I am a Usability & User Experience Engineer. Writer. Prototyper. Design Thinker.

Hi there!

My name is Miriam Gaissmaier.

Check out what I do
About

About me

Human Computer Interaction Designer (M.Sc.) & Technical Communicator (B.Eng.) with a heart for UX and Innovation.

From digital to physical, from strategy to tiny interface details, from the product to the content.

logically minded // creative at heart

Hi! I am a recent HCI graduate trained in applying user-centered design, problem-solving and usability methods to take ideas from concepts to prototypes to innovative business solutions that customers are happy to use. From a holistic service design process to pixel-perfect interface details I am confident with the whole UX process and various design tools and methods.

Thanks to my technical writing background I can communicate in a concise and effective way. With three years experience as a tech writer and project lead I am familiar in both global industry and agency environments.

Bringing a sound and unique skillset I am ready to create delightful UX in a strong and creative workplace.

Interested? I would love to hear from you.

Best,

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Check out my portfolio
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Skills

My Skills

Full Stack Designer & UX Unicorn ;)

I have a sound conceptional and creative skill set covering the whole UX process and I am familiar with common methods such as Design Thinking, User Centered Design and Lean UX. With my technical communications background I can effectively write, communicate and structure content.

Strategy & User Research

    " Before proceeding to designing, it is essential to go into the world and meet with users to understand their behavior, motivations and goals as well as aligning with the stakeholder's business requirements. Through my minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship I also know about the broader business scope of a product or service. I am capable of creating unique value propositions for the customers and bringing solutions to the market along the whole business development process. "

    Interviews, Observations, Environment and Task Analysis Personas, Storyboard, Customer Journey Maps, Business Model Canvas

    Prototyping

    • Balsamiq
    • Adobe XD
    • Axure
    • Sketch

    " A prototype is a designer's best friend. I love quickly sketching rough concepts as well simulating high fidelity user interfaces. The goal is always avoiding bad customer experiences before developing the final product. During my master studies I learned the different tools and what to consider for each of the prototyping stages, be it just on paper or an interactive UI close to the final product. "

    Paper, Sketches, Wireframes, Visual Mockups, Low and High Fidelity

    Information Architecture

    • Online Whiteboards
    • Microsoft Visio
    • R
    • Tableau

    " A well thought out Information Architecture is the backbone for efficient UX. Structuring any content in a easy-to-find, clear and logical manner is essential for a high quality deliverable. Thanks to my technical writing background I am skilled in organizing and prioritizing any content considering the context of use. One of my passions is Data Visualization. I enjoy finding the 100% right visualization for any data set and thus enabling a valuable data interpretation. "

    Navigation Maps, Click Streams, Taxonomies, Information Design, Card Sorting, Data Visualization

    Usability Testing and Evaluation

    • Tobii Pro Studio
    • System Usability Scale
    • User Experience Questionnaire

    " Testing with real users is crucial to discover problems, obstacles and gain insights and reactions that you haven't thought about before. I am very confident in leading usability tests, always making sure the test participants feel comfortable. Collecting any quantitative and qualitative data before, during and after the test, is as important for me as analysing them and reporting the findings and eventually give recommendations what to learn from the test and how the product can be improved according to the users' opinion. "

    A/B Testing, Eyetracking, Heuristic Evaluation, Cognitive Walkthrough, Usability Metrics, Data Analysis and Reporting

    Design

    • Adobe Photoshop
    • Adobe Illustrator
    • Adobe Indesign

    " The heart of the whole UX process for me is designing the actual product. Simplicity, Aesthetics and above all Usefullnes are my major principles, when designing visual and interaction concepts. Having the right sense for typography, icons or visual language to craft good compositions should be in my opinion a core skill of every designer. "

    Interaction Design, Visual Design, Web Design

    Content Strategy and Writing

    • Schema ST4, cosima go!, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe RoboHelp, Adobe Captivate

    " What is the best user interface without meaningful, well thought out content that - in the best case - engages and supports the user? Thanks to my technical writing education and work experience one of my core skills is communicating any content in a clear and concise way. "

    Technical Writing, UX Writing, Content Management Systems, Mobile Documentation, Instructional Design

    Front End Development

    • Android Studio
    • R Studio

    " In my university courses Software Development, Programming User Interfaces and Developing Mobile Applications I acquired basic knowledge of coding and frontend development. Speaking the same language with developers is essential for a designer to understand the system and its capabilities and then find the right solution. "

    HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, R, Arduino, VBA

    My Additional Skills and Tools

    • Adobe Premiere
    • Adobe AfterEffects
    • AutoCAD
    • Cinema 4D
    • SAP ERP
    • Siemens PLM Teamcenter
    • Jira

    " During my bachelor studies I had the chance to acquire skills in video production, CAD construction and 3D animation. In my time at Bosch I was able to learn SAP ERP for example when editing spare part BOMs. We used Siemens PLM to view the CAD drawings from the product for global support tasks. In our project team we used Jira to keep track of all tasks and responsibilities. "

    Video Production, 3D Animation, CAD, Business software
    CV

    My Experience

    I have both industry and agency experience. I am experienced in dealing with external stakeholders such as clients and OEM suppliers as well as internal stakeholders such as Developers, Project Managers or Quality Management.

    ATOSS Software AG, Munich

    09/2019 - present

    Associate Product Manager Usability & User Experience

    ATOSS is Europe's #1 software provider for workforce management solutions.
    Within the product management team I focus on tasks like
    • drafting wireframes, mockups and prototypes of different fidelities (paper, Sketch, ProtoPie)
    • planning, organizing, conducting and evaluating prototype tests with clients
    • writing and handing over design specifications of software featues including UI elements and texts to development
    • implementing a design system for existing UI elements to ensure high-quality documentation, reuse and collaboration

    BORIS Design Studio, Stockholm

    11/2018 - 06/2019

    Design Intern / Master Thesis Student

    Boris is a product, research and identity design consultancy.
    For my master thesis in the "Safe IoT" for a safer steel industry I focused on the discovery of smart textiles and protection gear and how to use them as personal alert systems. My main tasks therefore included:
    • Organization and Preparation of prototyping workshops and user tests
    • Qualitative Research, Synthesis and Analysis of insights
    • Applying various design methods in an iterative process

    Vipera Plc, Madrid

    02 - 06/2018

    UI/UX Development Intern

    Vipera Plc provides mobile financial and payment solutions.
    I was assigned to a Mobile Banking App project for a Dubai based bank. My main tasks included:
    • Frontend Development
    • Usability and Automation Testing: user tests, functional tests, writing automation scripts
    • UX Analysis and Optimization: navigation, user journey, visual design

    BSH Home Appliances Group, Munich

    03/2016 - 08/2017

    Documentation and Training Specialist, Customer Service Technology

    BSH Home Appliances is the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and a subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH.
    My main tasks were ensuring the knowledge transfer to service technicians including
    • creation and global coordination of service documentation (repair manuals and videos, sparepart leaflets, troubleshooting guides)
    • conception and creation of Web Based Trainings and conduction of international product and basic trainings
    • third level support (answering technicians' requests) and coordination with factories and quality management in case of technical problems in the field, coordination of recall actions

    Besides I was Customer Service representative in appliance development projects including these responsibilties
    • involvement in OEM projects ensuring repair friendliness and service quality of the appliances
    • handling and coordination of Engineering Change Orders (ECO)
    • contribution to the development of new repair kits and diagnostics procedures

    Apart from that,  I held the following special roles and tasks
    • Keyuser Content Management System
    • Product Expert in the project "3D Visualizations in Customer Service"
    • Co-Project leader in the project "Interactive Manual Customer Service": rollout and training concept, coordination of business demands

    BMW Group, Munich

    10/2015 - 02/2016

    Bachelor Student, Logistics planning - Project Innovation and Industry 4.0

    The practical part of my bachelor thesis took place at BMW Group, an automobile manufacturer from Germany. My task was to scout, validate and evaluate possible innovations for the logictics planning department. Therefore the process, scientifically documented in the bachelor thesis, consisted of
    • development of an innovation portfolio
    • decsription of the innovation including potentials, costs, application examples, state of the art
    • development of a process model for the evaluation and prioritization of the innovations
    • conduction and evaluation of user interviews with internal technical experts
    • conduction of a multi-level prioritization process
    • recommendations for most potenial innovations
    • result presentation to the project board
     

    BSH Home Appliances Group, Munich

    06-09/2015, 08-12/2014

    Intern & Working Student, Customer Service Technology

    I created repair manuals and videos as well as Web Based Trainings for service technicians. I conceptualized and designed templates for video storyboards and spare part installation leaflets. Moreover I helped to implement Customer Service requirements into the product development process.

    docs4use, Zangberg

    02/2013-07/2014

    Technical Writing Working Student

    docs4use is a full service agency for technical documentation. My tasks consisted of research, conception and creation of technical documentation for different clients from different industries (Software, Medical and Mechanical Engineering), e.g. a troubleshooting guide for a Computer Tomography Software. I also created technical illustrations and an editorial guideline for other technical writers.

