Gabriela Salas-Vargas

Experience Designer, Business Strategist & Multipassionate Entrepreneur

I’m an experience designer with over 20 years of expertise helping brands and businesses turn ideas into impactful digital and service solutions. As a consultant, strategist, and creative partner, I support global companies and startups in identifying opportunities, innovating with purpose, and building user-centered products.

My approach blends design thinking with business strategy—combining research, visual storytelling, and digital optimization to create experiences that resonate with people and drive meaningful growth.

What I do

I work as a strategic design partner in projects involving product, service, and digital media design.

From research and strategy to crafting interfaces, experiences, and visual identities, I lead collaborative processes that balance user needs with business goals.

Using a Human-Centered Design framework, I develop innovative, accessible, and high-impact solutions applied to:

  • Websites, mobile apps, e-commerce & design systems

  • Product components, dashboards & UI design

  • Brand strategy & digital content

  • Presentations, marketing campaigns, photography & video

  • E-learning and educational experiences

Cross-industry, cross-border experience

I’ve collaborated with international design, tech, and strategy teams across 10+ countries, contributing to projects in areas like:

  • UX/UI for Network Engineering and AIOps (Google)

  • Real Estate E-commerce (Zonda)

  • UI Design in Banking (CitiBank)

  • SaaS Platforms (Cohesity)

  • E-learning (SweetRush)

  • Customer Experience (OnePlace Interior Design)

  • Digital Marketing & Health Brand Development

Brands I’ve worked with:

Google, Microsoft, Citibank, Accenture, Audible, HPE, eBay, Firestone, Sanofi, USAA, SweetRush, Zonda, SoftwareFX, SpaceBander, SportsRoasters, and more.

Education & Lifelong Learning

I hold a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Costa Rica and have always leaned into the business side of design—learning from startups, leadership practices, and innovation frameworks. I’ve completed studies in UX, Design Thinking, Social Innovation, Business Administration, and Agile methodologies through platforms like UPEACE, IDF, Skillshare, Philanthropy University, Lynda, Udemy, and SDI Institute and Asuntos Digitales Online School.

Community & Mentorship

I’m passionate about sharing knowledge. I’ve taught web design at CETAV and Universidad Creativa, spoken at WordCamp Costa Rica, and facilitated Brand Strategy workshops using UX frameworks at local universities.

Today, I’m actively involved in Costa Rica’s growing UX community, mentoring peers, leading workshops, and co-creating learning spaces to support others in thriving within the design field.

I design experiences that connect people, ideas, and businesses.

If you’d like to collaborate, invite me to speak, or explore a strategic partnership—let’s talk.