Natalie Varela

UX Designer

Every frame here holdsa piece of my heart

I design with cognitive science to make product experiences feel human.

AI Support Chatbot
Voicemail Campaign Assistant
Clari · Health app
Jimoto · Travel App
See my work

Selected work

The Hanger shopping site with the SIMON chat button open in the corner
AI support chatbot

Shipped an AI assistant that gets users to answers, and to a human, faster

As the UX designer, I owned this chatbot's UX and UI from brief to launch, across 3 iterations and 17 screens. It’s live in production today.
AI product
Conversational UX
Shipped
Gabriel AI campaign scheduling screens on desktop and tablet
Ai Assisted Campaign workflow

Simplified AI voicemail campaigns so users launch with confidence

I redesigned the campaign flow, tested it with 10 users, and led the rebrand and landing page. This product reached #9 Product of the Day on Product Hunt.
AI product
Usability testing
Launched
Clari on three phones: a lock-screen exposure alert and the Potential Exposure screen with a map, tips and things to avoid
Clari · UCSD Design Lab

Made emergency and everyday crisis resources easier to find

As UX designer and researcher on a UCSD Design Lab team, I designed Clari’s map interface, shaped by 27 interviews and 12 usability testers.
UX research
Map interface
Health app
Jimoto travel app screens: local matches, a destination and a trip plan
Startup Studio · Travel app

Took travel planning beyond tourist hotspots to real local experiences

Jimoto pairs travelers with locals. After our team’s tested MVP won a UCSD Catalyst Award (1 of 4 teams selected from 12), I led a solo 2.0 redesign of the traveler side.
Startup
A/B testing
Award winner

Why work with me

The strengths I bring to every team

Visual & UI design

I combine visual hierarchy, interaction details, and usability to create beautiful, intuitive products.

Driven by empathy

I put myself in others’ shoes using user research methods to uncover frustrations and people’s needs.

Wears many hats

I move between research, UX, UI, and prototyping, taking ownership as project needs evolve.

Curious before I create

I look under the surface to uncover problems, align user needs with business goals, and create solutions.

Leverages AI tools

I use ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Lovable to explore ideas, accelerate iteration, and keep users centered.

A collaborative mindset

I invite feedback, communicate design decisions, and work across disciplines to progress solutions.