Vernard Mercader is a multidisciplinary UX Designer and Frontend Engineer focused on building accessible, high-performance digital interfaces. With a background spanning user research, information architecture, interaction design, and frontend systems, he works comfortably at the intersection of design and code.
Working in tech since 2006, Vernard has led user experience efforts across industries including enterprise SaaS, e-commerce, healthcare, and public sector platforms. His dual fluency in Figma-based design systems and frontend development (React, TypeScript, Material UI) enables him to take projects from discovery to delivery with seamless handoff and stakeholder alignment.
Whether embedded with engineering teams or collaborating with marketing, Vernard’s work is grounded in usability, accessibility, and a deep respect for standards. His skillset bridges the gap between creative and technical domains, supported by a strong foundation in analytics, inclusive design, and agile delivery.
He holds a government clearance while working on high-security government contracts, and continues to apply those principles of precision, structure, and trust across every project he leads.
Expertise
‣ Design Thinking Process
‣ Mixed-method research design
‣ Behavioural analytics (cohort, funnel, retention, RFM)
‣ Insight synthesis frameworks (affinity mapping, thematic analysis)
‣ SEO Data Analysis
‣ Interaction, motion, and microcopy standards
‣ Information architecture
‣ Accessibility & Inclusive Design (Section 508 & WCAG Standards)
‣ DesignOps / ResearchOps frameworks
‣ Privacy engineering (GDPR, CCPA, FedRAMP)
‣ Vendor evaluation, RFPs, and procurement for UX tooling
‣ TAM/SAM/SOM analysis
‣ Competitive landscaping
‣ Disruptive-tech scanning
‣ Mixed-method research design
‣ Behavioural analytics (cohort, funnel, retention, RFM)
‣ Insight synthesis frameworks (affinity mapping, thematic analysis)
‣ SEO Data Analysis
‣ Interaction, motion, and microcopy standards
‣ Information architecture
‣ Accessibility & Inclusive Design (Section 508 & WCAG Standards)
‣ DesignOps / ResearchOps frameworks
‣ Privacy engineering (GDPR, CCPA, FedRAMP)
‣ Vendor evaluation, RFPs, and procurement for UX tooling
‣ TAM/SAM/SOM analysis
‣ Competitive landscaping
‣ Disruptive-tech scanning
Mid-Level UX
‣ Prototyping
‣ Visual Design
‣ User Research
‣ Usability Testing (1994b, Nielsen 10 Usability Heuristics)
‣ Visual Design
‣ User Research
‣ Usability Testing (1994b, Nielsen 10 Usability Heuristics)
Engineering Literacy
‣ Frontend Stacks (PHP, React, Angular, Vite, Unit Testing, Laravel, Git)
‣ Responsive Web Design
‣ Design Systems Maintenance (Twitter Bootstrap, Material UI, HTML5, CSS3, Preprocessors: Sass/SCSS & Less)
‣ DevSecOps pipelines (CI/CD, IaC, container hardening, SBOM)
‣ Responsive Web Design
‣ Design Systems Maintenance (Twitter Bootstrap, Material UI, HTML5, CSS3, Preprocessors: Sass/SCSS & Less)
‣ DevSecOps pipelines (CI/CD, IaC, container hardening, SBOM)
Tools
‣ Figma
‣ Adobe XD
‣ Sketch
‣ Miro
‣ Illustrator
‣ Photoshop
‣ Premiere Pro
‣ After Effects
‣ InDesign
‣ Adobe Experience Manager
‣ Adobe XD
‣ Sketch
‣ Miro
‣ Illustrator
‣ Photoshop
‣ Premiere Pro
‣ After Effects
‣ InDesign
‣ Adobe Experience Manager
Experience
UX Design Lead (UI Engineer)
Oteemo
Reston, Virginia (Remote)
May 2023 – Present
• Led the 2023 redesign of the Vulnerability Assessment Tracker (VAT), improving usability by up to 30% based on stakeholder projections.
Oteemo
Reston, Virginia (Remote)
May 2023 – Present
• Led the 2023 redesign of the Vulnerability Assessment Tracker (VAT), improving usability by up to 30% based on stakeholder projections.
• Improved interface clarity and user flow, contributing to stronger engagement and satisfaction.
• Worked alongside UX designers, developers, and project managers in USAF Platform One to apply user-centred design principles and build dynamic UI components.
• Delivered accessible, performant interfaces using React-TypeScript, meeting W3C and Section 508 standards.
• Worked alongside UX designers, developers, and project managers in USAF Platform One to apply user-centred design principles and build dynamic UI components.
• Delivered accessible, performant interfaces using React-TypeScript, meeting W3C and Section 508 standards.
