SO YOU WANNA GET TO KNOW ME?
Hey I'm Aja, a designer, strategic thinker & problem solver.
I specialize in turning complex problems into clear, thoughtful product experiences by connecting user insight and business strategy with design. From early discovery through launch, I partner with product, engineering, and stakeholders to build scalable, user-centered solutions. I lead design research and strategy, shape product roadmaps, to build products that create meaningful outcomes. I'm passionate about delievering real solutions with real impact.
With over six years of experience across enterprise SaaS and a wide range of industries, I thrive on quickly understanding new domains, navigating ambiguity, and uncovering opportunities that move products forward. I have a knack for bringing people together, challenging assumptions, and helping teams make confident product decisions.
From leading design research and shaping frameworks to designing products, crafing AI-powered experiences, and facilitating collaborative workshops, I enjoy turning ideas into products that solve real problems.
I believe great product design isn't just about shipping features. It's about helping teams make smarter decisions that build better products and stronger businesses.
When I'm not at my desk, you'll probably find me running with my dog, riding my horse, hiking in the mountains, nerding out on podcasts, or hosting family and friends over good food.
MY AI APPROACH
AI & Design
I view AI as a force multiplier, not a decision maker. I use it to accelerate research analysis, uncover patterns, generate and test ideas, improve documentation, and reduce manual work throughout the product lifecycle. This allows me to focus more time on strategy, systems thinking, stakeholder alignment, and understanding user needs.
I apply AI in two ways: Improving the products we build for users and improving the process of how we build.
I am intentional about where AI adds value and cautious about where it does not. Successful products are not defined by how much AI they use, but by how effectively they solve problems for users and the business.
My Experience
07/2025 - Present | Remote
UX UI Architect (Principal Designer)
NewRocket
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Led and mentored a team of designers to foster skill growth, collaboration, professional development and a shared design vision.
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Led UX strategy and experience architecture for complex enterprise platforms, aligning product vision with user and business outcomes
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Created the UX foundation of all experience research, design thinking workshops, discovery sessions, user flows, personas, journey mapping and user testing.
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Set product direction and standards, then delivered the mockups and prototypes that aligned stakeholders and guided implementation
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Principle designer lead with client stakeholders, driving alignment through workshops and clear decision making
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Led AI informed design strategy and rapid iterations to accelerate synthesis, prototyping, and decision making across complex enterprise initiatives.
04 / 2024 - 07/2025 | Remote
Senior UX UI Designer
Cognizant
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Designed and launched 40+ PaaS/SaaS products across industries, serving 2M+ global users and generating over $20M+ in value.
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Defined long-term product strategies and experience roadmaps for enterprise platforms, aligning customer needs with business goals.
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Led end-to-end product design lifecycle from scoping and user research, to wireframes, mockups and prototypes, testing, implementation.
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Facilitate stakeholder meetings, end-user workshops, conduct user research and testing, and leveraged iterative prototyping to ensure products met both business goals and user needs.
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Defined and scaled UX strategy, design systems, and product roadmaps to drive adoption and business outcomes.
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Mentored designers to foster skill growth, collaboration, professional development and a shared design vision within multidisciplinary product teams
10/ 2021 - 04 / 2024 | Hybrid | Calgary, Canada
Senior UX UI Designer
Thirdera Digital (Acquired by Cognizant Dec 2024)
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Delivered award-winning designs recognized in Top 5 Best Employee Portals (2024, 2025) in a $273B industry.
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Defined and scaled UX strategy, design systems, and product roadmaps to drive adoption and business outcomes.
04 / 2020 - 10 / 2021 | Hybrid | Calgary, Canada
UX UI Designer
APPOXIO (Acquired by Thirdera October 2021)
Aja Deren
UX UI ARCHITECT | PRODUCT DESIGNER
Aja Deren is a strategic product designer with over 6 years experience leading the design of 50+ digital products across PaaS & SaaS environments, serving multiple industries and 3M+ global users, generating $20M+ in value. Aja is skilled at translating complex problems into solutions that balance business goals with user needs.
Education
Calgary, Canada
Mount Royal University
Bachelor of Communications & Information Design. Minor in Social Innovation
Toolkit
Just some of the tools I use regularly, but I’m always learning and adding new ones to my skillset.
Figma
Figjam
Claude
Maze
Google Suite
Adobe CC
Office 365
THE GOOD STUFF
What It's Like To Work With Me
Think of me as your go-to teammate, the kind of person who brings high-quality work, thoughtful ideas and positivity to the table. I’m always open to feedback, brainstorming, or learning something new. At the end of the day, I want to make cool things with cool people.
How I Work
- Start with the problem not solutions
- Progress over perfection
- Outcomes over output
- Evidence over opinions
- Design the system not just the screens
- Align early and often
- Design is a team sport
FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVED TO TELL THE TALE
What The People Had To Say
Aja creates a welcoming and supportive environment. She makes it easy for people to open up and share thoughts without fear of judgment.
She tackles challenges head-on but with intention. Aja is all about getting the work done while keeping the energy light and positive. She’s a ray of sunshine.
Vic Mach
Product Design Manager
Aja has an incredibly empathetic approach. Prioritizing gaining a deep understanding of people, making her work incredibly impactful. She creates an environment where everyone feels heard and respected.
Aja approaches challenges with optimism and determination, always focusing on possibilities rather than roadblocks.
Breanne Creelman
Experience Practice Manager
Aja brought a thoughtful and professional approach to a very challenging project. In workshops where input was limited and direction was unclear, she found ways to draw out key information and adapt methods to move work forward. She was able to gather meaningful insights, navigate ambiguity and deliver value. Overall she was a major asset to the team.
Sierra Hayden Plaut
Senior Technology Manager
