Niloufar Atapour
Fernie,BC
Summary
Highly motivated and creative researcher with extensive experience in using design thinking approaches and empathy to identify user needs and challenges. Proficient in conducting in-depth user research through interviews, surveys, and observations to gather insights and forms meaningful solutions that improve people's lives.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Executive Assistant to the Vice President
Teck Resources
08.2023 - Current
- Supported the successful execution of departmental initiatives by coordinating resources, tracking progress, and providing regular updates to involved parties.
- Demonstrated adaptability by seamlessly adjusting to shifting priorities while maintaining focus on long-term goals set forth by the Vice President.
- Analyzing feedback surveys from SVPs and VPs
- Drafting brief notes in response to province projects for VPs to input their comments
- Proofreading yearly plans and contracts
- Enabled timely decision-making with accurate record-keeping of meeting minutes, action items, and follow-up tasks.
UX Researcher
Insolent Studio
01.2023 - 07.2023
- Conducted user research, user testing, and analysis to identify user needs and requirements
- Created wire frames, prototypes, and designed solutions that meet user needs and requirements
- Developed user interface designs that are intuitive and user-friendly
- Stayed up-to-date with emerging UX design trends, tools, and techniques.
Design Researcher
City of Hamilton
01.2022 - 09.2022
- Implementing Digital Innovation in Long Term Care Homes
- Facilitated effective communication among project teams and stakeholders to ensure that project goals are achieved
- Conducted in-depth user research through literature reviews and interviewing residents and staff of more than 20 long-term care homes across the Ontario
- Identified unmet needs, pain points, and opportunities in the long-term care system and their impacts on different stakeholders
- Assessed and analyzed 250 personal support workers' needs through design thinking approaches and empathy, and synthesized research findings into actionable insights
- Developed user personas, journey maps, and prototypes using digital and manual design equipment and presented research findings to clients and stakeholders
- Designed an educational mentoring application for personal support workers and improved their experience before and while working in a long term care home.
Design Thinking Fellow
St. Joseph Healthcare Hamilton
10.2021 - 12.2021
- Redesigned visitation experience in the hospital isolation ward for elderly inpatient family members using design thinking methodologies in 8 weeks
- Researched barriers residents faced during their time in the hospital
- Interviewed patient-family advisors (PFA) from St Joseph's Healthcare to build on their knowledge and personal experiences
- Determined impact of isolation on mental and physical health of more than 55 residents
- Designed a user-friendly platform for patients to book 2 hours of pet therapy within the hospital and an improved isolation experience 65% more endurable
- Illustrated human-centered prototypes and storyboards to evaluate our concepts and scenarios.
Researcher
Lighting Star Company
05.2019 - 06.2021
- Conducted user research and created design recommendations for various clients across industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology
- Used understanding and empathy for our target customer by designing and observing user studies and translating research findings into insights
- Assisted in coordinating the planning, direction, and implementation of product improvements
- Collaborated with UX team to create personas, scenarios, user journeys, story maps, and user flows
- Designed various products for customers.
Junior Product Designer
Freelancer
09.2019 - 10.2020
- Brainstormed to determine enhancements and product features
- Contacted proper stakeholders to share ideas and changes to project
- Developed cost-effective prototypes for initial testing and simulation
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems
- Prepared sketches using drafting instruments, paints and brushes or computer-aided design equipment.
Education
Master of Engineering Design -
McMaster University
Bachelor of Industrial Design - undefined
Azad University
Skills
Canva, Miro, Flutter, Unity
Information Visualization Skills
Written and Verbal Communication Skills
Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills
Research and Analyze data
Design Thinking
Human Centered Design
Ms Office
Creative Problem Solver
Document Preparation
Executive Support
Human Centered Design
Volunteer Experience
- Volunteer, The city of Toronto, 03/2020 - Present, Social media Coordinator
- SWET ( society of women engineers Toronto), 06/2022 - Present
Projects
- Let's Fly Together, We conducted a research project with McMaster University's Student Wellness Center to support female international students to feel educated, supported and united on a reproductive health matters. Our team designed a short course about sexual health and an art therapy session to help women open-up and deal with what they have experienced.
- Beyond Care, My team organized a research project partnered with the city of Hamilton to identify Ontario's long-term care challenges and needs. After conducting interviews and gaining a deeper understanding of personal support workers' roles, we developed a mentoring application focusing on PSW's education and training before and while working in a LTC home.
- Comfort Zone, Our team designed an app for newcomers who feel lonely and confused after arriving in Canada to explore the city they are in and find friends through the prompts suggested by the app and other users
Certification
Digital & Social Media Marketing Fundamentals Digital Marketing Academy of Canada
Timeline
Executive Assistant to the Vice President
Teck Resources
08.2023 - Current
UX Researcher
Insolent Studio
01.2023 - 07.2023
Design Researcher
City of Hamilton
01.2022 - 09.2022
Design Thinking Fellow
St. Joseph Healthcare Hamilton
10.2021 - 12.2021
Junior Product Designer
Freelancer
09.2019 - 10.2020
Researcher
Lighting Star Company
05.2019 - 06.2021
Master of Engineering Design -
McMaster University
Bachelor of Industrial Design - undefined
Azad University