Currently Lead UX/UI Designer at DISH Network, shaping products for 12M+ subscribers.
12M+ users impacted · Top 3% Toptal · 1M+ course views · 12+ years experience
I'm Olha Bahaieva, a Staff-level Product Designer with 12+ years of experience, but UX/UI wasn't my first discipline. I started in interior design and architecture, learning how people move through physical space on projects like a hotel's hall layout and room wayfinding, designed in 3ds Max.
Physical space carries a different kind of risk than digital design, a mistake can't be quickly patched. That pushed me toward a faster-iterating discipline. I built a design portfolio through 99designs (reaching top-tier status) and Behance, moved into web design, then taught myself UX/UI, later earning a Gold win in Interactive Design at the Indigo Design Awards along the way.
Today, I lead UX/UI at DISH Network and, as a top 3% Toptal designer, create products used by 12M+ people.
Beyond product design, I teach UX/UI to 1M+ learners and founded UX Designers Club, a design community to help other designers grow their careers.
I design for business outcomes, not just wireframes — because at enterprise scale, great UX must move metrics. That instinct traces back to interior design: a floor plan either helps people move through a space or it doesn't, and a product either helps people get something done or it doesn't. Same question, different material.
From an early career in visual and interior design, to UX/UI roles across telecom and hospitality in Europe, to leading product design for Fortune 200 scale at DISH Network today — with Toptal's top 3% freelance work running alongside it since 2018. Ten roles, one throughline: turning complex, high-stakes products into something people can actually use. I'm now focused on Staff+ product leadership roles and select freelance partnerships that call for that same range.
With a passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring others, I have had the privilege of speaking at various industry events and conferences. My presentations aim at empowering fellow professionals and advancing design field.
I've had the honor of serving as a judge for prestigious design competitions and awards. My role involves evaluating and providing feedback on innovative designs and emerging trends, ensuring that exceptional work receives recognition.
I’ve been recognized with numerous awards for outstanding design work, reflecting my commitment to excellence and innovation in UX/UI design. These accolades highlight my ability to create impactful, user-centered designs.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call
Tell me what you're building.
I'll tell you how I can help and exactly what it will cost.
Currently taking new clients · Typical start: 1–2 weeks from contract
