Rebecca Karlis

Royal Oak, Michigan info@rebeccakarlis.com

Hi! I'm Rebecca.

User Experience Designer and Researcher

My approach to user experience is grounded in systems thinking about both human behavior and information systems. I bring with me not only direct experience with user experience design and research, and content design, but also over a decade of additional professional research experiences ranging from media strategy to corporate librarianship. I am passionate about solving problems with deep critical thinking and empathy.

Let's collaborate!

Experience

UX Designer II

United Wholesale Mortgage, Pontiac, MI
  • Designed wireframes in Figma and seamlessly coordinated handoffs to developers via Zeplin.
  • Supported a dynamic team of 13+ designers with UX research expertise, offering guidance to junior UXD members and contributing to the management of a diverse product portfolio spanning 30+ internal and external applications.
  • Effectively managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring smooth operations through strategic prioritization, timeline negotiations, and meticulous attention to methodological approaches and their impact.
  • Provided valuable mentorship to junior designers and researchers by reviewing research strategy documents and delivering guidance on business acumen, psychological priming, appropriate methods, and other research best practices.
  • Involved stakeholders in in the discovery process through captivating narratives and concise presentations.
  • Implemented streamlined processes to enhance research operations, including the development of research repositories, restructuring of knowledge bases, and thorough documentation of procedures.
  • Identified promising opportunities for collaborative research initiatives with CX (Customer Experience) and other internal teams, contributing to the expansion and innovation of research endeavors.
2022 – Present

UX Designer

United Wholesale Mortgage, Pontiac, MI
  • Spearheaded the implementation of documentation procedures, establishing and refining research operations for heightened efficiency, clarity, and organizational efficacy.
  • Crafted compelling content and refined UX writing for web applications, driving comprehension.
  • Played a pivotal role in establishing robust UX Research Operations practices, driving innovation by creating cutting-edge templates, meticulously documenting research processes, and orchestrating enlightening lunch and learn sessions for designers during virtual conferences.
  • Provided comprehensive support across UI writing, content design, user research, and design projects, fostering the development to enhance user-centric solutions.
2021 – 2022

Technical Writer

United Wholesale Mortgage, Pontiac, MI
  • Authored and revised user interface (UI) content for internal applications to improve user engagement.
  • Produced user manuals and technical documentation for application development and DevOps projects to facilitate smoother execution.
  • Created centralized glossary by gathering information from internal dictionaries and resources in collaboration with architecture and data governance.
2019 – 2021

Librarian

CPA Global, Southfield, MI
  • Administered licensing and renewal procedures for research products, with oversight of invoicing.
  • Maintained vendor relationships and communications.
  • Provided additional support for intellectual property research to commercial patent researchers and assisted in obtaining hard-to-find materials.
2018 – 2019

Technical Writer

United Wholesale Mortgage
  • Write clear, user-friendly documentation to support diverse internal audiences.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to publish in cadence with new deploys.
  • Prioritize documentation workflows to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders.
  • Gather product information from scrum meetings, SME interviews, reviewing user stories, and experimentation.
  • Peer review the work of other writers.
2019-2019

Technical Research Specialist/Librarian

CPA Global
  • Managed authentication, acquisition, access, and technical support for library databases.
  • Supported research of patents and non-patent literature with reference service.
  • Executed licensing and renewal processes for research products; managed invoicing and vendor relationships.
  • Monitored market to identify new products, features, and information resources in patents.
2018-2019

Writer

Tweddle Group
  • Developed instructional video scripts for the automotive consumer market.
  • Optimized workflows by initiating reorganization of network files, developing process documentation, and revamping workflows.
  • Collaborated across project teams to ensure rigorous standards in content accuracy.
  • Verified content by researching client’s new model features and vetting existing and new content against source material from OEM.
  • Tested audio and navigation systems, Bluetooth, and in-vehicle apps for comprehensive product knowledge.
2016-2018

Information Services Analyst/Librarian

Kelly Services
  • Administered electronic resources for internal global General Motors eLibrary.
  • Provided research assistance by request for trends in automotive innovation, patent and trademark information, scientific literature, and technical engineering standards.
  • Led R&D new employee library orientation sessions and coordinated supplier-providing training for employees.
  • Executed internal communications in order to establish a stronger relationship with the larger organization; maintained departmental website.
  • Responsible for external communication with vendors.
2015-2016

Reference & Electronic Services Librarian

Marygrove College
  • Responsible for electronic resources acquisition; managed a budget of $85,000.
  • Developed information architecture and custom CSS for internally created e-resources.
  • Resolved traffic and access issues by implementing guest management software.
  • Managed proxy server for off-site access and assisted users with troubleshooting.
  • Created administrative documentation for electronic resources and databases.
2013-2015

Reference & Instructional Services Librarian

Marygrove College
  • Led information literacy instruction sessions and provided reference desk research guidance.
  • Provided technical support for library computers and peripheral devices.
  • Designed marketing brochures, pamphlets, flyers, and signage for events and services.
  • Planned and led library events with event committee.
2012-2013

Adult Services Librarian (Part-time)

Troy Public Library
  • Provided reference, reader’s advisory services, and technology support.
  • Supported patrons in setting up personal e-readers, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Assisted with providing computer classes for Microsoft Office.
  • Maintained the collection of large-print materials.
2011 - 2012

Graduate Student Assistant

Wayne State University
  • Provided library reference services to undergraduate students, community members, graduate students, and faculty.
  • Assisted with co-teaching several instruction sessions for undergraduate courses.
  • Provided light technical support to patrons in copier use, email and course management software, and occasional software support.
  • Assisted with the scheduling of new Graduate Assistants.
2010 - 2011

Media Associate

Starcom Worldwide
  • Researched and coordinated national media buy for television and print advertising flights tracking a multi-million dollar budget.
  • Established and maintained relationships with vendors for future partnerships.
  • Prepared client-facing presentations on media strategy.
2007 - 2007

Education

Wayne State Univeristy

Master of Library and Information Science
2009-2011

Michigan State University

Bachelor of Arts, Advertising
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
2000-2005

Skills

TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES
  • Operating Systems: macOS, Windows, some familiarity with Linux
  • Design and Prototyping: Figma/FigJam, InVision, Balsamiq
  • User Research: UserTesting, UseZoom, Qualtrics
  • Collaboration and Documentation: Atlassian Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zeplin
  • Web Development: HTML5, CSS3, Markdown
  • Video Editing and Screen Recording: Camtasia, SnagIt
  • Basic Office Software: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Bookings), Jira, Microsoft TFS

Portfolio

Coming soon