Mia M.

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About Me

The Bridge Between Cognition and Conversion

I am a Product Designer at the intersection of Cognitive Science and Systems Thinking. My approach is rooted in understanding the "why" behind human behavior to solve the "how" of enterprise-scale business challenges. Whether I’m architecting Trust Architecture for a $6B retailer or pioneering AI-integrated design systems, I focus on one thing: making complex technology feel human.

What am I like as a Designer?

At Academy Sports + Outdoors, I lead high-traffic optimizations that have delivered over $22.7M in incremental sales. I thrive in the "discomfort" of complex technical constraints, working alongside C-suite leaders to align business goals with user-centric solutions. Beyond the screen, I am a mentor at heart—having led teams of 20+ designers at Rice Design—dedicated to lowering the barrier to entry for the next generation of creative technologists.

Why Design?: From Necessity to High-Stakes Design

My journey into design began with a drive for resourcefulness. As a First-Gen student and Latina, I’ve always understood that design isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about access and impact. I transitioned from Bioengineering to Cognitive Science at Rice University because I saw a gap in how digital products serve humans. Since my university didn’t have a UX major, I built my own—combining Human-Factors Engineering with Computer Programming to create a curriculum focused on Rigorous Empathy.

What about outside of design?

In my free time, you can definitely find me baking, crocheting, and reading. When I can, I love to travel. I lived in Rome for 4 months, so (please, I beg of you) ask me about it!

Still Curious About Me?

Here are some of my favorite things (:

My Bookshelf

WUTHERING HEIGHTS

The Creative Act Cover

Heartburn

Principles of UX Cover

The Stranger

App Icon Book Cover

Bunny

Jony Ive Cover

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Kinfolk Entrepreneur Cover

Just Kids

Grid Systems Cover

My Favorite Records

contact me at miamapuladesign@gmail.com

Mia Mapula

contact me at miamapuladesign@gmail.com

Mia Mapula