About

My background spans Prague, New Zealand, and teams that care about people using technology well.

Work at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Customs, and freelance UX/UI projects shaped how I approach design: practical, human, and grounded in clarity.

Portrait illustration for Jan Svaty

Approach

My design journey has been demanding, non-linear, and worthwhile. I’m proud to contribute to New Zealand’s digital design scene while continuing to build from a broad professional background.

That mix of experience helps me move between research, interface design, content structure, stakeholder communication, and implementation detail without losing the thread.

Education & skills

Formal study plus self-driven technical practice.

Education

  • Master of User Experience Design, Victoria University of Wellington
  • Introduction to Digital Accessibility micro-credential
  • Codecademy certificate in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Tools

  • Figma and Adobe Creative Suite
  • Premiere Pro and After Effects
  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Webflow, Squarespace, basic React
  • Totara LMS administration and content work

Recognition

  • 2019 Derek Fenn Excellence Award winner
  • 2012 Volunteer of the Month, Pique magazine, Whistler

Experience

Roles that built the portfolio.

Instructional Designer

New Zealand Customs Service • November 2022 to present

UX / UI freelance projects

Various companies in New Zealand and overseas • August 2022 to October 2022

IT Service Desk Analyst

Ministry of Education, Wellington • May 2021 to July 2021

Guest Services Manager

DoubleTree by Hilton, Wellington • February 2020 to May 2021

Porter / Concierge / Concierge Supervisor

Bolton and Sofitel Hotel, Wellington • May 2015 to January 2020

IT Specialist / Production Coordinator

Boxed s.r.o., Prague • January 2013 to April 2015