Yazen Almasri
Yazen Almasri
UI | UX Designer
UI | UX Designer
Experience
I’m a UI/UX Designer with nearly a decade of experience spanning design, development, and QA in the games industry. I have led end-to-end UI pipelines for cross-platform game projects, collaborating with engineers, artists, and designers to deliver intuitive, visually cohesive systems within a variety of engines. My work balances strong visual storytelling with technical optimization, ensuring seamless player experiences across all devices.
History
Discord | UI UX Designer | Jan 2021 - June 2025
Code Candy Studios | Founder & Game Developer | June 2016 - Jan 2021
Gearbox Software | Quality Assurance | Feb 2015 - June 2016
Discord | UI UX Designer | Jan 2021 - June 2025
Code Candy Studios | Founder & Game Developer | June 2016 - Jan 2021
Gearbox Software | Quality Assurance | Feb 2015 - June 2016
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Portfolio
what I can do for you
As a digital designer, I am a visual storyteller, crafting experiences that connect deeply and spark creativity.
1. Design Immersive Game Interfaces
Create seamless HUDs, menus, and progression systems
Balance clarity and style to communicate complex systems
Prototype and test flows that keep players focused on gameplay
Adapt designs to different platforms (PC, console, mobile)
2. Build Scalable UI Art & Systems
Develop consistent iconography, typography, and visual languages
Maintain style guides and design libraries that scale with content
Ensure UI art complements the overall game aesthetic
Collaborate with engineers to implement polished, performant UI
3. Enhance Player Experience & Engagement
Translate mechanics into intuitive player-facing UI.
Use feedback and analytics to refine onboarding and retention
Design features that encourage progression and replayability
Focus on accessibility to ensure every player can enjoy our games
4. Collaborate Across Disciplines
Bridge designers, artists, and engineers to align gameplay and UI
Communicate design intent clearly to keep teams in sync
Work iteratively, incorporating playtest data and team feedback
Champion a player-first mindset in all design decisions
1. Design Immersive Game Interfaces
Create seamless HUDs, menus, and progression systems
Balance clarity and style to communicate complex systems
Prototype and test flows that keep players focused on gameplay
Adapt designs to different platforms (PC, console, mobile)
2. Build Scalable UI Art & Systems
Develop consistent iconography, typography, and visual languages
Maintain style guides and design libraries that scale with content
Ensure UI art complements the overall game aesthetic
Collaborate with engineers to implement polished, performant UI
3. Enhance Player Experience & Engagement
Translate mechanics into intuitive player-facing UI.
Use feedback and analytics to refine onboarding and retention
Design features that encourage progression and replayability
Focus on accessibility to ensure every player can enjoy our games
4. Collaborate Across Disciplines
Bridge designers, artists, and engineers to align gameplay and UI
Communicate design intent clearly to keep teams in sync
Work iteratively, incorporating playtest data and team feedback
Champion a player-first mindset in all design decisions
Recommendations
Recommendations
Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!
Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!Matthew Burke
Senior Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
I’ve worked with a lot of folks over the years, but Yazen stands out for a very specific reason: he never WAITED to be asked.
He’d actively seek out tasks — not just the ones in his lane, but anything he thought could use a hand. He genuinely enjoyed being busy, and not once did I hear him shy away from something unfamiliar. If it was new, uncharted, or outside his comfort zone, all the better. He’d dive in with curiosity and confidence, and just figure it out. As a manager, that mindset is GOLD. I never had to convince him he was capable — Yazen already believed it, and he always delivered.
He’s calm under pressure, consistent, thoughtful, and incredibly team-oriented. During our time together at Discord Games R&D, he became one of those rare people you could count on without hesitation. The kind of person who makes things better just by showing up and getting to work.
Any team would be lucky to have him. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to work with him again.
Patrick Ollila
Staff Designer, Product Designer
Managed Yazen at Discord
Yazen was a key part of our small but mighty team at Discord. We collaborated on the look, style, and implementation of UI across a wide range of projects.
Throughout the game development process, we faced plenty of challenges—technical hurdles, UX flow issues, even switching engines mid-project. In every case, Yazen was at the forefront of finding solutions and giving the project a much-needed boost. He consistently brought a positive attitude and a "whatever it takes" mindset to get things right.
