About

Gustavo Santamaría

¡Hola! Welcome to my UX World!

I’m Gustavo, a bilingual-bicultural Ecuadorian-American with a wealth of experience in education and crafting seamless digital experiences. With over nine years of expertise as an EFL instructor, I’ve cultivated a deep understanding of human behavior, communication dynamics, and cultural nuances — skills that seamlessly transfer to UX.

My Journey to UX:

I stumbled upon UI/UX design during the pandemic and was instantly captivated. What started as a boredom-busting hobby quickly evolved into a profound interest. Specializing in creating modern and aesthetically pleasing designs, I collaborate closely with clients, conducting user research and translating insights into design concepts.

Fun Facts:

Did you know? I hold a 1000+ day streak on Duolingo and am a Level 7 Google Maps Local Guide! I’m an avid trail runner! I’m passionate about pushing my limits on the trails and dream of completing a 100-miler one day.

Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Society:

Lifelong learning is a core value of mine, and I’ve explored diverse areas of interest throughout my career and individual pursuits. My curiosity extends beyond UX design. I’m fascinated by the sociological approach to social interactions and the impact of technology on different social groups. From examining uneven technology utilization to exploring cultural adaptations, I’m constantly seeking to understand how technology shapes our world.

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Beyond UX:

When I’m not crafting seamless digital experiences, I’m somewhere exploring and hopefully capturing hidden gems with my drone.

Education

MA. in UX Design | Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR) | 2024

MS. in Neuropsychology and Education | Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR) | 2020

BA. in Philosophy and Psychology | The State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY at Buffalo) | 2015

Certificates

UX Design Professional Certificate | Google, Coursera | 2024

Certificate in Vocational and Professional Guidance from an Interdisciplinary Approach | Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) | 2021

CELTA | Cambridge Assessment English, International House | 2018

YouTube

Countless hours of tutorials | Everywhere| Since YouTube tutorials exist

Skills

User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Responsive Web Design, Interaction Design, Information Architecture, Sitemaping, Design Systems, User Flows, User Personas, User Journeys, Journey Mapping

Tools

Figma, WordPress, Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Canva, Miro

Let's Connect!

Join me on this journey of growth, learning, and cultural discovery. Whether you’re interested in UX design, language learning, or cultural exploration, I’m excited to connect and collaborate with you!