About Me
Product Designer.
Outdoors Lover.
Photography Enthusiast.
Dog Mom.
Carolina Arai
I am a North Vancouver based Product designer with over 10 years of experience. I am passionate about web accessibility and user experience. After studying and working in Latin America and Asia, I was inspired by the different cultural aspects that strengthen our communities and how there are brought together by technology.
Thanks to my global perspective I strive for the continuous improvement of the user experience.In 2016, I moved to British Columbia to study New Media Design and Web Development at BCIT. I discovered my passion for interactivity, information architecture and web design.
Through my work experience, I’ve learned to prioritize web accessibility, data visualization and usability. Thanks to my years freelancing, I have developed the ability to find the right balance in communication aligning the needs of the user, the business objectives and the technical aspects of development and design.
When I am not in front of the computer, I like to spend time with my dogs, painting acrylic or watercolour or cooking. I love the outdoors! So you may find me on a hike in the summer, snowshoeing in the winter or stand-up paddleboarding in a lake. I love travelling too. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to visit wonderful places in Canada, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, USA, and more. I like to take my camera (mostly my phone) with me, and try to capture my favourite moments during my travels.
My Experience
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Outcomes
Senior Web Designer
December 2021 - Present
Wireframes, and medium and high-fidelity mock-ups for corporate website.
Implementation and Development of the Corporate Website using WordPress.
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Real Estate Webmasters
Web Designer
Oct 2018 - Nov 2020
Led the Web Accessibility Implementation Campaign, created documentation and trained 50+ employees on WCAG 2.0 practices and ADA compliance.
Increased the usability of more than 50 client’s websites and the core product, Vision, restructured the information architecture, rapid prototyping, mock-up design and front-end implementation considering web accessibility first.
Improved Web Performance and SEO of the corporate site by refactoring the code adhering to A11y syntax and redesigning the user interface.
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Prizm Media - RxtoMe
UX/UI Designer
Nov 2017 - Jun 2018
Created effective low, medium and high fidelity prototypes to improve the usability and the information architecture of the RxtoMe desktop app and RxtoMe pharmacy portal.
Defined the design standards, processes and protocols between the IT team and the Marketing team. Actively participated in discussions about UI/UX.
Created graphics, web banners, icons, illustrations and motion graphics.
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CareCru
UI Designer
Oct 2016 - Oct 2017
Improved the usability of the Patient Management by restructuring the user flow, creating wireframes, and a high-fidelity prototype.
Actively participated in discussions regarding best usability practices.
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Telus
UX/UI Designer Volunteer
Sep 2017 - Oct 2017
Redesigned the UI of the medium fidelity prototype that got the approval for the Green Tracker Team to get the budget to finance the real app.
Improved the usability and functionality of the beta version by synthezing the data, restructuring the information architecture, creating a more consistent labeling to create a more user friendly experience.
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British Columbia Institute of Technology
New Media Design and Web Development Certificate
Oct 2016 - Oct 2017
Studied this twelve months certificate to strengthen my coding, user interface and user experience design skills.
Graduated with honours.
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mLabs
Visual Information Designer
May 2016 - Jun 2017
Improved the usability and flow of the Fresh Meal Plan website. Restructured the information architecture and created high-fidelity wireframes.
Improved consumer engagement of Foresight Financial and SAFWRX by developing branding strategies and managing the social media presence.
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Librerias La Leo
Graphic Designer
Oct 2014 - Dec 2015
Improved engagement in social media by creating new graphics and banners.
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Secretaría de Turismo del Estado de Oaxaca
Graphic Designer
Nov 2013 - Oct 2013 (Social Service)
Social service at "MEXCALITO", a company that locally produces mezcal. Working together with the Tourism Secretary of Oaxaca, their main goal is the promotion of the mezcal throughout Mexico.
I was responsible for the branding, product labels, editorial design, promotional and information booklets and product photography.
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Created 2D animations for the Mexican production of Broadway’s Musical Avenue Q.
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Kansai Gaidai University
Asian Studies Exchange Program
Sep 2011 - May 2012
Study abroad in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan for a year.
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Graduated Cum Laude
Student Council Treasurer (2010-2011)
General Editor of the Cain Murray Monthly Gazette (2009-2010)
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100% Full Scholarship Award
Universidad De Las Americas de Puebla
Aug 2008
Won First Place in the Academic Scholarship Contest of Arts and Social Studies. Earned a 100% full scholarship for my bachelor's education.
Licenses & Certifications
Interaction Design: Interface
Course completed on Apr 18, 2023
Certificate ID: AQKLE1n72WLZW4OLkqpTPB0_X0LZ
Issued by LinkedIn Learning.
WAI0.1x: Introduction to Web Accessibility
Course completed on September 22, 2020
Certificate ID: 5c8a9d9bbf7843879e4010bea1b541c1
Issued by edX LLC.