    GoodTaste International Trading, Seville

    06-09/2012

    Online Marketing Intern

    GoodTaste International Trading is an export company of Iberian products, especially wine and olive oil. My tasks consisted of community management, advertising research, statistical evaluation and  customer acquisition for the Region Asia as well as designing marketing campaigns and email newsletters.

    Krones AG, Freising

    04-05/2012

    Pre-study industrial intern

    Krones is a packaging and bottling machine manufacturer from Germany. To be accepted into the study programme, an industrial internship was required. I learned different manufacturing methods such as filing, drilling, milling, thread cutting, welding and laser cutting. Besides I was responsible for checking incoming goods and parts for quality and function.

    My studies

    My Education

    I have a Bachelor of Engineering in Technical Writing and Communications and received the Oskar von Miller-Award for my excellent final degree and social engagement at the university. I also studied abroad in the States for a semester, which was one of the best experiences in my life. I just finished a double degree master in Human Computer Interaction and Design at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm via the EIT Digital Master School framework. This master combines a technical major with 30 ECTS in innovation and entrepreneurship. Part of the master programme is also a two weeks summer school, where students develop, iterate and pitch their own business ideas. I took part in the summer school on "Personalised mobility solutions for digital cities" at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia.

    • Human Computer Interaction and Design (M.Sc.), KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm

    • Human Computer Interaction and Design (M.Sc.), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

    • Technical Writing and Communications (B.Eng.), University of Applied Sciences Munich

    • Exchange Semester, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI, USA

    • Service Design
    • Developing Mobile Applications
    • Physical Interaction Design and Realization
    • Research Methodology and Scientific Writing
    • ICT Innovation Project
    • Swedish

    Human Computer Interaction and Design (M.Sc.), KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm

    08/2018 - 06/2019
    final grade: A
    Specialization in Mobile and Ubiquitous Interaction

    EIT Digital Master School Scholarship

    Master Thesis: "Boosting Workplace Safety with Interactive Textiles" (Grade A)

    local leader for Women@EIT

    trumpet player in the university orchestra "Promenadorquestern och med Baletten Paletten", organized a 10days orchestra tour through Germany as a travel manager

     

    • User Experience & Mobile Interaction
    • Design Methods for HCI
    • Programming User Interfaces
    • Evaluation of Interactive Systems
    • Embedded Systems
    • Data Mining
    • Information Visualization
    • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management
    • Business Development Lab

    Human Computer Interaction and Design (M.Sc.), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

    09/2017 - 06/2018
    Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

    EIT Digital Master School Scholarship

    • Usability: User Centered Design, Usability Testing
    • Visualization: 3D Animation, Technical Illustrations, Product Photography, Video Production, Instructional films
    • Engineering: Mechanics, CAD Design, Measurement and Control Technology, Product Lifecycle
    • IT: Principles of Communication and Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Software Development
    • Linguistics and Communication: Technical and Science Writing, Technical Documentation methods, processes and didactics, Journalistic text production, Public Relations
    • Media: E-Learning, Social Media, Content Management Systems

    Technical Writing and Communications (B.Eng.), University of Applied Sciences Munich

    10/2012 - 02/2016
    final grade 1.3 (german grading system)

    Bachelor thesis: "Innovations in the Automotive Logistics by using Methods of Technical Communications" (1.0)

    Focus on usability and visualizations

    finance officer in the student representative council

    Oskar von Miller-Award for excellent final degree and social engagement at the university , issued to five selected students university-wide

     

    • Usability Design and Testing
    • Visualization and 3D Animation
    • Digital Storytelling
    • Transnational Communications
    • Writing Technical Manuals
    • Jazz Orchestra

    Exchange Semester, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI, USA

    01 - 05/2015
    Professional Communication and Emerging Media (B.Sc.)
    GPA 3,924

    Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

    PROMOS Scholarship by German Academic Exchange DAAD included a monthly grant and mobility support

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