Allison Ranatza
ux designer, researcher, and problem-solver
A little bit about me...
Hey! I'm Allison, a UX designer passionate about intuitive user experiences and usability. I'm based in North Carolina, currently attending UNC-Chapel Hill with plans to graudate in May 2026. At UNC, I'm focused on building programs that aren't just functional, but meaningful and accessible.
My journey into design first began when I was in high school, working as a newbie in 
to run our marching band's Instagram page. After playing around, I realized there were virtually no limits on digital creativity, and later expanded to advanced 
programs. I also began my first two jobs as a Grocery Store Cashier and a Starbucks Barista, where using the registers was confusing. Nothing felt like it was in the right place, the user journey was messy, and simple tasks were 5-8 clicks away. Through my experiences, I realized that functional ≠ usable. My passion for UX/UI sparked here, wanting to solve these issues in a creative way and develop my own programs. Each day, I strive to learn more about user research, design, and 
Figma tips and tricks to deliver better results.
Professional Experience
UX Product Owner Intern @ Cisco Systems
Redesigning products within the Cisco CRM System to drive innovation and consistency in the seller experience. Under the Connected and Engineering Transformation Office (CETO) Renewals Department. CETO's mission is to operate and deliver solutions that drive: One Team. One Experience. One Cisco. with an "AI First" mindset
Design Team @ UNC CS + Social Good
Designing applications for nonprofits and local organizations. CancerLINC is an app designed to help cancer patients navigate their treatment journey, and Off-Campus Party-Registration is an event registration platform to build trust between students and local law enforcement
Digital Director @ Rewind Magazine
Designed a Front of Book spread on Top Songs of the 2000s and an article about "Virtual Worlds" for Rewind Magazine - a student project that looks back at the early 2000s to celebrate the media and moments that shaped a simpler time. As digital director, I created the website to feature our magazine and facilitated our digital promotional materials. Full Magazine Here
Community Manager @ Carolina Housing
Training and supporting Office Assistants and Resident Advisors in the Kenan Community, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for student staff. Managing the Community Service Desk, including keys, enhancements, StarRez software, and emails. Oversee the wellness of all six Kenan Community buildings by facilitating repairs and managing support logs
Previous: Resident Advisor, August 2023 - May 2025
Leadership & Community
Sister @ Iota Lambda Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma
Providing service to collegiate bands, encouraging the advancement of women in the band profession, and promoting and enriching an appreciation for band music through recognition, leadership development, and education of our members
Roles:
Aug 2025 - May 2026: Vice President of Special Projects
Aug 2023 - May 2024: Southeast District Webmaster
Jan 2024 - Dec 2024: Recording Secretary
Dec 2022 - May 2024: Historian and Webmaster
Aug 2024 - May 2025: Greek Music Council Representative (Parliamentarian & President roles)
Social Media Manager @ UNC Bands
Supported the operations and community of UNC Bands through leadership, rehearsal coordination, and management of the official UNC Bands social media. Served on the leadership team to help connect band members, facilitate communication, and ensure smooth operations both on and off the field.
Previous: Operations Assistant, August 2024 - May 2025
Member @ UNC Future Leaders in UX (FLUX)
Contributed to conversations, building skills, and fostering a community for students in user experience. Participated in workshops, design sprint challenges, and the 2025 World Usability Day event
Member @ NRHH - Society of Janus Chapter
Contributed over 60 hours of service toward supporting the residence halls and the greater Chapel Hill community. Supporting the vision of National Residence Hall Honorary through service, campus recognition, membership education, and other leadership efforts. September 2025 Campus-Level "Of The Month" Recognition Winner
Values
Curiosity
I approach design with a mindset of exploration: asking thoughtful questions, seeking diverse perspectives, and using research to better understand how people interact with technology
🧩Human-Centered Thinking
I prioritize real user needs by grounding design decisions in research, usability principles, and accessibility standards for all users; especially those who rely on the products created
💭Kindness and Collaboration
I believe strong teams and meaningful products are built through empathy, respect, and open collaboration. Diverse ideas and perspectives shape better experiences and impacts
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