About me
Hello, I am Begüm. I've been working for 9+ years with an experience design & strategy focus, pursuing human-centric excellence across products, services and digital solutions. I work in a research-led, data-informed way, and I've collaborated with start-ups, well-known brands and agencies to turn insight into thoughtful, lasting products.
Who am I?, in words
I have a bachelor's degree in Product Design, and I continued my professional life specialising in digital products and experiences. After some exciting projects in Istanbul, I moved to Brussels and earned my master's in Media & Information Design.
Projects, expectations and business objectives always change; my strong side is discovering the present and building the future through it. I start with research and analysis, then define the needs and the roadmap based on the insights, insights that may touch products, services, interactions, experience strategies, or new technology adaptation. Beyond fundamentals like problem solving, analytical thinking and creative practice, I prefer not to limit my abilities and try to grow together with the project.
Working on human behaviour is what excites me most about my profession, it's what excited me from the very beginning. I read, I listened, I practised to be better, and I'll keep doing all of it. I love working with people from other disciplines; I believe great, sustainable products are powered by good teamwork, and shared perspectives open the door to brand-new ones.
Alongside being inspired by visual arts professionally, I'm personally drawn to photography and video. I've been practising photography myself and have collaborated with artists on their projects and exhibitions; my interest continues with a personal documentary focus, and I keep exploring videography. And, as you can probably tell, I also love expressing myself in words.
Who am I?, as a list
Work experience
Experience & interface design, research projects (expert reviews, concept & user testing, new product development, etc.), concept development, ideation & experience design strategy, service design, journey mapping, AI-assisted design workflows (vibe design / vibe coding) and prototyping with Claude Code.
Strategy, design & growth (with roadmap issues, CRO focus and expansions for 10+ countries) for an e-commerce platform for client project.
Concept building, research & experience design phases of digital products; experience design & strategy consultancy for product development projects.
Building & managing the user experience of all the digital channels of one of the leading airline companies; experience design & strategy of the digital platform of an international insurance client project; internal support and responsibilities within the design team for design-thinking trainings, workshop preparation & facilitation, user-testing preparation & monitoring, design process studies, mentoring.
API management features & services for businesses to improve internal processes (B2B), API marketplace for B2B & B2C.
Building the client project platform for bringing life coaches, dietitians, fitness & pilates experts together with individuals aiming for a healthier and active life.
Building a pioneer sports management software with essential managerial functions (like CRM, event management, medical records) and social media; transforming real-life operations into the Tournament app, built from scratch with all the functions needed for national & international tournaments.
Education
Master project & dissertation: "Alive Interaction Design through Body Movements."
Internships at Arçelik (refrigerator factory), Başak Atalay Design Office, and Paşabahçe (glass products factory).
Certifications & professional development
Courses passed: Product and UX: Building Partnerships for Better Outcomes; Design Tradeoffs and UX Decision Frameworks; Managing User Experience Strategy; New UX Managers; Customer Journey Management.
Enterprise Design Thinking concepts and activities to design responsible artificial intelligence systems with intention and a focus on people.
IBM's approach to applying design thinking at the speed and scale a modern enterprise demands.
A training camp combining theory and practice. Project: "Kuryem App", with team members and Salyangoz software company, a digital product connecting motorcycle courier companies with customers.
A full-weekend workshop focused on user experience and usability. Project: "WordTaboo", a web product that helps people learn a foreign language through different methods.