Designing
Products That
Make Sense.
I'm Michelle Protzek, a Product & Experience Designer with over 15 years of experience designing digital products across web and mobile. I work with startups and growing teams to design platforms and features that support real workflows and real people.
I enjoy working on products with a lot going on, where UX decisions, interactions, and strong UI craft need to come together in a clear and intuitive way. My work often involves untangling fragmented experiences, defining clear user flows, and refining interfaces — with a pixel-conscious eye and close attention to detail — to make products easier and more satisfying to use.
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Digital illustration work
Photo taken in Porto, Portugal
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Watercolor painting exploration
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
3D modeling exploration
Photo from Startup Weekend Women's Edition, Brasília, Brazil
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Digital illustration work
Museu do Amanhã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo of my bunny Alexa
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Digital illustration work
Photo taken in Porto, Portugal
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Watercolor painting exploration
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
3D modeling exploration
Photo from Startup Weekend Women's Edition, Brasília, Brazil
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Digital illustration work
Museu do Amanhã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo of my bunny Alexa
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Digital illustration work
Photo taken in Porto, Portugal
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Watercolor painting exploration
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
3D modeling exploration
Photo from Startup Weekend Women's Edition, Brasília, Brazil
Photo from Hack4Moz event in Mozambique
Photo taken in the Netherlands
Digital illustration work
Museu do Amanhã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo of my bunny Alexa
Approach
How I
work
I approach design through a product lens, balancing user needs, business goals, and technical constraints. I collaborate closely with engineers, product managers, founders, and other stakeholders to align priorities and turn ambiguous problems into clear, usable solutions.
Rather than focusing on screens in isolation, I think in end-to-end experiences, from early exploration and structure to refined interaction and visual detail. What you'll see in my work reflects this approach.
End-to-end UX
From research and flows to detailed UI — complete experiences, not just screens.
Systematic thinking
Consistent patterns, reusable components, and scalable design decisions.
Pixel-level craft
Typography, spacing, and visual hierarchy that feels intentional and polished.
Clear communication
Design rationale that connects user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
Expertise
Data-driven
products
I've worked extensively on data-heavy and AI-driven products, designing interfaces that translate complex information into clear, actionable experiences. This includes working closely with engineers and data teams to align UX decisions with system logic, constraints, and uncertainty states.
Now
Today
I currently work as a Product Designer, contributing to digital products and features in collaboration with cross-functional teams. I'm especially interested in roles where design plays a meaningful role in shaping the final product.
Outside of work
Outside of design, I enjoy illustrating, visiting museums, and finding inspiration in art and visual culture. I'm naturally curious and love observing how ideas, forms, and systems come together — and I also spend a lot of time with my bunny, who's a constant reminder to slow down, observe, and appreciate the small details.