Marco Versfeld is a senior UX/UI designer with 22 years experience integrating graphic design, digital media, and research through design.
Q&A
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My process is rooted in a blend of research, collaboration, and iteration:
Discover: Conduct user research and gather stakeholder input to define the problem.
Define: Develop personas, journey maps, and user flows to align on user needs.
Design: Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using tools like Figma.
Test: Validate designs through usability testing and incorporate feedback.
Deliver: Collaborate with developers to ensure designs are implemented accurately.
This iterative process ensures the end product meets user needs while aligning with business goals.
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Accessibility is a cornerstone of my practice. I design with WCAG AAA and ADA compliance in mind, ensuring digital experiences are inclusive for users with diverse abilities. From contrast checks to keyboard navigation, accessibility considerations are built into every stage of the design process.
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I’ve studied neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) under a certified life coach, which has enhanced my observational skills during qualitative user research. This has allowed me to uncover subtle user behaviour patterns in usability sessions, leading to significant product pivots and measurable ROI for my clients.
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Yes, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a National Diploma in Digital Media Design from McKenzie College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I also hold a Bachelor of Visual Art Honours degree from the University of South Africa. Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
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Yes, I’ve worked in both digital media and advertising agencies, including stints in Calgary, Canada, and South Africa. These experiences taught me how to deliver creative solutions under tight deadlines. My longest tenures, however, have been in SaaS development firms, where I’ve focused on digital product design.
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I prioritise open communication and iterative collaboration. This includes facilitating workshops, conducting sprint reviews, and using tools like Figma for transparent, real-time feedback. My experience working with global teams has honed my ability to manage cross-cultural collaborations effectively.
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I specialise in creating human-centred digital products, particularly in the SaaS and FinTech sectors. My expertise spans designing intuitive interfaces for web and mobile apps, developing design systems, and optimising user experiences for scalability and performance.
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My toolkit includes Figma, Sketch, and the Adobe Creative Suite for design; Dovetail for user research; and Microsoft Copilot for productivity. I also integrate agile methodologies, like Scrum, into my process to deliver designs efficiently.
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I believe in creating scalable and adaptable design systems that promote consistency and efficiency. At [9Spokes], I led a successful design system migration, resulting in improved performance and alignment across teams.
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Human-centred design ensures the products I create genuinely meet user needs. By focusing on empathy, research, and usability testing, I can design experiences that resonate with users while delivering business value.
Mobile-first digital tools are crucial for banks because they enable them to meet customer expectations by providing a seamless user experience and personalised engagement. (Video has no sound)
Click here to view the Time-to-Value UX research presentation - Password protected
Set up for UX success:
“vision” is par for the course
Marco’s long term goals are to ensure that his research is well communicated internally and to ensure that the designs the product team develops are well understood in terms of intention and behaviour. This may include workshops, presentations, demos and/or simply conversations.
“I haven’t looked back since I moved into the SaaS-specific app design space and I believe I have achieved a great deal. From facilitating successful design software migrations, to cost-cutting and recognised team performance through management - my growth mindset is without question.
UX is my passion and I approach it daily with a sense of urgency. I believe, to be an UX advocate, is to raise issues, contest issues and resolve them as best you can. People approach me with ease and rarely hesitate to talk to me about design and I think this is great because if there’s no open-door policy then we fail as a product team. ”
Marco advocates for parity, accessibility and scalability but moreover, he is a relentless advocate for UX and research because he naturally comes with vision for the products he helps design.
“Clear and articulate communication is key. Although we may not always align on goals we always find ourselves on the same page because we understand the limitations of our research and scope. We’ve achieve parity as a product team through leadership, knowledge and diplomacy. And that’s something I’m very proud of.”