About Ralaworks
Dan Ralabate
Owner, Lead UX & Graphic Designer
My goal in life is to help create an exceptional user experience (both digital and tangible) my customers would be proud of. To achieve this objective, it’ll take research, teamwork, dedication, and a desire to always challenge myself to improve.
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Hard Work - According to multiple sources, the honey bee one of the top hardest working animals in the world*. As "worker bees", we strive to combine the efforts of working hard AND working smart to achieve our objectives for every client.
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Identity - Dan isn't very keen on bees, wasps, hornets, or yellowjackets in general. Their stings hurt and cause everyone within 5 feet to typically scatter in fear. At Ralaworks, we do the opposite. We embrace our fears as part of our identity, and look to them as challenges we will need to overcome.
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Purpose - With the honeybee, it's important to focus more on it's purpose versus our instinctual fear of the flying insect. The honeybee's main purpose is to pollinate, carrying pollen from male to female plants. "It is estimated that three-quarters of flowering plants require pollinators in order to produce fruit."** This animal teaches us to look beyond its initial defense mechanism that frightens us, and to admire the significance it plays in our day-to-day lives. At Ralaworks, this reiterates 2 simple things: never judge a book by its cover, and always stay focused on the client's objectives. Believing in these 2 simple philosophies had never let us down.
See for yourself
There's more!
Art & Creative Direction
Project Management
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Producing Photoshoots
General Graphic Design
Design Consulting & Web Critique
Team Collaboration
Presenting & Public Speaking
Work Experience & Education
Senior UX Designer @ Walmart Inc.
Hoboken, NJ (remote) 07.21 - present
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Deliver UX solutions for merchants to increase efficiency and utilize data-based recommendations to help them manage their pricing, cost, competitor, and assortment needs
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Utilize various steps of the UX process:
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reviewing PRD’s
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conducting user research and persona development
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wireframing and whiteboarding
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designing high-fidelity Figma screens
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assembling a prototype
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presenting and hand off to engineers, developers, and project managers
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coordinating user acceptance testing
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collecting feedback for future iterations
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Provide UX design and creative direction for Walmart anomaly detection, configuration, supplier negotiation, and catalog management tools such as Mantis (an accuracy tools that normalize, classify, and organize all items on Walmart.com).
Owner, Lead UX & Graphic Designer @ Ralaworks
Southington, CT 04.17 - present
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Partner with over 25 small businesses and agencies to achieve an exceptional user experience for their brands
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Manage a team of developers, designers, and photographers to meet client project needs
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Provide creative direction in website construction, branding, email marketing, event marketing, print and package design, SEO guidance, and video production
Lead Designer @ Puracy
Austin, TX (remote) 01.19 - 06.21
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Provided creative direction and design solutions to enhance the Puracy customer shopping experience; manage our marketing and assets for Amazon listings
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Managed designers and team leadership to update our evolving brand packaging and labels
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Produced shot lists, storyboards, and provide art direction for company photo and video shoots
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Provided UX/UI direction and design for Puracy.com with the ultimate goal of a superb and intuitive user experience
Senior Media Designer @ Alden Image
Shelton, CT 02.13 - 03.17
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Designed, wireframed, and constructed prototypes of user experiences for web and mobile devices
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Designed, developed, and managed intranet websites, logo studies, and marketing campaigns via digital and print media
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Organized and facilitated company presentations
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Managed external print production
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Worked primarily with Altria (Richmond, VA), along with various other event marketing accounts
Freelance Web & Graphic Designer
Southington, CT 07.09 - 03.17
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Provided creative services for small businesses and entrepreneurs
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Established brand identities through comprehensive logo studies, package design, and product labels
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Designed digital and print promotional materials
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Designed, built, and managed small business websites
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Worked with Puracy (Austin, TX), InvestingAnswers (Austin, TX), Rosenberg Law Firm (Stratford, CT), Nebraskaland (Bronx, NY), and many other small businesses and start-up companies
Creative Services Manager @ LifeCare
Shelton, CT 01.12 - 02.13
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Oversaw graphics department by managing internal and vendor production
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Created, organized, and distributed company electronic and printed promotional materials
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Provided creative direction for all Sales department initiatives
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Worked primarily with Disney, Walmart, ADP, FedEx, Pixar, Aetna, and the Federal Government
Graphics & Production Specialist @ LifeCare
Shelton, CT 03.10 - 01.12
Bachelor of Arts, Interactive Digital Design
Double Minor in Marketing & Fine Arts
09.05 - 05.09
API Study Abroad Program
Focus on Fine Arts
02.08 - 06.08
Meet the Team
That's right....I have the best team in the world. No better group to rely on for endless support and compassion than my own family!
When I'm not glued to the computer screen or mobile device, my interests are typically centered around 3 things: family, food, and sports.
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As a New York Yankees and New York Giants fan, I've had my fair share of joy and sorrow. I enjoy a good round of golf, a competitive game of men's softball, or even a solid draft (yes...fantasy sports and a beer off-tap).
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I enjoy everything about food: cooking, dining, grocery shopping, new recipes, and cultural palette testers!
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Whenever I can, I love coaching and playing baseball with my son Vince, while dancing and singing with my daughter Vivi. And when the dust has settled and the kids aren't driving us crazy, nothing is more peaceful than that first cup of coffee with the wife, Amanda. I have very little to complain about!