI/UX, Figma Certificate at Udemy
January 1, 2023 - January 8, 2026
Zero to Mastery at Online
January 1, 2023 - January 8, 2026
Anadolu University at Anadolu University
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2025

Qualifications

Zero to Mastery
January 1, 2023 - January 8, 2026
Erasmus Staff Exchange Teaching Mobility Scholarship
January 1, 2022 - January 8, 2026
Erasmus Student Exchange Mobility Scholarships
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018
Competition Winner - Multifunction Storing Unit | The Adaptive Haven
January 1, 2016 - January 8, 2026

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other