About me
About me
Hello! I'm Micah Abalos (he/him), and I'm a Southern California-raised, Midwest-based UX designer with 10+ years of experience blending creative fine arts roots with a passion for tech and innovation.
At Next Level Solutions, I've been busy helping drive the success of our teams. Whether by contributing to the design of user-centric apps aimed at improving team effectiveness or creating documents guiding the UX team through project implementation phases, I find ways to contribute to making our teams more efficient in delivering quality work to our clients. My commitment to user advocacy and accessibility has also helped create smoother, more inclusive digital experiences in the Property and Casualty insurance market.
Earlier in my career at Nexus Brands Group and KBS Realty Advisors, I delivered digital campaigns and maintained brand consistency across diverse channels, all while tackling high-stakes projects that drove significant business impact. These earlier roles have seen me create compelling investment presentations, ensure consistent brand messaging across diverse markets, deliver critical assets that directly contributed to multi-billion-dollar asset acquisitions and take on additional creative direction work for significant cost savings.
I love a challenge as much as I love creativity, and my current role in UX allows me to scratch both those sides of my brain. I also love exploring new ideas, sharing what I learn, and finding that perfect balance between creativity and functionality. I'm the type of person who isn't afraid to ask questions or collaborate with people, stays curious and always aims to create things that make sense, feel and look good, work well, and put people first.
But when I'm not pushing pixels, you can find me hosting game nights, enjoying/participating in local theatre, out at a karaoke bar with friends, or lounging at home bingeing some TV shows with my wife. I'm also a huge lover of all things sweet (big sucker for pie and ice cream), which makes sense as to why I'm a girl dad*.
*I have three cats (Ravioli, Milo and Georgie) and one dog (Avery)... so far.
Hello! I'm Micah Abalos (he/him), and I'm a Southern California-raised, Midwest-based UX designer with 10+ years of experience blending creative fine arts roots with a passion for tech and innovation.
At Next Level Solutions, I've been busy helping drive the success of our teams. Whether by contributing to the design of user-centric apps aimed at improving team effectiveness or creating documents guiding the UX team through project implementation phases, I find ways to contribute to making our teams more efficient in delivering quality work to our clients. My commitment to user advocacy and accessibility has also helped create smoother, more inclusive digital experiences in the Property and Casualty insurance market.
Earlier in my career at Nexus Brands Group and KBS Realty Advisors, I delivered digital campaigns and maintained brand consistency across diverse channels, all while tackling high-stakes projects that drove significant business impact. These earlier roles have seen me create compelling investment presentations, ensure consistent brand messaging across diverse markets, deliver critical assets that directly contributed to multi-billion-dollar asset acquisitions and take on additional creative direction work for significant cost savings.
I love a challenge as much as I love creativity, and my current role in UX allows me to scratch both those sides of my brain. I also love exploring new ideas, sharing what I learn, and finding that perfect balance between creativity and functionality. I'm the type of person who isn't afraid to ask questions or collaborate with people, stays curious and always aims to create things that make sense, feel and look good, work well, and put people first.
But when I'm not pushing pixels, you can find me hosting game nights, enjoying/participating in local theatre, out at a karaoke bar with friends, or lounging at home bingeing some TV shows with my wife. I'm also a huge lover of all things sweet (big sucker for pie and ice cream), which makes sense as to why I'm a girl dad*.
*I have three cats (Ravioli, Milo and Georgie) and one dog (Avery)... so far.
Hello! I'm Micah Abalos (he/him), and I'm a Southern California-raised, Midwest-based UX designer with 10+ years of experience blending creative fine arts roots with a passion for tech and innovation.
At Next Level Solutions, I've been busy helping drive the success of our teams. Whether by contributing to the design of user-centric apps aimed at improving team effectiveness or creating documents guiding the UX team through project implementation phases, I find ways to contribute to making our teams more efficient in delivering quality work to our clients. My commitment to user advocacy and accessibility has also helped create smoother, more inclusive digital experiences in the Property and Casualty insurance market.
Earlier in my career at Nexus Brands Group and KBS Realty Advisors, I delivered digital campaigns and maintained brand consistency across diverse channels, all while tackling high-stakes projects that drove significant business impact. These earlier roles have seen me create compelling investment presentations, ensure consistent brand messaging across diverse markets, deliver critical assets that directly contributed to multi-billion-dollar asset acquisitions and take on additional creative direction work for significant cost savings.
I love a challenge as much as I love creativity, and my current role in UX allows me to scratch both those sides of my brain. I also love exploring new ideas, sharing what I learn, and finding that perfect balance between creativity and functionality. I'm the type of person who isn't afraid to ask questions or collaborate with people, stays curious and always aims to create things that make sense, feel and look good, work well, and put people first.
But when I'm not pushing pixels, you can find me hosting game nights, enjoying/participating in local theatre, out at a karaoke bar with friends, or lounging at home bingeing some TV shows with my wife. I'm also a huge lover of all things sweet (big sucker for pie and ice cream), which makes sense as to why I'm a girl dad*.
*I have three cats (Ravioli, Milo and Georgie) and one dog (Avery)... so far.
