Eric Lavender | UI/UX & Product Designer

I'm Eric Lavender

I have over 20 years of experience building user-centered web applications as a UI/UX expert, product designer and web developer. I'm currently looking for work.

Located in Auckland, New Zealand

About Me

I'm a Senior UX/UI and Product Designer who recently relocated to Auckland from Texas, and I'm currently document ready. I'm working with NZ Shores on my New Zealand work visa application, and I only need an offer of employment from an Accredited Employer to submit my application.

I've been building for the web since I was 11 years old, long before it was a career path. At 15, I developed a website from scratch that grew to over 10,000 monthly unique visitors, entirely on my own.

That foundation has grown into a career spanning full-stack web development and digital strategy. I specialise in UI/UX design, front-end engineering (HTML, JavaScript, CSS), PHP/MySQL development, SEO, email marketing, landing page optimisation, and brand development.

Design has always been more than aesthetics to me, it's about solving real problems in ways that feel effortless to the people experiencing them. I'm passionate about the details most people never notice, because I believe those small decisions are exactly what separate a good product from a great one. Whether it's a micro-interaction that feels just right, a navigation flow that never makes a user think twice, or a layout that communicates trust before a single word is read, that's where I live.

After 20+ years of building user-centred experiences, that drive to find the most elegant solution to a complex problem is still what gets me excited to work each and every day.

I care deeply about building things that are fast, intuitive, and purposeful, and I bring that perspective to every project I take on.

My Work Experience

Senior User Experience Designer

HRsmart / Deltek
Nov 2014 - Jan 2026

Responsible for creating and managing innovative and industry-leading design solutions that align with brand standards and best practice for digital design, including information architecture, layout, and navigation across multiple products and product teams.

Responsibilities Include:

Produced end-to-end design outputs including user flows, detailed wireframes, clickable prototypes, high-fidelity UI, and final build-ready assets
Communicated UX strategy by articulating the vision and rationale behind design decisions to various stakeholders, from product managers to engineers
Managed and evolved multiple responsive design systems, applying interaction design and visual design best practice across desktop and mobile
Identified and supported customer research and user testing opportunities, including planning, facilitating, and compiling key findings
Assisted in the adoption of AI-assisted design, automation, and machine learning principles
Championed WCAG accessibility principles and inclusive design

Founder & Lead Product Designer

Gamertag Nation
Feb 2008 - Present

Designed and developed the platform from concept to a vibrant online community
Managed PHP/MySQL backend, front-end development, and UX design
Implemented iterative design based on analytics, feedback, and usability studies
Created original branding assets including logos, banners, and social campaigns
Built SEO strategy that significantly increased traffic and engagement
Modernised legacy frameworks across multiple end-of-life cycles over time
Maintained server security updates across multiple production and developer environments

Director of Marketing

DataJack, Inc.
Jun 2006 - Oct 2014

Led digital acquisition efforts across paid and organic channels
Collaborated with dev teams to optimise UX/UI for customer conversion
Oversaw market research, pricing, and campaign execution
Launched and maintained multiple WordPress-based product sites

Department Leader

Cinemark
Apr 2004 - Jun 2006

Managed frontline staff and customer service escalation in a high-volume venue
Oversaw day-to-day operations and ensured compliance with safety and food standards
Reported directly to corporate on operations and training outcomes

My Proficiencies

Digital Product Design User Experience Design AI-Assisted Design Figma Adobe Creative Suite Responsive Design WCAG Accessibility Prototyping Design Systems Mobile Design UI Architecture User Research A/B Testing Email Design Web Analytics Search Engine Optimization Zoom/Teams/Slack

My Certifications

Figma for UX Design

LinkedIn • 2026

Gestalt Psychology & Web Design

Interaction Design Foundation • 2025

Accessibility: How to Design for All

Interaction Design Foundation • 2025

Mobile UI Design

Interaction Design Foundation • 2025

Business and Marketing Writing

Collin College • 2010

My Projects