Hi, I'm Leilani!

Hi, I'm Leilani!

Hi, I'm Leilani!

I am a User Experience Designer with a background in psychology. I solve complex human problems through research, experimentation and thoughtful design.

Currently pursuing an MS in Human-Computer Interaction at DePaul University and working as a UX Intern at PUSH Studio.

I am a User Experience Designer with a background in psychology. I solve complex human problems through research, experimentation and thoughtful design.


Currently pursuing an MS in Human-Computer Interaction at DePaul University and working as a UX Intern at PUSH Studio.

Based in Chicago, IL

Based in Chicago, IL

Leilani Hedstrom

Featured Projects

Featured Projects

Project Lead | IMPACT Grant Winner

Mobile AR experience enabling self-guided campus exploration through location-based information.

AR • Product Design • Mobile UX • Research • Prototyping

Premium UX Template for Framer

Project Lead | IMPACT Grant Winner

Mobile AR experience enabling self-guided campus exploration through location-based information.

AR • Product Design • Mobile UX • Research • Prototyping

UX Internship | PUSH Studio

AI-assisted career exploration concept showing how conversational AI and recommendations simplify fragmented discovery.

AI UX Product Design Interaction Design Usability Testing

UX Internship | PUSH Studio

AI-assisted career exploration concept showing how conversational AI and recommendations simplify fragmented discovery.

AI UX Product Design Interaction Design Usability Testing

Premium UX Template for Framer

Academic Project

Fact-checking concept that reduces the effort required for users to verify credibility on social media.

UX Research • Interaction Design • Mobile Design

CSVR Trainer Sam

Academic Project

Fact-checking concept that reduces the effort required for users to verify credibility on social media.

UX Research • Interaction Design • Mobile Design

UX Internship | PUSH Studio

Designed VR onboarding that enables campus safety officers to train independently, reducing reliance on technical staff.

VR Experience Design • Instructional Design • Usability Testing

yellow and white balloons on orange surface

UX Internship | PUSH Studio

Designed VR onboarding that enables campus safety officers to train independently, reducing reliance on technical staff.

VR Experience Design • Instructional Design • Usability Testing

About Me

About Me

✦ Open to Work ✦ Open to Work
about me photo
about me photo

My Career Journey

My Career Journey

I have a background in psychology with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. I spent 8 years in talent acquisition and human resources, where I focused on candidate experience and became an in-house expert in recruiting technologies and hiring processes. That work sparked my interest in designing better systems and experiences, which led me to pursue a Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction.

I currently work as a UX Intern at PUSH Studio at DePaul University, where I focus on research and design for emerging technologies such as AR, VR and AI. As I move forward in my career, I’m looking forward to refining my voice in design while creating experiences rooted in human understanding.

I have a background in psychology with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. I spent 8 years in talent acquisition and human resources, where I focused on candidate experience and became an in-house expert in recruiting technologies and hiring processes. That work sparked my interest in designing better systems and experiences, which led me to pursue a Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction.


I currently work as a UX Intern at PUSH Studio at DePaul University, where I focus on research and design for emerging technologies such as AR, VR and AI. As I move forward in my career, I’m looking forward to refining my voice in design while creating experiences rooted in human understanding.

Relevant Experience

Relevant Experience

User Experience Intern

Sep 2024 - Present

User Experience Intern

Sep 2024 - Present

Research Apprentice

Research Apprentice

Intern, Innovation and Digital Transformation

Jan 2024 - May 2024

Intern, Innovation and Digital Transformation

Jan 2024 - May 2024

Education

Education

MS in Human-Computer Interaction

MS in Human-Computer Interaction

MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

BA in Psychology

BA in Psychology

Tool Stack

Tool Stack

Skills

Skills

Heuristic Evaluation

Heuristic Evaluation

User Interview

User Interview

User Observation

User Observation

Information Architecture

Information Architecture

Design Systems

Design Systems

Wireframing

Wireframing

Iterative Design

Iterative Design

Accessibility standards (WCAG)

Accessibility standards (WCAG)

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Instructional Design

Instructional Design

Storytelling

Storytelling

Prototyping

Prototyping

+ More

+ More

Life Outside of Work

Life Outside of Work

In 2021, I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,600+ mile wilderness route stretching from Mexico to Canada. That journey profoundly inspired me, ultimately giving me the courage to pursue a career change. When I’m not outdoors, I enjoy exploring Chicago, reading, running, and spending time with my partner and our two cats.

In 2021, I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,600+ mile wilderness route stretching from Mexico to Canada. That journey profoundly inspired me, ultimately giving me the courage to pursue a career change. When I’m not outdoors, I enjoy exploring Chicago, reading, running, and spending time with my partner and our two cats.