Senior UX Designer
M Corp
Sacramento, California (Remote)
Dec 2021 – Apr 2023
• Increased user sessions by 346.12% (Google Analytics) by leading UX research, accessible design, and development for CDPH’s CAIRHub interface.
• Used Figma to build wireframes and prototypes aligned with stakeholder-driven design goals.
• Supported frontend development (Angular and ReactTS), ensuring HTML5/CSS3 compliance and accessibility.
M Corp
Sacramento, California (Remote)
Dec 2021 – Apr 2023
• Increased user sessions by 346.12% (Google Analytics) by leading UX research, accessible design, and development for CDPH’s CAIRHub interface.
• Used Figma to build wireframes and prototypes aligned with stakeholder-driven design goals.
• Supported frontend development (Angular and ReactTS), ensuring HTML5/CSS3 compliance and accessibility.
Lead UI/UX Designer
SAIC, Federal Contractor to the USAF
Las Vegas, Nevada
Apr 2020 – Dec 2021
• Improved intel operator task response times through research and design of the ‘ShROUD’ application, as noted in the 2021 CO’s report for USAF’s Shadow Operations Center (ShOC).
• Led requirements gathering and scenario planning after receiving TS Clearance.
• Mentored junior team members and championed accessibility and Agile practices.
SAIC, Federal Contractor to the USAF
Las Vegas, Nevada
Apr 2020 – Dec 2021
• Improved intel operator task response times through research and design of the ‘ShROUD’ application, as noted in the 2021 CO’s report for USAF’s Shadow Operations Center (ShOC).
• Led requirements gathering and scenario planning after receiving TS Clearance.
• Mentored junior team members and championed accessibility and Agile practices.
UX Lead & Frontend Developer
GetDocsNow
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jan 2019 – Mar 2020
• Redesigned the member site’s UX, increasing client engagement by 2%.
• Developed features using ASP.NET, C#, ReactJS, Node.js, and Gulp (e.g., live chat, responsive layouts).
• Handled backend debugging in C# and SQL, resolving user issues and improving UX.
• Identified UX pain points with stakeholders and improved the frontend build pipeline.
GetDocsNow
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jan 2019 – Mar 2020
• Redesigned the member site’s UX, increasing client engagement by 2%.
• Developed features using ASP.NET, C#, ReactJS, Node.js, and Gulp (e.g., live chat, responsive layouts).
• Handled backend debugging in C# and SQL, resolving user issues and improving UX.
• Identified UX pain points with stakeholders and improved the frontend build pipeline.
UX Designer & Lead Frontend Developer
ActionCOACH Global Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jun 2017 – Jan 2019
• Delivered the 2018 redesign of ActionCOACH.com, increasing organic traffic by 27% and direct traffic by 2% (5K+ sessions/quarter).
• Built a scalable WordPress Multisite template informed by UX research and competitor audits.
• Engineered custom PHP features, plugins, and Laravel-based backend systems.
ActionCOACH Global Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jun 2017 – Jan 2019
• Delivered the 2018 redesign of ActionCOACH.com, increasing organic traffic by 27% and direct traffic by 2% (5K+ sessions/quarter).
• Built a scalable WordPress Multisite template informed by UX research and competitor audits.
• Engineered custom PHP features, plugins, and Laravel-based backend systems.
Senior UX Developer & MIS operations
Superdraft Pty Ltd (Australia)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Remote)
Aug 2015 – May 2017
• Conducted UX research to inform the redesign of superdraft.com.au, resulting in a 13% increase in traffic.
• Launched viz360.com.au, architecturecentre.net, and archix.com.
• Handled MIS responsibilities, including network setup and local security for architectural workstations.
Superdraft Pty Ltd (Australia)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Remote)
Aug 2015 – May 2017
• Conducted UX research to inform the redesign of superdraft.com.au, resulting in a 13% increase in traffic.
• Launched viz360.com.au, architecturecentre.net, and archix.com.
• Handled MIS responsibilities, including network setup and local security for architectural workstations.
Senior Developer
Whitetower Digital
Sydney, NSW, Australia (Remote)
Sep 2014 – Jul 2015
• Launched over five websites for small business clients [1] [2], managing SEO and digital strategy.
• Built custom templates using WordPress, AEM, PHP, and Laravel.
• Worked on UX research with the social media team and improved GA implementation.
• Delivered projects using Agile/Scrum frameworks.
Whitetower Digital
Sydney, NSW, Australia (Remote)
Sep 2014 – Jul 2015
• Launched over five websites for small business clients [1] [2], managing SEO and digital strategy.
• Built custom templates using WordPress, AEM, PHP, and Laravel.
