Open to opportunities

Nicole Couto

@nicolecouto

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I design scalable fintech and B2B products, design systems, and design-to-code workflows.

Brazil

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What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead product design, design systems, and design-to-code delivery for complex fintech, B2B, or SaaS products, partnering closely with product and engineering teams to turn difficult workflows into scalable, usable experiences.

At PactFi, I established product foundations as a founding designer for a complex fintech platform spanning four product teams and roughly 130 product flows. I lead the Product Design System, reducing the prior component inventory by approximately 30% while improving shared design and frontend implementation practices.

I've designed complex workflows for onboarding and KYC, document and entity management, fund structures, permissions, reporting, automation, approvals, allocations, facilities, and fund flows. I use interviews, usability testing, and analytics review to turn product complexity into clear, documented, implementable experiences.

Previously, I led UX at PayCertify across payment gateways, fraud-management products, and virtual-card experiences, managing and mentoring four designers. I also led discovery and design workshops at ThoughtWorks and helped launch the first mobile experience for Resale.com.br.

Across fintech, enterprise software, ecommerce, and startups, I partner closely with product, engineering, founders, and executives. I strengthen delivery through Figma-to-code mapping, Storybook documentation, frontend reviews, pull requests, and AI-assisted prototypes.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Lead Product Designer - Design Systems & AI Workflows

Current

PactFi

Aug 2021 - Present (5 years)

Established product foundations as a founding designer for a complex fintech platform, leading the evolution of the Product Design System with 23 active component families. Designed complex workflows across onboarding/KYC, document management, fund structures, and permissions, while mentoring a six-person design team.

Design Systems Figma Storybook UX Research Usability Testing Analytics Frontend Review Design Tokens Accessibility

Current

Founder, Product Design & UX Strategy Consultant

Current

Ideaslab Technology

Jan 2015 - Present (11 years 7 months)

Lead product definition, UX strategy, discovery, information architecture, prototyping, and validation for startups and product teams. Translate business objectives into clear product structures and design documentation for cross-functional teams.

Product Strategy UX Strategy Information Architecture Prototyping Workshop Facilitation

Product Designer

dashfi

Apr 2021 - Oct 2021 (6 months)

Designed fintech product flows, wireframes, prototypes, UI design, and provided implementation support.

Fintech Design Wireframing Prototyping UI Design

Head of UX Design

PayCertify

Jan 2019 - Dec 2020 (1 year 11 months)

Managed and mentored four designers across payment gateway, fraud-management, and virtual-card products. Led product strategy, information architecture, research, and design system co-creation to strengthen consistency and delivery.

UX Leadership Design Systems Information Architecture UX Research Analytics Product Strategy Mentor

Senior Experience Designer Consultant

ThoughtWorks

Mar 2016 - Jun 2018 (2 years 3 months)

Led discovery and design workshops with global cross-functional teams on enterprise product and ecommerce engagements. Applied UX strategy, facilitation, information architecture, and interaction design to complex consulting projects.

UX Strategy Workshop Facilitation Information Architecture Interaction Design Product Thinking User Research

Principal Designer & Partner

Resale.com.br

Jul 2015 - Aug 2017 (2 years 1 month)

Led product concept, UX architecture, interaction design, and visual design for the first iOS and Android releases of a real-estate marketplace. Established the product foundation from idea to launch.

Product Design UX Architecture Interaction Design Visual Design Mobile Design