Experience
Experience
Experience
Springfield, MO
Next Level Solutions
Jan 2019 – Present
Senior UX Designer
Springfield, MO
Next Level Solutions
Jan 2019 – Present
Senior UX Designer
Springfield, MO
Next Level Solutions
Jan 2019 – Present
Senior UX Designer
Orange, CA
Nexus Brands Group
Jun 2021 - Feb 2022
Senior Graphic Designer
Orange, CA
Nexus Brands Group
Jun 2021 - Feb 2022
Senior Graphic Designer
Orange, CA
Nexus Brands Group
Jun 2021 - Feb 2022
Senior Graphic Designer
Newport Beach, CA
KBS Realty Advisors
Jun 2015 - May 2021
Senior Graphic Designer
Newport Beach, CA
KBS Realty Advisors
Jun 2015 - May 2021
Senior Graphic Designer
Newport Beach, CA
KBS Realty Advisors
Jun 2015 - May 2021
Senior Graphic Designer
La Mirada, CA
The Chimes Newspaper
Aug 2014 - May 2015
Design Editor
La Mirada, CA
The Chimes Newspaper
Aug 2014 - May 2015
Design Editor
La Mirada, CA
The Chimes Newspaper
Aug 2014 - May 2015
Design Editor
Technical Skills
Technical Skills
Technical Skills
UX & UI Design
Product & Interaction Design, Wireframing, Information Architecture, Design Systems
UX & UI Design
Product & Interaction Design, Wireframing, Information Architecture, Design Systems
UX & UI Design
Product & Interaction Design, Wireframing, Information Architecture, Design Systems
Marketing & Visual Design
Branding, Print, Publication, Presentation, Graphic Design
Marketing & Visual Design
Branding, Print, Publication, Presentation, Graphic Design
Marketing & Visual Design
Branding, Print, Publication, Presentation, Graphic Design
Figma
Digital & interface design tool
Figma
Digital & interface design tool
Figma
Digital & interface design tool
Adobe Creative Suite
Design, photo & video editing software
Adobe Creative Suite
Design, photo & video editing software
Adobe Creative Suite
Design, photo & video editing software
Basic Coding
HTML, CSS, GitHub, Command Line
Basic Coding
HTML, CSS, GitHub, Command Line
Basic Coding
HTML, CSS, GitHub, Command Line
No-code Web Design
Framer, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, Wordpress, etc.
No-code Web Design
Framer, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, Wordpress, etc.
No-code Web Design
Framer, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, Wordpress, etc.
Recommendations
Recommendations
Recommendations
"I've had the opportunity to work with Micah, and his tenacity and commitment to his work are undeniable. He is highly detail-oriented and holds himself to a high standard of quality in his own approach. Micah isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, advocating for what he believes to be best practices and pushing for improvements. His persistence in gathering information keeps projects moving, and his willingness to stand up for his colleagues shows his strong sense of loyalty. His adaptability and drive make him a determined and engaged team member."
Julie Epperson
Project Manager at Next Level Solutions
"I've had the opportunity to work with Micah, and his tenacity and commitment to his work are undeniable. He is highly detail-oriented and holds himself to a high standard of quality in his own approach. Micah isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, advocating for what he believes to be best practices and pushing for improvements. His persistence in gathering information keeps projects moving, and his willingness to stand up for his colleagues shows his strong sense of loyalty. His adaptability and drive make him a determined and engaged team member."
Julie Epperson
Project Manager at Next Level Solutions
"I've had the opportunity to work with Micah, and his tenacity and commitment to his work are undeniable. He is highly detail-oriented and holds himself to a high standard of quality in his own approach. Micah isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, advocating for what he believes to be best practices and pushing for improvements. His persistence in gathering information keeps projects moving, and his willingness to stand up for his colleagues shows his strong sense of loyalty. His adaptability and drive make him a determined and engaged team member."
Julie Epperson
Project Manager at Next Level Solutions
"I met Micah while working in the high-stakes world of real estate investment management. Micah’s calm demeanor and steely-eyed focus was a rare find I was fortunate to have in my court. Creative and intelligent, I could always count on Micah for communication-pieces which elevated my messaging and sharpened my thinking. You will count yourself as very fortunate to work alongside Micah, a guide and co-creator, dedicated to unleashing your highest potential."
Ken Robertson
Asset Manager at KBS Realty Advisors
"I met Micah while working in the high-stakes world of real estate investment management. Micah’s calm demeanor and steely-eyed focus was a rare find I was fortunate to have in my court. Creative and intelligent, I could always count on Micah for communication-pieces which elevated my messaging and sharpened my thinking. You will count yourself as very fortunate to work alongside Micah, a guide and co-creator, dedicated to unleashing your highest potential."
Ken Robertson
Asset Manager at KBS Realty Advisors
"I met Micah while working in the high-stakes world of real estate investment management. Micah’s calm demeanor and steely-eyed focus was a rare find I was fortunate to have in my court. Creative and intelligent, I could always count on Micah for communication-pieces which elevated my messaging and sharpened my thinking. You will count yourself as very fortunate to work alongside Micah, a guide and co-creator, dedicated to unleashing your highest potential."
Ken Robertson
Asset Manager at KBS Realty Advisors
"Micah would make a great addition to any team! They are easy to get along with and were always on top of their communication. Their ability to interface with the client and keep the stakeholders on track during meetings helped us use time efficiently while still making them feel heard. They were sure to ask all the right questions when going through ideation for our iOS/android app, set proper and transparent expectations, and were very quick in turning around designs."
Justin Calloway
Project Manager at Nexus Brands Group
"Micah would make a great addition to any team! They are easy to get along with and were always on top of their communication. Their ability to interface with the client and keep the stakeholders on track during meetings helped us use time efficiently while still making them feel heard. They were sure to ask all the right questions when going through ideation for our iOS/android app, set proper and transparent expectations, and were very quick in turning around designs."
Justin Calloway
Project Manager at Nexus Brands Group
"Micah would make a great addition to any team! They are easy to get along with and were always on top of their communication. Their ability to interface with the client and keep the stakeholders on track during meetings helped us use time efficiently while still making them feel heard. They were sure to ask all the right questions when going through ideation for our iOS/android app, set proper and transparent expectations, and were very quick in turning around designs."
Justin Calloway
Project Manager at Nexus Brands Group