• Worked on UX research with the social media team and improved GA implementation.
• Delivered projects using Agile/Scrum frameworks.
Freelance work
Self-Employed
Remote
Jul 2013 – Aug 2014
• Designed and launched sites for GJKFixIt.com, DWCLawFirm.com (Seattle), and author J. Quel.
• Handled end-to-end design: UX discovery, branding, content planning, front-end, and CMS setup.
• GJKFixIt saw a 40% increase in service inquiries in Q1 post-launch.
• Delivered WordPress sites with HTML/CSS and Adobe tools, optimised for usability and client handoff.
Self-Employed
Remote
Jul 2013 – Aug 2014
• Designed and launched sites for GJKFixIt.com, DWCLawFirm.com (Seattle), and author J. Quel.
• Handled end-to-end design: UX discovery, branding, content planning, front-end, and CMS setup.
• GJKFixIt saw a 40% increase in service inquiries in Q1 post-launch.
• Delivered WordPress sites with HTML/CSS and Adobe tools, optimised for usability and client handoff.
Multimedia Specialist & Web Developer
Talyst
Kirkland, WA, USA
Sep 2008 – Jul 2013
• Designed the INSITE medication dispenser and canister system.
• Produced advertising storyboards and multimedia content.
• Updated website analytics and strategy, contributing to a $4M sales deal.
• Managed and maintained company website content.
Talyst
Kirkland, WA, USA
Sep 2008 – Jul 2013
• Designed the INSITE medication dispenser and canister system.
• Produced advertising storyboards and multimedia content.
• Updated website analytics and strategy, contributing to a $4M sales deal.
• Managed and maintained company website content.
Multimedia Producer
Intava
Bellevue, WA
Aug 2006 – Aug 2008
• Created 3D graphics and product animations for mobile hardware.
• Managed photography, editing, and vector illustration for product instruction.
• Developed interactive elements using Flash ActionScript.
Intava
Bellevue, WA
Aug 2006 – Aug 2008
• Created 3D graphics and product animations for mobile hardware.
• Managed photography, editing, and vector illustration for product instruction.
• Developed interactive elements using Flash ActionScript.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Interaction Design
École Supérieure des Arts de l'Image Le 75
École Supérieure des Arts de l'Image Le 75
Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design
ITT Tech-Everett
ITT Tech-Everett
Associate of Applied Science in Multimedia/Design
ITT Tech-Everett
ITT Tech-Everett
Certification
Adobe Certified Expert
Date: Oct 2012
Institution: New Horizons (Seattle, WA)
Date: Oct 2012
Institution: New Horizons (Seattle, WA)
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
Date: Oct 2021
Google Career Certificates
Date: Oct 2021
Google Career Certificates
(2023-MAY-31) My Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is INTJ-A (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging — Assertive). As an INTJ, I draw my energy from within. I prefer not to start conversations and listen to others rather than seek the limelight. This unique personality trait is well-suited for User Experience (UX) work, as it allows me to empathize with people by genuinely focusing on their needs and perspectives, rather than making the interaction about myself.
I value intellect, rationality, and logic are my guiding principles. Independence and self-reliance are deeply ingrained in my nature, efficiency, and organization are critical to my approach, decisiveness is one of my strengths, and perseverance and determination define my character. I make good friends with people who value facts, empirical evidence, and the process of scientific methodology.
Disclaimer: I'm only attaching a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to let people get a glimpse of my style of working and sociability. The tests ask you questions about your social behaviours and, if answered honestly, can turn out to be quite telling about oneself. However, I am aware that Personality types tests, like this, have faced controversy due to limited scientific evidence, concerns about validity and reliability, the potential for overgeneralization and stereotyping, inflexibility, and the failure to account for contextual influences on behaviour. Critics argue that these models oversimplify human complexity and may restrict personal growth. While personality types can provide a starting point for self-reflection, they should not be viewed as definitive labels or strict determinants of behaviour. Approach them with a critical perspective, recognizing the limitations and understanding that individual experiences and contextual factors play a significant role in shaping personality. Though, at least be grateful I didn't offer you my Horoscope.
Test History:
2020: INTJ-A
2018: INTJ-A
2016: ISTP
2013: INTJ-A
2010: INTJ-A
2018: INTJ-A
2016: ISTP
2013: INTJ-A
2010: INTJ-A
Organization Analysis & Design (OAD Survey)
I was fortunate that Oteemo offered us a survey to help identify our professional behavioural profiles. Here are my results from the 2023 OAD survey that I took.
This Clearance information was extracted from the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) and made available through this site. This page is protected. To view it, please request access.
Why did I write in 3rd person? Psst… SEO.