Hey, I’m Malia.
Product Designer in Los Angeles. 12+ years turning ambiguity into experiences that feel obvious — by working across the whole problem, not just the interface.
My design approach
Systems-first
I start by mapping the whole problem before touching a single screen — where users get stuck, where the data disagrees with the assumption, where a fix in one place breaks something downstream. The best solutions come from seeing the system, not just the flow.
Cross-functional by default
I work shoulder-to-shoulder with PMs, engineers, and data — pulling in evidence early, testing assumptions before they’re expensive, prototyping quickly to test concepts, and making sure what ships actually holds up in the real product.
High bar for craft
Simple doesn’t mean easy. I push past the first workable answer to the one that feels inevitable — and I hold that line whether it’s a new feature, core flow, or an easy-to-skip edge case.
Outcome-oriented
I don’t design from a hunch. I bring in usage data, user feedback, and past results to pressure-test ideas with whomever I’m working with — before they turn into real work.