Curriculum Vitae

Yasmin N. Garcia Avalo

UX/UI Designer

Profile

I am a UX/UI designer with a broader technical foundation than most designers carry. My bachelor in Applied Data Technology at OsloMet covered not only interaction design and prototyping, but systems architecture, databases, programming, IoT, cybersecurity and more. I understand how front, middle and back connect, where constraints could exist, and have a foundational overview of what it requires to build the design. My focus is on the human side: understanding what people need, why they hesitate, and how to translate that into products that are simple to use even when the system behind them is not. I am currently studying behavioural science at OsloMet to deepen that research foundation. I am drawn to problems where the underlying complexity is real and the interface still has to feel simple.

Born in Norway, raised in Spain, and having lived across multiple countries in Europe and beyond, I grew up adapting to cultures, reading rooms, learning languages and navigating complexity on my own. That is not separate from my design work. It is the foundation of it. Life for me has always been about understanding people, situations and the world around me, and I bring that to every project.

I started working young and rarely through a single path. From modeling internationally to caregiving, yoga instruction and photo retouching I have developed strong service oriented skills. My professional experience is diverse, requiring me to adapt to new teams, work situations and new requirements. It has also sharpened my empathy, attention to detail, creativity in problem solving, collaborative communication and the ability to understand what someone actually needs rather than what they say they need. That is what I bring to every research session and every screen I design.

I am looking for collaborative work that builds things that matter, where I can contribute not just to design execution but to how research questions are shaped and what methods are worth using. I want to keep growing, work across research, interaction design and visual craft, and bring the kind of perspective that comes from a life that has rarely followed the expected path.

Relevant Experience

Tools & SkillsSoft Skills
Spring 2026

UX Consultant — Plyo AS View case study →

Independent project (under NDA). Researched behavioral and psychological drivers behind purchasing decisions through user interviews, behavioral analysis (PostHog / SQL) and stakeholder mapping over 20 weeks. Conceptualized an AI-assisted service: a buyer assistant and broker dashboard translating user behavior into readiness signals.

User ResearchBehavioral AnalyticsSQL / PostHogStakeholder MappingAI Interaction DesignDesign ThinkingInformation Architecture
Spring 2026

UX Research Lead & Designer — Triona AS View case study →

Bachelor thesis. Led user interviews and heuristic evaluation of Arbeidsvarsling, a road-work documentation system used 70+ times per week per user. Designed in Figma and contributed to frontend implementation in React / TypeScript. Evaluated against Nielsen heuristics and WCAG 2.1. Redesign confirmed for production adoption.

FigmaUser ResearchHeuristic EvaluationUsability TestingUniversal DesignWCAG 2.1React / TypeScriptFrontend
Spring 2025

Design & UX Research — Learnio AS

Researched how AI can improve job-seeking processes. Ran design and user testing across multiple iterations to build a trustworthy, user-controlled experience.

User ResearchDesign ThinkingPrototypingUsability TestingAI-Augmented WorkflowsFigma

Other Experience

2021 – Present

Yoga Instructor

Self-employed, Corporis AS, Abel and others

Lead group classes and individual coaching for corporate clients, adapting communication and training style to different audiences and creating safe, inclusive learning environments.

FacilitationAdaptive CommunicationGroup Dynamics
2011 – 2023

Personal & Child Care Support

Adecco AS (kindergarten) / Uloba BPA & Stendi AS (personal assistance)

Child-centered care and user-directed personal assistance with daily support tailored to individual needs, both grounded in accessibility and individualized care.

EmpathyActive ListeningAccessibility Mindset
2004 – 2020

Model & Photo Retoucher

Full-time / Ego Studio, Employ AS

International model, later became a remote photo retoucher, living and working as an expat. Managed international client relationships and deadlines autonomously, combined with detail-oriented visual editing of commercial and artistic content.

PhotoshopCross-cultural AdaptabilityVisual LiteracyAutonomous Work
2004 – 2015

Waitress & Hostess

Cafe-Bar KonFusion, Opium BCN / Kaffebreneriet AS / Sabaki

Guest-facing service in fast-paced hospitality settings, building strong customer service instincts, communication, and the ability to stay composed and attentive under pressure.

Composure Under PressureService MindsetCommunication