Karla Santamaria

Design Researcher

I turn mixed-method research into clear insights that drive product and service decisions.

5+ years experience working in the civic, health, ed-tech and non-profit sectors

Trusted by leading organizations

Selected Works

ERbuddy

User Testing

Advanced Prototyping

0-1 Development

Client Management

Created a digital health solution that bridges PCP-specialist gaps, improving efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes.

ERbuddy

Tag

Created a digital health solution that bridges PCP-specialist gaps, improving efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes.

Gutenberg Technolgies

Eye-Tracking

Mixed Methods

Enterprise CMS

Client Management

Usability Testing

Imposed stronger visual hierarchy and strengthened feature discoverability, informed by eye-tracking user testing and mixed-method data analysis to support scalable content creation.

Gutenberg Technolgies

Tag

Imposed stronger visual hierarchy and strengthened feature discoverability, informed by eye-tracking user testing and mixed-method data analysis to support scalable content creation.

Golden Boots Uganda

Website Redesign

Moderated User Testing

Information Architecture

Accessibility

Client Management

Lead moderated usability testing to evaluate and enhance GBU's website, resulting in clearer mission communication, stronger engagement, and a more confident, accessible donation flow.

Golden Boots Uganda

Tag

Lead moderated usability testing to evaluate and enhance GBU's website, resulting in clearer mission communication, stronger engagement, and a more confident, accessible donation flow.

Pride Family

0-1 Development

User Testing

Website Design

Design System

Cross Team Collaboration

Designed a website to connect disenfranchised Queer individuals with accepting families. Created Design System, led User Testing, and collaborated with cross-functional teams.

✦ SUM25 DFG Fellowship Award Winner

✦ Delivered Technical Presentation to Professionals at Bloomberg, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Cisco

Attune

Tag

A truly versatile plugin that supports clinicians with being more emotionally intelligent responders.

From foundations to future exploration . . .

Read my reports, blogs, and pitch decks to learn more about my work on topics such as AI vibe coding, emotional and speculative design methods, how I approach design challenges, heuristic evaluations, design critiques, and more.

Service Design Report

Heuristic Evaluation Report

Emotional Design Methods

Unmoderated User Testing

Amazon Music Challenge

Design Critique

Let's chat!

kgsant11@gmail.com

linkedin.com/karlasantamaria

Hi there! Welcome to my portfolio. It's so nice to meet you. I'm an interdisciplinary design researcher with a background in Cognitive Neuroscience, Sociology, and Music.

I have 5+ years experience working in the civic, health, ed-tech and non-profit sectors and I have a master's in Human-Computer Interaction from Pratt Institute in NYC!

Originally from the Bay Area, CA and with roots in Latin America, I believe in working alongside diverse communities with a commitment to bridge the gap between complex institutions and the people they are built to serve.

If you’re enjoying what you see, I’d love to connect and chat!

Warm regards,

Karla Santamaria