Designing
clear products for
complex workflows.

I design workflows, tools, and digital experiences that make complex tasks easier to understand, use, and act on.

Mixed-methods Research Interviews Survey Design and Analysis Usability Testing Synthesis and Insight Storytelling Insight Translation Product Thinking Cross-Functional Alignment Interaction and Workflow Design Interaction / UX Design Rapid Prototyping Visual Craft
AgeTech Accessibility Ongoing
Cognitively Accessible Workplace Task Management
ProblemNavigating complex workplace tasks with MCI or early-onset dementia.
SolutionDesigned a mobile-first task management experience that helps users capture, organize, and follow workplace tasks with less cognitive load.
ApproachGenerative Co-Design Workshops · Market Analysis · User Interviews
ImpactConsolidated 100+ features into a tested prototype and secured 3 pilot partners.
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Cognitively Accessible Workplace
Automotive R&D Ford Motor Company
Engineering Knowledge Search and Decision Tool
ProblemFragmented documentation causing delays and duplicated engineering effort.
SolutionDesigned an internal search and decision-support interface that helped engineers find documentation faster and make decisions within their existing workflow.
ApproachWorkflow Analysis · Iterative Usability Testing
ImpactSaved 200+ engineering hours annually for a 12-person team.
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Engineering Knowledge Search
GovTech Information Architecture
Immigrant Services Resource Discovery Engine
ProblemInformation overload preventing users from finding critical resources.
SolutionDesigned a scalable search and navigation experience with faceted filters and mobile-first information architecture to help users find critical services faster.
ApproachOpen Card Sorting · Closed Card Sorting
Impact60% improvement in search relevance, with a modular structure built to scale.
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Immigrant Services IA
Academic Cognitive Engineering
Google Maps Interface Navigation and Cognitive Mapping
ProblemInterface clutter and hidden actions slowing novice users and increasing navigation errors.
SolutionRedesigned key navigation interactions and interface priorities to reduce ambiguity, surface hidden actions, and support faster route decisions for novice users.
ApproachContextual Inquiry · Cognitive Task Analysis
ImpactTranslated expertise gaps into a clear UX roadmap · 100/100 in SYDE 642.
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Google Maps Navigation
EdTech Content Strategy
Educational Platform and Content Experience
ProblemPedagogy and product misalignment, limiting user engagement and satisfaction.
SolutionShaped a more cohesive product and content experience by aligning platform improvements with how math teachers engaged, learned, and dropped off.
ApproachSurveys · Interviews · A/B Testing
ImpactElevated user satisfaction to 85%+, connecting learning strategy with product execution.
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Educational Platform
EdTech AI / ML Startup
AI-Powered Sound Visualization for Music Education
ProblemFragmented product vision across competing AI/ML powered learning paths.
SolutionDefined the product direction and interface concept for a real-time feedback experience that unified three competing AI learning paths into one clearer product vision.
ApproachMarket Analysis · Interviews
ImpactTurned three competing ideas into one validated product direction, leading to the first sale.
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AI Sound Visualization
About
Sheida Marashi

Design that connects people, organizations, and impact.

I approach product design through a systems design lens, grounding decisions in research and the broader systems people navigate. By bridging community needs and business objectives, I help teams build outcomes that are both measurable and sustainable.

Experience
2018 to now
Research-Led Product Designer
MCI@Work Consortium, University of Waterloo
2016 to 2017
Product Designer, Internal Search & Decision Support
Ford Motor Company R&D Center, Dearborn
2015 to 2017
UX Researcher, Content Strategy
AMP21 Math Group, Wayne State University
Education
Current
PhD Candidate, Systems Design Engineering
University of Waterloo, Canada
Completed
M.Sc., Industrial and Systems Engineering
Wayne State University, U.S.

Sheida worked directly with a Ford engineering team to design the entire user interface for their decision support system. She required no faculty supervision and delivered an excellent product through multiple design iterations.

Kenneth R. Chelst
Kenneth R. Chelst
Director, Engineering Management Program, Ford Motor Company

You were brilliant. Your ability to learn new concepts, take in copious amounts of information and distill it down were so impressive to watch. But best of all your leadership skills were always front and centre during the week.

Cheryl J. Dalziel
Cheryl J. Dalziel
Project Stakeholder, AGE-WELL Summer Institute