KOFI ASSOKU

As a user experience designer, I have a passion for understanding people's needs and crafting solutions that meet those needs in intuitive and elegant ways. My approach to design is grounded in empathy, research, and collaboration, and I am constantly seeking to learn and improve my skills. I have experience in user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing, and I am comfortable working with a variety of design tools and software. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy working on complex problems that require creative solutions. Ultimately, my goal as a designer is to create products that are not only functional and efficient but also delightful to use and enhance the lives of their users.

UX Design Experience - Pathways to Housing  August 2022  

Before

• - The shelter was baron and had not been remodeled ever since being built
• - The individuals who lived in the shelter came from various backgrounds, all in Newark. Many came in from the streets and are often were uninspired

What I did

• -Researched voices of Newark (Writers, Activists, ) to create affirmations with a common design language of "rising up."
• With this design language in mind, we incorporated design elements such as roots and trees to bring an aspect of outside, inside, and put these elements together to create a mural for a homeless shelter.
• Conducted interviews and worked closely with facility leaders to ensure that the murals were appropriate for the shelter at every step of the way.
• Successfully created inspiring, educational, and inviting murals that aligned with the needs and desires of the shelter's residents.

After

• The facility leaders and individuals of the shelter were extremely satisfied and grateful for this project. The kids of the shelter were visibly joyful as they couldn't keep their hands off the walls.

UX Design Experience - Nimrod; A Reimagination of Capitalism 

January 2023 

Before 

• Recognized negative aspects of capitalism by researching supporting data as well speaking directly
• to underserved communities in Newark.
• A common theme that was identified was often worker exploitation and profit inequality
• Saw an opportunity to utilize existing technology to address these issues

What I did:

• Create a community app where I looked to reimaging our capitalistic structure by utilizing existing technologies such as “Uber” and “Instacart” but instead of a handful of shareholders the profit would go towards the community.
• Conducted research on how my immediate community as well as the nation could benefit from the app
• Used online and personal data to inform decision-making
• Wireframing and Prototyping of app on Adobe XD

After:

• Developed an app for communities where they would be able to benefit from their fruits of their labor
• Created a model for technology-driven profit-sharing
• Reimagine a system that was a more equitable economic structure than our current - empowering individuals to live in a new system where there is abundance rather than scarcity

UX Design Experience - My Best Bud

January 2023 

Before

• 21+ year old college students who were buying from individuals rather than dispensary
• Having to drive to locations they were not familiar with in order to buy
• Coming into contact with various people they did not know
• No knowledge of what they were putting into their body or where it was cultivated
• Having to pay exuberant prices they had no basis other than what the seller felt
• Sellers not being available to buyers
• Risking involvement with law enforcement

What I did

• Create a delivery app which allows the user to pick and choose from various dispensaries
• Researching which dispensaries were state certified and had a history of good standing with customers
• Various strains as well as information as to what is inside and how it was cultivated - provided by the dispensary
• Identification feature so those under 21 can not utilize app
• Delivery tracker on app to see where driver is (only gives general location to protect driver )
• Access to discounted prices that dispensaries usually offer as well as deals
• Legal pathway to obtain safe marijuana
• Wireframing and Prototyping of app on Adobe XD

After

• Posted mockups of app all over campus with a captcha sign up form and received 150+ interested individuals within a week