Kirsten Bolender
Hello, I’m Kirsten. I'm a Visual and UX/UI Designer based in sunny California. Growing up, I’ve always been passionate about creating designs that combine functionality and ease of use with visual appeal. Staying true to that passion, I earned my Master of Arts in Design Management and a Bachelor’s in Media Design in Germany.
I specialize in crafting impactful and memorable designs that not only look great but also deliver seamless functionality and user experiences. Having worked with both small and large clients across the globe, I’ve built a diverse portfolio spanning branding, digital, and user interface design projects.
What Colleagues & Clients say:
Working with Kirsten at BSH as a fellow UX/UI Designer is a true pleasure. She brings so much positive energy to the team and has an amazing way of making everyone around her smile. I always enjoy asking for her opinion because she quickly understands the core of any problem, and you can always count on her to come up with smart, creative ideas. What really sets Kirsten apart, though, is her visual design skills. I'm always amazed at how she is able to understand both the consumers and the brand's identity, and how she captures this in her visual style. I think this is what makes her a complete designer. Any team would be lucky to have Kirsten. She’s a talented designer and a great colleague, and I truly enjoy working with her.
I had the pleasure and fortune of working alongside Kirsten Bolender, and I can confidently say she is an exceptional professional in every sense of the word. Her expertise in user experience is exceptional—she has an intuitive understanding of user needs and translates them into seamless, engaging digital experiences.
Kirsten's visual design skills are equally impressive. She has an incredible eye for detail, creating designs that are not only functional but also visually stunning. She excels at coordinating design processes, leading design initiatives, managing workflows with precision, and fostering collaboration across teams, making her a true strategist when it comes to design management.
Working directly on UX and UI projects with Kirsten is a great gift and makes my days better (and happier). She is extremely engaged and is constantly looking to improve her skills! She has great skills in UX, Visual Design and great public speaking skills, which makes her work admirable and beautiful. I recommend Kirsten and I am sure that this is just the beginning of a promising professional journey.
'It was a very pleasant experience to work with Kirsten. We had many thoughts on how we wanted to redesign our brand. With her professional skills and knowledge, Kirsten really helped us turning the idea into reality! We are a big fan of her work and she is such a sweet person as well. Highly recommended!'
Kirsten is always great to work with. She is a reliable teammate, highly professional and ever-motivated to work towards perfection. Her well-organised and structured way of working makes trusting her with complex and challenging tasks easy. Furthermore, Kirsten brings along a high level of creativity and openness for expanding knowledge. I truly enjoyed working with her!
Kirsten is an exceptionally talented and thoughtful designer. Her expertise in UX/UI Design, Visual Design, Design Systems and Design Management is truly one-of-a-kind. She brings an unmatched level of dedication to every project she works on. I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Kirsten on various projects, including multiple web design projects where she created visually stunning design concepts and optimized the user experience to be more user-friendly and engaging. She also created multiple corporate designs for us, including digital and physical design assets and video animations. I’ve always been impressed by the outstanding results and can highly recommend her.
'The cooperation with Mrs. Bolender is very pleasant: A great mixture of creativity, cost awareness, high adherence to deadlines and customer orientation.'
Brands I've worked with...
SOFT SKILLS
Collaborative.
I believe the best work comes from open collaboration and shared ideas. I thrive in conversations where ideas are challenged and refined, and I see feedback as a key part of growth. I approach teamwork with openness and respect and aim to foster a positive environment where everyone feels heard and great work can emerge.
Passionate.
I’m motivated by a love for what I do, and I approach my work with a strategic, detail-oriented mindset, always aiming to make a meaningful impact. I always strive to do my best on every project, driven by a genuine curiosity to understand and address the needs and concerns of both the company and its customers.
Reliable.
Others highlight my dedication, reliability, and positive mindset. I take ownership of my work and consistently follow through on commitments, ensuring tasks are completed on time. Being organized, proactive and detail-oriented allows me to approach every responsibility with thoroughness. Teammates can count on me to be dependable, communicative, and steady.
HARD Skills
MY SKILLS
UX/UI design is about perfecting function; visual design is about perfecting form.
In my design projects, I go beyond aesthetics to prioritize usability and human-centered design. By integrating strategy and innovation management approaches like the Double Diamond, Design Thinking, and Agile methods, I work more efficiently and deliver customer-friendly products that truly resonate.
Experience in numbers
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Work Experience
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Educational Path
At Macromedia University of Applied Sciences Cologne, Germany // 2021-2022
- Awarded with an „Excellence Merit International Scholarship“
- Received best possible grade on Master’s thesis with a grade of 1.0 (equivalent with GPA of 4.0)
- Major subjects: design management, digital technologies, design strategies, HCD and UX principles, strategy- and innovation management, impact and value of design
University of Applied Sciences Mainz, Germany // 2018 – 2021
This degree focused on time-based and interactive media, covering animation, coding, video, and other multimedia design. I gained fundamental skills in graphic design, animation, UX/UI design, media law, and branding, balancing creative exploration with practical applications. This program fueled my passion for crafting meaningful, engaging experiences through design and technology.
Key Achievements:
- GPA: GPA 3.6 (Grade 1.4)
- Thesis: GPA 3.8 (Grade 1.2)
- Led animation and interactive projects combining storytelling and technology
- Gained hands-on experience in coding and media design tools
- Developed strong teamwork and presentation skills across interdisciplinary project
At Gymnasium Siegburg Alleestraße, Germany // 2013 – 2017
- Grade: 1.5 (equivalent to GPA of 3.5)
- Activities and societies: Commitment in prom committee
- Major subjects: English and Biology