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)