About
Paulina Fiore
UX Designer · Team Lead · Educator
I design thoughtful, human-centered products by combining user research, systems thinking, and visual clarity. I lead research-informed design for complex projects — particularly in health, accessibility, and emerging technology — and guide teams from early research through polished delivery.
10+
Projects
launched
launched
5+
Years
experience
experience
07
Awards
won
won
02
Languages
spoken
spoken
Current focus
Designing
Accessible, research-led experiences
Leading
Design teams and mentoring designers
Teaching
Interaction design and running workshops
What I can do for you
- Map end-to-end user flows and state machines across complex products
- Define product architecture before pixel-level design begins
- Surface edge cases and the seams between features early
- Design for the whole system, not the snapshot
- Design hover, focus, and pressed states that feel intentional
- Build transitions and easing curves that support comprehension
- Craft micro-interactions and feedback loops
- Use motion to clarify, not to decorate
- Build high-fidelity prototypes in Figma, code, and motion tools
- Stress-test ideas with real users before they ship
- Use prototypes as alignment tools for stakeholders
- Answer questions static mocks can't: timing, friction, momentum
- Architect token systems and theming for scale
- Design component APIs that teams actually want to use
- Write documentation designers and engineers reference
- Build adoption rituals that make the system stick
- Run semi-structured interviews and contextual inquiry
- Conduct moderated and unmoderated usability testing
- Synthesize mixed-method research into actionable insight
- Translate findings into concrete design moves
- Develop visual identity, type, and color systems
- Apply pixel-craft to make interfaces feel considered
- Translate brand voice into interface tone
- Maintain craft across every touchpoint
- Mentor designers across project phases
- Run UX and design thinking workshops
- Teach interaction design
- Facilitate critiques, research synthesis, and alignment
Where I've worked
2025 — Present
Instructor, Interaction Design
University of Miami
Teaching foundational UX and UI design to undergraduate students.
- Designed and evaluated hands-on projects in interaction design and prototyping
- Mentored students in usability testing, design thinking, and Figma workflows
- Provided one-on-one feedback to support design craft and technical fluency
2024 — Present
UX Researcher & Project Manager
University of Miami
Leading UX research and design for medical and firefighter-focused applications.
- Conducted user research, QA testing, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing
- Coordinated project timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional collaboration
- Facilitated meetings and research synthesis to align stakeholder and user needs
2021 — 2024
Lead UI / UX Designer
User Experience Lab · Yoliia
Led end-to-end UX design for shipped health and educational applications.
- Defined user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes for accessibility and engagement
- Collaborated with developers, researchers, and illustrators on cohesive user-centered work
- Guided design decisions across concept, testing, iteration, and launch
2020 — 2021
UI / UX Designer
VESL
Designed and shipped interactive experiences including games and VR projects.
- Focused on interaction design, systems thinking, and rapid prototyping
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams on mechanics, user flows, and feedback systems
Education & training
Degrees
2026
MFA, Interactive Media In progress
University of Miami
2023
BS, Interactive Media
University of Miami · Minors in Screenwriting & Game Design
Magna Cum Laude · GPA 3.9 / 4.0
Certifications
✓
IRB Certified
Institutional Review Board — Human Subjects Research
✓
Academic Note Taker
Academic Note Taker Certification
✓
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Certification
Skills & expertise
Core UX research
Deep understanding of user behavior through research.
UI / UX design
Crafting beautiful, intuitive user experiences.
Project management
Organizing teams and delivering projects on time.
Teaching & communication
Sharing knowledge and building strong relationships.
Prototyping & visual production
Bringing designs to life with motion and interaction.
Research writing & publication
Publishing academic research and contributing to scholarly discourse.
Tools & software
Figma
Illustrator
Photoshop
Premiere
After Effects
Maya 3D
Unity
Substance Painter
Awards & recognition
2024
Best Game Design
End of Year Showcase
Recognized for outstanding game design at the end of year showcase.
2023
Canes Cinema
Miami Dade
Recognized for outstanding 2D animation work at the Canes Cinema showcase.
2023
Broadcasting Intro Competition Winner
University of Miami
Won the Broadcasting Intro competition for best animated introduction sequence.
2023
Auggie Award
Augmented World Expo
Recognized for excellence in virtual reality experience design and innovation.
2023
Miami MOCCAD VR Initiative
Museum of Contemporary Art and Design
Recognized for contributions to the VR Initiative at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in Miami.
2022
Innovation in Design
Creative Summit
Awarded for innovative approach to design systems and component libraries.
2020
Rising Star Designer
Design Community
Honored as an emerging talent in the UI/UX design field.