Bashar Zapen Email & Phone Number

Kiel, Sh, De

Open to roles in: - UX/UI Design, - Industrial Product Design, - Design and User Experience Research.

Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

- Spearheaded the research, design, and development of Laminar, an eco-friendly, reusable toothpaste tube, which earned international recognition and secured state funding for its innovative sustainability.- Orchestrated over 50 usability studies, optimising the product design through iterative prototyping, resulting in a refined, accessible solution for the whole family, including individuals with grip impairments.- Conducted hundreds of compatibility runs, driving Laminar from concept to a viable, sustainable packaging solution adaptable to existing toothpaste products, reducing barriers to industry adoption.- Led SDL's lab operations using Agile methodologies, successfully managing multiple concurrent projects and ensuring each met critical milestones and development goals.

Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

- Spearheaded the creation of the UX/UI department, establishing the company’s design system and corporate identity, significantly enhancing consistency and user experience across platforms.- Implemented cross-departmental collaborative practices, driving a 20% increase in project efficiency and reducing development time by 50%, fostering stronger alignment between product management and engineering teams.- Led the successful transformation from the legacy WebPortal to TMS Web, improving performance with a 75% reduction in loading times and shortening client onboarding periods from 6 months to mere weeks.- Expanded functionality by integrating three new training management system features, most notably the visual workflow creation tool, automating several backend processes and improving operational efficiency.

Dammam, Eastern, Saudi Arabia

- Delivered custom web and UX solutions for international clients and start-ups, driving increased user procurement and engagement and improving digital experiences across various industries.- Planned and led workshops for NGOs and Insurance companies, accelerating product development and enabling organisations to rapidly prototype and test digital solutions tailored to user needs.- Trained robotics engineers and factory operators on enhancing Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) solutions, improving workflow efficiency and machine usability in power plants and industrial factories.- Prototyped and successfully launched a FinTech product and an AI pet training system, positioning both for early market adoption and achieving initial user growth.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

- Launched an internal User Experience and Digital solutions department, leveraging existing agency resources to expand service offerings and enhance client delivery capabilities.- Developed comprehensive UX guidelines for client projects in the insurance sector, resulting in improved digital experiences and greater customer satisfaction.- Collaborated closely with strategy and creative teams on marketing and advertising campaigns, ensuring cohesive, user-centred experiences that aligned with business objectives and brand strategies.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

- Planned design sprint workshops with various clients and stakeholders, fostering collaborative problem-solving and accelerating product development cycles.- Prototyped and tested digital financial solutions, enhancing user experiences and increasing platform engagement.- Conducted market research and analysis, directly informing product and service development strategies and improving alignment with user needs.- Developed a hybrid online/offline marketing strategy for retailers, increasing loyalty card usage and customer retention.- Created UX strategies for financial products, optimizing user conversion and retention rates by 30%, driving measurable business outcomes for clients.

Western Cape, South Africa

- Successfully financed my Bachelor's studies, graduating with high distinction and top of my class.- Provided exceptional customer service at fast-paced cafés, restaurants, and university events.- Promoted and organized university events, driving attendance and enhancing guest experiences.- Managed high-volume orders, ensuring timely and accurate service in dynamic environments.- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth operations during peak hours.- Developed strong multitasking and time-management skills while balancing work and academic commitments.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Industrial And Product Design, Medical Direction, 1.0 [Summa Cum Laude]

Graduated with Summa Cum Laude (1.0), ranked as the top graduate. Thesis: ImPulse, a 3D-printable simulation training model for pediatric.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Design Thinking & User Experience Design, High Distinction [Magna Cum Laude]

Graduated with Magna Cum Laude, ranked as the top national graduate. Thesis: Untethered, a self-charging lower-limb prosthesis that.