👋 Hi, I'm Maya Benari.🌴 As a Los Angeles native with a passion for accessible, human-centered design, I specialize in building large-scale design systems and nurturing inclusive design cultures that prioritize usability and accessibility.🧰 With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of design and development, I’ve led transformative projects across both private and public sectors. A key milestone in my career was my work on the U.S. Web Design System, where I served as a core team member, lead front-end designer, and product manager. I helped scale the system from a foundational UI library into a dynamic, extensible design ecosystem supporting hundreds of federal agencies with diverse branding needs.💪 As a systems thinker, I focus on bridging design and development, driving collaboration that leads to scalable, high-impact solutions. I’m passionate about building modular, future-proof systems that streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and enable teams to innovate confidently. I focus on creating systems that allow teams to move quickly and sustainably, without sacrificing quality or user experience.Key areas of expertise:• Leadership in scalable design systems: I design and maintain adaptable, large-scale systems that serve diverse products, balancing consistency with flexibility.• User-centered product design: I prioritize research and strategic UX practices to create intuitive, accessible products that meet real user needs.• Cross-functional collaboration: I drive clear communication between design and engineering teams, ensuring alignment from concept to execution.• Design and development integration: I work closely with teams to ensure design systems are implemented seamlessly, enhancing efficiency and coherence.• Expertise with industry tools and standards: I bring expertise in Figma, Storybook, Chromatic, HTML, CSS/Sass, and WCAG 2.1, ensuring smooth team collaboration and inclusive digital experiences.🎤 I’ve spoken at conferences, podcasts, and webinars, including:• Clarity Conference• NASA Demo Day• The Big Web Show• Shop Talk Show• U.S. Web Design System Monthly• Style Guide Podcast📚 I’ve been published by Smashing Magazine and featured as a key voice in net magazine. I was also spotlighted in an O'Reilly Media book on thoughtful, ethical design.🏔 Outside of work, I enjoy nature walks, playing drums, and exploring the art scene.🎓 I hold a Bachelor of Science in Art History from UCLA, with coursework in Design Media Arts.
Listed skills include Adobe Creative Suite, User Experience, Graphic Design, Web Design, and 22 others.
