Melek Akan
User Experience Research & Product Design
HELLO, I AM MELEK!
I bring research, strategy, and design together to shape better experiences. From diving deep into user insights to guiding teams through complex product decisions, I turn data into action. People-first thinking is at the heart of what I do—because great products start with understanding people.
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Let’s make it happen.
My work sits at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HRI), and Behavioral Science, exploring how technology shapes human experiences. I blend speculative thinking with practical research to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
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I tackle complex user workflow challenges by facilitating co-creation sessions, aligning stakeholders, leading creative workshops, conducting deep user studies, and designing user experiences that are both intuitive and forward-thinking.
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My Mission?
Connecting technology and human needs, designing interactions that feel effortless, intentional, and built for the future. I believe the best solutions come from curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to challenge assumptions—and I bring that mindset to every project I take on.
Exploring the Intersection of People & Technology
PUBLIC PROJECTS
Curious about my work? Here are a few selected projects that I’m proud of. While they aren't confidential, they showcase my approach to research, strategy, and design.
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Feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more about a specific project or my professional work!
HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION
Topics: Speculative Design, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Interaction Design, Explorative Research
This Speculative Design project aimed to explore the autonomous delivery robots’ specific perception of the world through various factors: their purpose, intent, state, mood, personality, attention, responsiveness, intelligence, and capabilities, and through this understanding, design unique robot emotions that will foster them to communicate their unique needs.
LONELINESS AMONG IMMIGRANT ELDERLY
Topics: User Experience Research, Participatory Design, Co-Creation, Contextual Mapping
Elderly people with a migration background often poses psychosocial problems, including loneliness. Leaving the homeland is an intense life event. So not only do they lose close contact with family and friends, but they are also confronted with other manners, customs and beliefs, a different eating culture, landscape and climate, and a different language. Culture shock often occurs in the new country. TU Delft and Delft Municipality collaborate on this project to help the elderly create meaningful connections in their daily interactions.
PARCEL DELIVERY
Topics: User Experience Research, Product Design, Interaction Design, User Experience Design
Online grocery delivery is a fast-growing sector, especially in developed European countries. As technology facilities improve, it is easier to order products everywhere with an online connection. This higher accessibility of technology changed shopping habits from in-store shopping to online shopping. This product focuses on designing the optimal combination of shelves in the vehicle and boxes of grocery delivery packages. The aim is to examine the efficiency of space to fit more boxes in one vehicle while considering the cost of production of the delivery boxes.
My Services
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UX Research
I specialize in mixed-method research, including in-depth interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiries, and surveys.
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UX & Product Design
With expertise in end-to-end design processes, I create user-friendly interfaces by leveraging prototyping, wireframing, and interaction design.
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UX Strategy
I develop data-driven strategies that connect user insights with business objectives, making sure teams are aligned on the product vision.
Testimonials
×´Melek is one of the most hard-working colleagues that I have ever had! During my time working with her at Atoms UAV, she demonstrated a great sense of design, supported by her ability to empathize with users. She has improved and upgraded the interface of Marlynk, the in-house built application for mapping, turned it into a much user-friendly tool. Besides her professional skills, Melek is a strong team player and always brings unique ideas to the table. She is also proactive and self-motivated who constantly improves herself!×´
- Wen Hsiu Wang
Creative and innovative Content Creator and Digital Marketing Professional at Ace&Tate
Let’s
Connect!
Thank you for reading so far!
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If you have any questions, feedback, or just want to chat, or if you’d simply like to learn more about my professional projects, feel free to reach out.
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