MICHAEL JACOB

With 13+ years in the financial market, I bridge the gap between complex business goals and human needs. I help corporations look beyond spreadsheets to design intuitive, high-quality experiences that turn technical services into meaningful connections.

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Product Strategy & Human-Centered Design

I take end-to-end ownership of complex business segments, bridging the gap between discovery and delivery. By utilizing UX Strategy and Problem Framing, I facilitate cross-functional workshops that align stakeholders and transform technical constraints into intuitive user journeys that drive revenue and retention.

Design Systems & Scalable Systems

I build robust, Scalable Design Systems and high-fidelity interfaces that maintain brand integrity across all touchpoints. My focus on Interaction Design and Design-to-Dev Handoff reduces UI defects and significantly accelerates development cycles, ensuring a seamless transition from concept to code.

Research, Data & Inclusive Insights

I leverage Qualitative User Research and Data Visualization to turn complex financial metrics into actionable insights. By integrating Inclusive Design (WCAG 2.2) and Usability Testing, I ensure products are accessible to all users, mitigating risk and building trust through empathetic, evidence-based solutions.

AI-Augmented Workflow & Brand Strategy

I integrate AI-Enhanced Workflows to automate execution and focus on high-level Brand & Campaign Strategy. This allows for rapid prototyping and consistent, high-impact messaging that goes beyond aesthetics to shift market perceptions and enhance corporate reputation.


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Banco Bradesco
2021 - PRESENT

Senior Product Designer

● Drove user retention within the investment segment by redesigning core navigation flows and the investment portal, contributing to overall user satisfaction and loyalty.

● Reduced cognitive load for investment managers by restructuring complex internal systems, leveraging minimalist UI and clear data visualization to facilitate faster, more confident decision-making.

● Spearheaded end-to-end UX strategy from research to implementation across multiple financial products, directly informing the product roadmap and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

● Implemented a competitor benchmarking framework to identify key market opportunities, informing design decisions that improved product usability and market positioning.

● Advocated for inclusive design practices, ensuring prototypes met accessibility standards and catered to varying levels of financial literacy within the user base.

BANCO FATOR
2012 - 2021

Senior UI/UX Designer & Brand Strategist

● Led the Digital Transformation of Investment Products: Collaborated directly with engineering teams to translate complex financial requirements into intuitive wireframes and prototypes, streamlining the user journey for high-net-worth clients.

● Architected Multi-Channel UI Systems: Developed and maintained visual interfaces across web, mobile, and internal platforms, ensuring a cohesive user experience that reinforced institutional trust.

● Strategic Brand Evolution: Played a key role in the multi-year repositioning of the Banco Fator brand and its subsidiaries, aligning the visual identity with modern digital standards to capture new market segments.

● Information Design & Data Visualization: Directed the design and layout of high-stakes financial reports, magazines, and annual books, transforming dense data into clear, engaging narratives for stakeholders and investors.

● Integrated Creative Direction: Managed end-to-end visual communication for corporate events and marketing initiatives, ensuring brand consistency across both digital and physical touchpoints.

MFLOGIC
2010 - 2012

Art Director

● Strategic Campaign Direction: Led visual execution for integrated online and offline advertising campaigns for global pharmaceutical leaders, including Pfizer, Merck, and Bayer, ensuring brand consistency across highly regulated markets.

● Early Adoption of Product Design: Designed and developed user interfaces for mobile applications and specialized e-learning platforms, supporting the strategic goals of medical and commercial departments.

● Technical Implementation: Bridged the gap between design and code by developing and deploying responsive websites using HTML/CSS, ensuring technical feasibility and pixel-perfect execution.

● Visual Identity & Iconography: Created scalable logos and custom iconography systems for digital products, establishing a strong visual foundation for complex medical software and internal tools.

IBM
2008 - 2010

Web Designer (Global Operations)

● International Product Localization: Managed the development, implementation, and maintenance of IBM’s web ecosystem across the EMEA, US, and Canada regions, ensuring high-performance standards for global traffic.

● Accessibility Pioneer (WCAG): Championed WCAG guidelines at an enterprise level, conducting rigorous audits and implementation to ensure digital inclusivity for one of the world's most complex technical infrastructures.

● Technical Quality Assurance: Executed comprehensive QA testing and frontend development (HTML/CSS), bridging the gap between design vision and technical stability to maintain IBM’s global brand integrity.

EDUCATION

Belas Artes de São Paulo
2019

UX Strategy & Human-Centered Design

Escola Panamericana de Arte e Design
2010

Graphic Design & Visual Communications

Alexandria University, Egypt
2003

Bachelor of Hotel Administration (BHA)


LANGUAGES

PORTUGUESE Native Proficiency

ENGLISH Native Proficiency

ARABIC Native Proficiency

GET IN TOUCH

São Paulo, Brazil (GMT-3)