Melisa Kao UX
Melisa Kao
Currently leading Experience Design @ ecoATM | Gazelle
Apr 2021 - Present
Experience Design Manager
ecoATM | Gazelle
Remote
ecoATM | Gazelle is a mobile device recommerce solution offering an easy way to buy and sell used devices. I currrently lead the Experience Design team where we focus on solving the unique challenges of our kiosk, website, and mobile app experiences.
May 2017 - Mar 2021
Senior Interaction Designer
ecoATM | Gazelle
San Diego, CA / Remote
​Joining an in-house product design team was a refreshing contrast to my previous roles at advertising and digital agencies. I helped design ecoATM’s first mobile app experience, developed a kiosk design system library in Sketch, and managed language localization and voice audio recording for the kiosk.​
Jan 2014 - Dec 2021
User Experience Consultant
Vimbly
New York, NY / Remote
Vimbly is an online activity-booking service. As a part-time consultant, I’ve had a long-standing relationship with Vimbly’s founders. Projects have included the redesign of Vimbly’s activity booking website and working with their partners and clients such as LEE (Leadership for Educational Equity) and GP Fund Solutions.
Sep 2014 - Nov 2016
Senior Experience Designer
MRY (now Formerly Known As)
New York, NY
MRY was a digital creative agency specializing in youth and social media marketing. I worked on the redesign of RepNation, a brand ambassador platform comprised of a website, mobile app and administrative console.
Sep 2014 - Sep 2015
Meetup Organizer
Ladies that UX NYC
New York, NY
Ladies that UX is a global community for women in UX. I organized monthly professional networking events for the New York City chapter, partnering with other local meetups to cross-promote events and further engage members.
Sep 2012 - Sep 2014
User Experience Designer
BBDO
New York, NY
BBDO is a global advertising agency where I spent much of my time as the only UX lead for the NY chapter. Projects included website and mobile app work for clients such as AT&T, Bud Light, Lowe's, Monster.com, and Pedigree.
Sep 2011 - Sep 2012
User Experience Architect
Merck
Rahway, NJ
At Merck, I supported the UX team working on features to improve the corporate intranet. I recruited employees who use the intranet and conducted user research studies including interviews, card sorting exercises, and usability tests.
July 2009 - May 2011
Associate User Experience Architect
RPA
Santa Monica, CA
RPA is California’s largest independent advertising agency. Starting as an intern, I quickly fell in love with UX design and moved into a full-time role. I supported the UX team on web and mobile projects for clients such as Honda, Acura, Arco, and Ampm.
2005 - 2009
University of Southern California
Marshall School of Business
Los Angeles, CA
B.S. Business Admininstration, Advertising & Promotion Strategy
Psychology Minor
Skills
Research
Listening lab studies
Usability testing
Affinity mapping
Multivariate testing
Field studies
Concept studies
Personas
Surveys
Card sorting
Interaction Design
Flow diagrams
Site maps
Wireframes
Prototypes
Functional specifications
Tools
Figma
Miro
Sketch
InVision
Omnigraffle
Jira
Confluence
Airtable