kaixo, i’m vic de aranzeta –
a curious & pragmatic creative
a curious & pragmatic creative
about
I’m fascinated with how humans and our ancestors have used design – for 40,000+ years – to communicate, make tools, and create moments of play. We have always designed objects that shape society, culture, lived experiences, and help us get from A to B in a simple, enjoyable, and intuitive way.
As an anthropologist and ex-archaeologist with 10+ years experience and design training from RISD and Ringling, I approach design with a robust practice of decolonizing theory, and recognize the importance of intentional, accessible, and ‘just enough’ design.
Outside of work – you might find me behind the lens of my camera, playing video games, learning animation, and looking for the best cannoli. Also leading as Chair of the International Game Developer Association SF Chapter.
As an anthropologist and ex-archaeologist with 10+ years experience and design training from RISD and Ringling, I approach design with a robust practice of decolonizing theory, and recognize the importance of intentional, accessible, and ‘just enough’ design.
Outside of work – you might find me behind the lens of my camera, playing video games, learning animation, and looking for the best cannoli. Also leading as Chair of the International Game Developer Association SF Chapter.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
By creating for all and from the margins, design can empower, elevate, and engage.
Culture-centered
I believe in designing for all and I make it a priority to seek out diversity of perspectives and experiences to design with empathy and reduce bias.
I believe in designing for all and I make it a priority to seek out diversity of perspectives and experiences to design with empathy and reduce bias.
Ethical
I strive to build with and not just for people and design with integrity –avoiding deceptive patterns that can do harm.
I strive to build with and not just for people and design with integrity –avoiding deceptive patterns that can do harm.
Empowering
I seek to use design to empower people by providing value, support their jobs to be done, and create small moments of joy.
I seek to use design to empower people by providing value, support their jobs to be done, and create small moments of joy.
experience
In my 3.5 year UX career, I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing product leaders, designers, and engineers to build products across mobile app and web that positively impact lives. I think big and design small.
NCX
Founding Product Designer
2022-Present
Founding Product Designer
2022-Present
Spora Health
Founding Product Designer
2021-2022
Founding Product Designer
2021-2022
Google
UX Designer
2020-2021
UX Designer
2020-2021
Portland Leather
First UX Designer
2020
First UX Designer
2020
Freelance
Digital Designer, Illustrator
2010-2021
Digital Designer, Illustrator
2010-2021
Field Archaeologist
2014-2020
2014-2020
WHAT SETS ME APART
I think big and design small. Because of my unique background, I can go wide and work in the weeds.
Design evangelist
Advocate for ethical design and research, internally and externally by leading workshops on research and design.
Growth mindset
Endlessly curious and self aware enough to know when I need to work on something like learning HTML/CSS to be a better peer to engineers.
Advocate for ethical design and research, internally and externally by leading workshops on research and design.
Growth mindset
Endlessly curious and self aware enough to know when I need to work on something like learning HTML/CSS to be a better peer to engineers.
Anthropologist
Deep understanding of human behavior using tools and practicing decolonizing design thinking leading to stronger discovery.
Empathetic community builder
Often recognized for community and culture-building contributions like starting a belonging ERG, planning offsites, and serving as Chair of IGDA SF.
Deep understanding of human behavior using tools and practicing decolonizing design thinking leading to stronger discovery.
Empathetic community builder
Often recognized for community and culture-building contributions like starting a belonging ERG, planning offsites, and serving as Chair of IGDA SF.