ELIJAH RICAFORTE
Summary
As a product designer, I focus on specializing in AI-driven interfaces that enhance user experiences. I founded and developed an AI-powered mobile wellness platform focused on accessibility and quality interface. I am proficient in wireframing, rapid prototyping, and utilizing Figma to deliver impactful solutions.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
AI Evaluation Specialist
Handshake
11.2025 - Current
- Evaluated AI outputs for quality, coherence, and prompt alignment, improving model performance and user-facing quality through usability testing.
- Identified recurring failure patterns and inconsistencies across variants, enhancing AI model refinement.
- Delivered structured feedback to enhance usability and consistency of generated outputs, impacting overall user experience.
- Applied design and media literacy skills to evaluate tone, brand safety, and audience alignment in AI-generated content.
Founder & Mobile Product Designer
Mendful Mind (USC-Funded)
Los Angeles, California
10.2025 - Current
- Founded and led development of a mobile wellness platform delivering accessible mental-health resources and habit-tracking tools for underserved communities, adhering to accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
- Manage full product lifecycle including user research, feature planning, interaction design, and usability testing.
- Secured funding and institutional support from USC to design and prototype app with Figma and no/low-code mobile tools, enabling user testing and feedback integration.
- Developed AI-assisted workflows and content systems, enhancing scalable resource delivery and personalizing user experiences.
- Collaborate with student developers and cross-functional contributors to prepare the product for testing and future deployment.
- Documented design decisions and rationales, facilitating cross-functional team collaboration and ensuring alignment on project goals.
- Integrated AI-generated design elements into cohesive user experiences within the platform.
AI Writing Evaluator
Outlier
05.2024 - Current
- Evaluated accuracy and quality of text from Outlier AI models through A/B testing, aligning outputs with project goals and refining training data based on user feedback.
- Created original responses to various prompts, enhancing AI model learning and improving response quality and diversity.
- Evaluated educational programs to ensure alignment with industry standards.
- Analyzed student feedback to identify areas for program improvement.
- Collaborated with faculty to enhance curriculum effectiveness and relevance.
Design & Research Contributor
TurnUp Activism
Remote, CA
04.2022 - 12.2024
- Researched media literacy, digital engagement, and communication strategies to inform campaign development.
- Applied accessibility standards and inclusive design principles in campaign materials, broadening audience reach.
- Designed branded visual materials and UX-informed content for advocacy campaigns using a user-centered design approach.
- Developed graphics, reports, and presentation materials that enhanced outreach and education initiatives.
Visual Motion Design Associate
Sphere Entertainment Co.
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Created and optimized 3D digital concept art for Sphere Vegas exterior visuals, improving the project's visual appeal and branding consistency.
- Designed graphic and print materials for branding and social media, enhancing Sphere Entertainment's campaigns with engaging visual content.
- Collaborated with student associates across departments in NYC and LA, securing victory in an Artificial Intelligence-based Shark Tank pitch through effective teamwork in a high-pressure environment.
Marketing Intern
Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Enhanced website content, curated social media posts, and applied data analytics to boost audience engagement for non-profit marketing efforts.
- Analyzed monthly data analytics and engagement trends on Facebook to optimize content strategies for better audience targeting.
- Crafted engaging copy for Facebook promotions to capture audience attention.
- Collaborated with developers to implement JavaScript enhancements, improving website interactivity and user engagement.
Social Media Management Intern
Culture Craft By Imani
11.2022 - 01.2023
- Prepared and scheduled social media posts across multiple platforms, enhancing audience engagement through effective communication strategies.
- Wrote engaging copy for social media promotions based on user research and branding strategy, boosting brand visibility and follower growth.
- Supported team in planning and executing cultural events and workshops.
- Coordinated logistics for community outreach initiatives and cultural programs.
- Assisted in developing marketing materials to promote events and programs.
Education
Master of Science - Digital Social Media
University of Southern California (USC)
Los Angeles, CA07-2026
Bachelor of Science - Graphic Information Technology (User Experience)
Arizona State University
12-2024
Skills
- AI prompt engineering
- AI output evaluation
- User data analysis
- User research and A/B testing
- Usability testing
- Accessibility standards (WCAG)
- Figma and Adobe
- HTML/CSS front-end development
- FlutterFlow development
- Product and interactive design
- Rapid prototyping
- Mobile-first design
- Stakeholder feedback analysis
- Prototype workflows
Awards
- Kaleigh Finnie Mental Health Scholarship, USC Annenberg School of Communication, Spring 2026
- Communication School Graduate Scholarship, USC Annenberg School of Communication, 03/01/25
- Fall 2024 UGES Dean's List, Arizona State University, 01/01/25
- Spotlight Award, TurnUp Activism, 12/01/24
- Impact Award, TurnUp Activism, 09/01/24
- Winning Group, Artificial Intelligence, Madison Square Garden Shark Tank, Madison Square Garden Corp, 08/01/23
- Honors Scholarship, APU Honors College, 08/01/18
Timeline
AI Evaluation Specialist
Handshake
11.2025 - Current
Founder & Mobile Product Designer
Mendful Mind (USC-Funded)
10.2025 - Current
AI Writing Evaluator
Outlier
05.2024 - Current
Visual Motion Design Associate
Sphere Entertainment Co.
05.2023 - 08.2023
Marketing Intern
Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
01.2023 - 05.2023
Social Media Management Intern
Culture Craft By Imani
11.2022 - 01.2023
Design & Research Contributor
TurnUp Activism
04.2022 - 12.2024
Master of Science - Digital Social Media
University of Southern California (USC)
Bachelor of Science - Graphic Information Technology (User Experience)
Arizona State University