About Me – Maelanny Alcantara

it's mei • lah • nee or Lanny for short 😁

I was born and raised in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines and immigrated to Chicago, IL with my family in May 2010. Currently based in Skokie, IL for the past two years, I successfully obtained my Bachelor's degree in UX Design with a minor in Information Technology (2021) and recently completed my Master of Arts in Experience Design (2023) from DePaul University. Our decision to move to the United States opened doors of opportunity for my family and me, allowing us to pursue experiences we were unable to have in our home country. I am immensely grateful for the education I have received, which introduced me to the world of User Experience Design.

My journey in the realm of UX Design began during my Freshman year of college. Coming from a background in performing arts, including acting, singing, and dancing, I have developed a deep appreciation for creativity. This diverse background in the arts allows me to offer unique perspectives in the exploration of artistic beauty, making me a compelling candidate within any organization.

Throughout the pandemic, I gained valuable local freelance and volunteer experience while serving as the Co-President of the DePaul User Experience Association (S.Y. 2021-2022), deeply immersing myself in the tech industry, learning from peers, mentors, and senior designers. As my career continues to advance, I am enthusiastic about furthering my growth and learning in the field.

From my recent New York trip last November (2023)! 🍎

June 2023: Had the opportunity to finally cross the stage as a college graduate after finishing my Master of Arts degree in Experience Design!

Same staircase, different timelines

My Design Values 🖌

1. Curious-Minded Innovation is the entrance to empathic design: I believe that it is of great value to become curious in this design field, because the only way that can differentiate you from others is how you think. The power of a creative mind (even if creativity takes practice) is already an advantage to others who don’t think outside of the box.

2. Be Comfortable Outside Your Comfort Zones. Accept Vulnerability: A career in UX design is not something to be taken lightly. Failures result in improvements, because you would be able to reflect on challenges you overcome. Being open for experiences that’s out of your comfort zones should be practiced. It’s also our discretion to control how to be receptive of any challenges in this field.

3. Find the Beauty of Continuous Learning in the Design Industry: As an entry-level designer, I believe it’s very important to keep in mind that being imperfect and not knowing everything is normal. There’s nothing wrong with making our own ways to keep learning, within our peers or from external resources. In that case, we should also be open to share our learned knowledge to people who could benefit from it.

4. Practice designing with accessibility & inclusivity in mind whenever possible: Growing up in a culturally diverse household has instilled in me a deep commitment to being considerate of addressing a diverse range of needs and perspectives. As I continue to gain professional experience, I am dedicated to designing with equity and justice in mind. It would be an honor for me to contribute to creating a positive impact in our community, whether it's near or far.

When I'm not wearing my designer hat 🤩

🎮 I get deeply immersed in discovering the latest video or app game trends out there (currently geeking on playing Good Pizza, Great Pizza on iPad and Apex Legends & Spiderman: Miles Morales on PS4). I would say games definitely exercise my mental stimulation in taking challenges.

📲 I live off following trends on Tiktok! Whether it’s sharing laughs, finding new recipes to cook, or discovering a new life hack!

🎤 I sing my heart out with youtube karaoke sessions.

🤎 Drinking my homemade Iced Shaken Espresso at home. (Thanks Nespresso! )

🐶 Scrolling through silly posts by Corgi dog owners (via FB groups & IG reels) and enjoying the entertainment. Definitely a dream to be a corgi mom someday, but for now, it's time to just take notes of first-time dog owner tips.

📺 Spend time with my family by tuning into the newest reality cooking/talent competition shows or horror movies!

HELPFUL READS

Articulating Design Decisions by Tom Greever • Solving Product Design Exercises by Artiom Dashinsky

HIGHLIGHTED SKILLS

UX/Product Design • Mobile & Web Design • Usability Testing • Content Inventory • Competitive Analysis • Brand Design • Content Management Systems • Video Editing

PRIMARY TOOLS

Figma • Google Drive • Adobe Illustrator • Optimal Sort • Maze • Canva • Slack

MUST WATCH CONTENT CREATORS

Rachel How • femke.design • vaexperience • CareerFoundry

AS AN EXPLORER OF INTERESTS, 🔎

I am a Multipotentialite.

Since I was a kid, I developed various interests such as video editing, acting, and singing.

This diverse range of passions qualifies me as a multipotentialite due to my pursuit of different areas. Alongside my tech-savviness, my inclination towards a career in design stemmed from my involvement in performing arts, where I gained a profound understanding of the significance of craftsmanship and creative endeavor. Curious whether you're also a multipotentialite? Learn more about it here!

Considering the broad application of UX Design across multiple industries, I am enthusiastic about exploring various sectors until I discover the ones that truly resonate with me. Currently, I find myself drawn to the Internet of Things (IoT)/SaaS, Food Tech, Retail, Aviation/Travel, Consulting, B2C, and Healthcare industries. I don't have a singular preference, as I am genuinely receptive to learning and contributing in diverse fields.

HOW MY MULTIPOTENTIALITE SELF FLOURISHED 🌟

In the eyes of my high school self

By having consistent curiosity, I was always fond of trying new things and/or improving a new hobby.

For one of my last International Baccalaureate (IB) projects during Senior year, I created this video compilation of some of the memorable things I did at Amundsen High School, which encompassed IB learner profiles for my Theory of Knowledge class (2017). This was definitely fun to make!

TO IMPROVE ON MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS, 🗣

I became a Community Advocate.

Joining extracurriculars is one thing, but what helped me step out of my comfort zone was becoming a leader in my university's design student community, promoting educational growth in the UX Design world.

I was a founding member of the DePaul User Experience Association (DUXA) back in 2019, assisting in building the student community through webinars and social gatherings held via Zoom meetings.

By the time I entered my first year of my Experience Design graduate program in 2021-2022, I had taken on the role of Co-President to lead the organization and organize events for the undergrad and grad students. One of the most rewarding aspects of event planning was connecting with fellow designers beyond DePaul. Below are the major webinars that I helped organize. Additionally, I volunteered as an ADPList Ambassador and hosted two worldwide webinars for the organization. Feel free to check out the recordings if you're interested!

DUXA Event Recordings: Intern Panel, How to Prepare a Portfolio Panel, LinkedIn Panel,

ADPList Event Recordings: Intro to Design Systems, The Paths We've Taken

AS SOMEONE WHO APPRECIATES DELICIOUS MEALS 😋

I am a phone 'almost always' eats first foodie

I have always loved appreciating what different cuisines have to offer, whether it's with going out with my family or friends. Please enjoy the preview of these delicious grubs to see what it's like in my foodie adventures! Feel free to ask me where I got any of these dishes! 😁

SINCE YOU REACHED THE BOTTOM, 🎶

Need some throwback vibes? 👉🏻

Did any of my work catch your attention? Let's Connect!

Kindly drop a message through malcantara.design@gmail.com or through LinkedIn for any opportunities you’d like to share or have a simple coffee chat! Thank you for visiting. Looking forward to getting to know you!