Max Burlak

I help teams create, structure, or improve design systems so design and engineering can move faster with consistency and scalability.This service is focused on building a practical, production-ready system, not just a UI kit. The goal is to reduce design debt, standardize decisions, and make it easier for teams to ship features.Depending on your current stage, I can help with:1. Design system foundationToken architecture (color, spacing, typography, radii, shadows)Semantic token structureLight / dark theme setupNaming conventions and scalability2. Component systemCore UI components and variantsStates, interactions, and behaviorComponent documentationDesign patterns for common flows3. Product integrationAligning the system with the existing productRefactoring inconsistent UI patternsReducing design debtPreparing components for engineering implementation4. Scaling the systemFigma component architectureVariables and token managementCollaboration with engineeringPreparing the system for libraries like Tailwind / ShadCN or similar frameworksDeliverables may include:token architecture, Figma component library, documentation, UI patterns, and scalable design guidelines.Best suited for startups and product teams that want to standardize UI, speed up development, and maintain product consistency as they scale.Tools: Figma, design tokens, variables, and AI-assisted workflows to accelerate system creation.

I work as a fractional design and product partner embedded with your team to accelerate product development and improve key areas of the experience.This engagement is designed for companies that need senior-level design and product thinking without hiring a full-time lead.I typically operate in two modes:1. Embedded execution (parallel stream)I work alongside your team to move the roadmap forward and unblock priorities:Product design for new featuresUX improvements across existing flowsDesign system and component improvementsRapid prototyping and validationCollaboration with engineering and product2. Strategic exploration & researchI can independently investigate opportunities and evaluate the product from a fresh perspective:UX and product auditsIdentifying friction points and growth opportunitiesUser journey and funnel analysisConcept development for new features or directionsProduct strategy inputThis model works well when you need senior product design capacity, fast iteration, and independent thinking without slowing down your internal team.Deliverables may include: product concepts, UX flows, prototypes, design specs, research insights, and prioritized improvement recommendations.Tools commonly used: Figma, FigJam, AI prototyping tools, analytics insights, and close collaboration with product and engineering teams.

I help founders and teams turn an idea or early concept into a validated, build-ready MVP. Acting as your product and design partner, I define the right scope, structure the product, and deliver high-quality UX/UI ready for development.Using AI-accelerated workflows, I can move significantly faster than traditional design processes while maintaining strong product thinking and design quality.Typical scope includes:• Clarifying the core problem, target users, and MVP scope• Defining product structure, key user flows, and feature priorities• Designing core screens and product interactions• Creating an interactive prototype for validation• Preparing developer-ready design filesThe goal is to design the right MVP, not just produce screens — ensuring the product is focused, testable, and ready to build.Deliverables may include:MVP feature map, UX flows, product structure, UI screens, interactive prototype, and design specifications.Best suited for startups, founders, and teams preparing a product for development, fundraising, or early user testing.Tools: Figma, FigJam, AI-assisted design workflows, and rapid prototyping tools.