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Carlos Jakob

About

I'm Carlos, a product designer and engineer. I turn complex workflows into clear, useful products – and build the software behind them.

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I'm a Product Designer & Engineer with 20 years of experience, coupled with a strong background in technical implementations and specialized knowledge in fintech.

I have successfully created the UI, UX and associated design system for numerous digital products using Figma and Sketch. My designs focus on exciting and easy-to-use solutions that simplify complex processes for the end user while meeting the needs of the client.

When it comes to the implementation I work closely with engineers with in-depth explanations of components and multiple design reviews.

Over the past 5+ years, I have acquired the skills to not only create the visual design and identity, but also translate the concepts into functional code using HTML, React & JavaScript, CSS, TailwindCSS and more.

I have since expanded this work to include TypeScript, Next.js and native iOS development with Swift and SwiftUI. My recent projects include a Swiss flea-market platform with an iOS app and administration tools. At finnova, I work on the UI, UX and design system for its Core Banking Platform.

I also build custom skills for AI agents and automations for research, data preparation and repetitive tasks. This includes defining how agents carry out a task, connecting them to scripts and data sources, and adding checks so I can review the results before applying changes.

Skills

Product design

  • Visual and interaction design
  • Wireframing and prototyping
  • Design systems, component libraries, and documentation
  • Design leadership and mentoring
  • Accessibility and inclusive design
  • User research, feedback, and usability testing
  • Information architecture and interaction models
  • Product strategy, workshops, UX audits, and stakeholder collaboration
  • Visual identity and brand design

Web & mobile development

  • TypeScript, JavaScript, React, Next.js, and Vue.js
  • HTML, CSS, Tailwind CSS, and shadcn/ui
  • Angular Material and Storybook component libraries
  • Translating Figma designs into reusable UI components
  • Responsive and mobile-first interfaces
  • Localisation and multilingual products
  • Accessibility, loading, error, and interaction states
  • Swift and SwiftUI for native iOS apps
  • Objective-C

Technical experience

  • Working with APIs and external data
  • Supabase and database-backed products
  • User accounts, subscriptions, and notifications
  • Local data storage and progressive web apps
  • Git, debugging, and testing

AI tools & automation

  • AI-assisted prototyping and development
  • Creating custom skills for AI agents
  • Automating repetitive research and data preparation
  • Reviewing and checking AI-generated results

Software and tools

Figma, Sketch, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Storybook, Xcode, Visual Studio Code, GitHub, Codex, Claude, Terminal, npm, and pnpm.

Languages

English, German (native)

Experience

Selected independent work

Independent Product Designer & Developer

  • Designing and developing a Swiss flea-market platform spanning a native SwiftUI app, web experiences, and administration tools. The work includes maps, organiser workflows, subscriptions, notifications, and multilingual interfaces.
  • Created MercuryApp, a cryptocurrency portfolio tracker whose original web app reached around 300 users. Rebuilt the experience with Next.js and TypeScript, encrypted device-local storage, and wallet integrations.
  • Designed and developed Kalm in Objective-C, bringing weather and upcoming events to the iPhone lock screen and generating approximately 25,000 sales.
  • Building AI-assisted research and data-review workflows, with source tracking, validation, and human review before import.
  • Completed freelance projects spanning websites and corporate identities using Sketch, Figma, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, WordPress, and more.
  • Worked as a freelance media designer at Emily Frey AG and as a desktop publisher at Zürcher Kantonalbank.
  • Completed an apprenticeship as a media designer at n c ag.

2024–present

finnova AG

Product Designer

Product Designer in the in-house design and product team for its Core Banking Platform.

  • Designing the UI and UX for finnova's Core Banking Platform.
  • Creating and maintaining the product's design system in Figma.
  • Developing components for the UI library using Angular Material and Storybook.
  • Collaborating with designers, stakeholders, and developers from concepts and prototypes through implementation.
  • Using research and usability feedback to improve the product.

2019–2024

Additiv AG

Head of Design and Product Designer & Engineer

Led design for Additiv and Advisor Hub, its SaaS relationship-manager platform for banks, insurers, and lenders.

  • Crafted the platform's UI and UX, including its journeys, visual identity, strategy, wireframes, flow diagrams, and design system in Figma.
  • Developed an interactive platform prototype using React and Tailwind CSS, accelerating implementation.
  • Created visual identities, wireframes, and interactive prototypes for private banks, insurers, and lenders using Figma and Sketch.
  • Conducted user interviews to validate features and improve customer satisfaction.
  • Used A/B testing to assess features aimed at improving user productivity.
  • Developed scenario-specific personas to guide the platform's functionality and features.
  • Collaborated with customers, stakeholders, and developers to identify and resolve potential issues early.

2016–2019

Additiv AG

Art Director & Product Designer

Art Director and Product Designer working on digital solutions for private banks, insurers, and lenders.

  • Created UI and UX from concept to final product, including visual strategies, wireframes, flowcharts, design systems, and interactive prototypes using Sketch, Figma, and InVision.
  • Conducted user interviews and A/B tests to improve the user experience.
  • Evolved the company's visual identity, aligning it with contemporary design standards and strengthening brand recognition.
  • Collaborated with management and stakeholders to align design objectives and visual-identity work with business goals.

2007–2016

Additiv AG & addvanto AG

Media & Graphic Designer

Integral part of the marketing department and the primary UI/UX designer for the company.

  • Developed print and digital campaigns, landing pages, and promotional lookbooks using Sketch, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
  • Created solutions for private banks, lenders, and insurers, from strategic planning through user interfaces and interactive prototypes in Sketch and InVision.