Fiber and Faith

PAULINA CANDELEJO, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER

I am a proud Newark native who has journeyed through the entire Newark education system, from public schools to earning my degree in User Experience Design from The New Jersey Institute of Technology. Growing up and learning in this vibrant city has deeply influenced both my personal and professional life.

During high school, I had the privilege to work at The Newark Museum through the Newark Explorers Program, a college and career readiness initiative for Newark students. As a bilingual tour guide, I led exhibitions in both English and Spanish, helping to create an inclusive and educational environment for visitors from diverse backgrounds. This experience strengthened my passion for art, culture, and community engagement, while also honing my communication and public speaking skills.

Professionally, I work as a User Experience Designer with experience at Verisk Analytics. I have been involved in analyzing use cases and scenarios to improve workflows, developing task flows, and documenting insights during workshops and usability testing. I design and code interactive high-fidelity prototypes, ensuring clear documentation for product development. I also manage and maintain design systems and collaborate closely with product teams on ideation, design, and validation to enhance customer experience.

Bringing together my love for art and technical expertise, I create installations soon to be large scale and graphic designs that celebrate culture, heritage, and community. My multidisciplinary background allows me to approach my work with both creativity and a user-centered mindset.