I also worked closely with him across various art and design tasks. He continually leveled up his skills, building on past experiences and constantly surprising me with his growth and talent.
Yazen blends strong art and design abilities with technical know-how. He’s quick to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies—so much so that I often turned to him for technical guidance myself. He’s well-spoken, collaborative, and fun to work with. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again!Sarah Besserer
UI | UX Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen was my partner in crime on the UI team, and working alongside him was one of the best parts of my time at Discord. He brings an incredible breadth of knowledge to the table—his understanding of UI design patterns, game mechanics, and player behavior consistently drove designs that were not only trendy, but also deeply creative and player-focused. He has a sharp instinct for what makes interfaces feel good and intuitive, and always centered the user in every design decision.
Yazen worked incredibly hard and was genuinely easy to work with—a rare and powerful combo. He approached every task with focus, curiosity, and fresh perspective, often pushing our designs to be more thoughtful and effective than they would have been otherwise. He was a constant source of new ideas and always found ways to reframe challenges in ways that made the work stronger. When we swapped engines mid-project, he picked up Cocos Creator quickly and ran with it—proving how adaptable and capable he is when thrown into new territory. He’s a fast learner, a strong contributor, and someone who consistently shows up with both creativity and execution.
Yazen was a core part of the UI team—someone people turned to again and again when things got complicated or when a trusted voice was needed. He added so much to our culture as well—bringing humor, energy, and a grounded presence that made our team better on every level.
Any team would be lucky to have him. He’s a designer who blends systems thinking with deep empathy and creative drive—and someone you definitely want in your corner. I can only hope that one day we get to work together again!Juan Martinez
Lead Technical Game Designer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the chance to work with Yazen at Discord where I was a game designer and he was our go-to UI Artist. Yazen is the kind of teammate you can always count on. He works fast, delivers on time, and brings a sharp eye to every detail, especially when it comes to performance optimizations.
I handed off some pretty large tasks with minimal guidance and he always pulled them off with impressive results. He readily offers help to others and manages his time exceptionally well.
Yazen is also a highly skilled gamer and we often relied on his feedback when making game design decisions. He understands what makes a game feel great and how that experience should be reflected in the visuals.
Working with Yazen was a great experience and any team would be lucky to have him.Tina Kalinger
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
Yazen is that rare kind of UI/UX designer who not only delivers high-quality work with speed and precision, but also deeply understands the *why* behind every design decision. It wasn't enough to complete a task and check it off his list, he also took the time to ensure he was delivering something that fit the big picture.
As a UI/UX designer, he brings technical excellence and a strong sense of ownership to everything he touches. Whether it was implementing complex UI systems, optimizing performance across platforms, or collaborating closely with designers to bring interactions to life, Yazen always went above and beyond. He had an eye for detail and a relentless drive to improve both the product and the process.
Overall, he was a fantastic addition to any project. He was communicative, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to support the broader team. He made everyone’s work better. Designers felt heard, producers feel confident, and the entire development process felt smoother when he was in the mix. I can’t recommend Yazen enough.Claire Rizzo ( Villarreal )
Producer
Worked with Yazen on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Yazen on a wide range of first-party Activity projects at Discord, including Chess, Checkers, Letter League, Sketch Heads, Know What I Meme, Bobble League, Poker Night, Putt Party, Spark Hero Tactics, Wordle, and more.
Yazen was a key contributor to UI/UX across all titles on both Desktop, Mobile and Tablets—creating thoughtful mocks, layouts, menus, buttons, and interaction states while ensuring consistency and usability throughout. He has a great sense for when quick, functional designs are needed versus when to push for polish and iteration.
He’s a thoughtful UI designer who balances user needs with technical and production realities. Yazen takes feedback graciously but isn't afraid to advocate for smart UX decisions, and explain the "why" behind his design and choices -- always with professionalism and clarity.
Beyond design, he consistently went above and beyon with playtesting, capturing screenshots/screen recoding assets, and offering qualitative feedback that often led to real improvements both on his projects and on titles he was not actively working on. As a producer and QA manager, this with incredibly helpful to me and to the Activity projects overall.
Yazen is a talented, collaborative, and dependable UI designer, and I’d gladly work with him again!