Alisha Valliani
Senior UX Designer
about
Hi, I'm Alisha! I’m a Senior UX designer based in Chicago with a background in cognitive science and computer programming. I have four years of experience in enterprise design, focusing on improving internal tools and systems. I specialize in transforming complex workflows into streamlined or automated solutions that support both user needs and business goals.
experience
Senior UX Designer
Heritage Auctions | 2025 – Present
As a Senior UX Designer at Heritage Auctions, I collaborate with and support other designers across projects, offering strategic input, design feedback, and system-level guidance to strengthen our collective work. I champion the our Design System by streamlining components, auditing usage, introducing design tokens, and continuously improving its usability. My focus is on scaling our design practice—building tools, standards, and workflows that enable more efficient, consistent, and high-quality design across the organization.
UX Designer
Heritage Auctions | 2021 - 2024
As a UX Designer at Heritage Auctions, I led end-to-end design initiatives to improve internal processes and workflows across departments. I conducted user interviews, mapped complex systems, and designed scalable solutions within our internal application, Nexus. I built and maintained the Nexus Design System (including a mobile counterpart), ensuring consistency and efficiency across teams. My work supported major platform migrations, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, and helped internal teams operate more effectively through streamlined tools and well-structured design standards.
UX Design Intern
NextBest | 2020 - 2021
As a UX Design Intern at NextBest, I conducted targeted user research to conceptualize new product features that enabled the marketplace to expand into five additional cities. I redesigned the company’s homepage, navigation menus, and hero banner to improve user acquisition, drive engagement, and align with SEO best practices. I led contextual inquiries that revealed key pain points in the site’s responsiveness, which informed a mobile site redesign that significantly improved usability and overall experience. To guide the design process, I developed user personas, scenarios, journey maps, and storyboards. I also contributed to a mobile app design sprint focused on a target user base of 10,000 users.
Web Design Intern
North Dallas Dementia Clinic | 2019 - 2020
I designed a website to outline services, offer online scheduling, and improve access to information for users. I addressed digital literacy challenges among the target audience, which helped increase the company’s online reach.
featured projects
education
Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science
University of California, Los Angeles | 2018 - 2021 Minor in Computer Programming
Service Design: Designing Integrated Experiences
Interaction Design Foundation | 2024
Agile Methods for UX Design
Interaction Design Foundation | 2022
UX Design Professional Certificate
Google via Coursera | 2021
Passion Projects
The ArtSysters
In 2020, my sister and I launched a digital art fundraiser to support the Equal Justice Initiative, ultimately raising over $9,000 and surpassing our original goals. Inspired by the response, we transformed our passion project into a creative venture, where we offered personalized digital art, mugs, and stickers.
Sweet Moments
I’ve always loved baking—so much that my household was constantly on a sugar high. To channel my passion more positively, I started baking desserts for friends’ and family’s special events. Over time, this turned into a small business, and I discovered the joy of making life’s meaningful moments a little sweeter.
skills
Design Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure, Webflow
Design Skills & Methods: Design Systems / Component Libraries, Usability Testing, A/B Testing, Design Thinking, User Research, Persona Development, Journey Mapping / User Flows, Heuristic Evaluation, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Graphic Design, Information Architecture, Wireframing, Low-fidelity Prototyping, High-fidelity Prototyping, Accessibility Design (a11y)
Technical Skills: C++, Python, Azure Analytics