Mihaela Eftene | About Me

Hey There, I’m Mihaela

Helping B2B and B2C businesses drive social impact in mental health, education, and social causes.

With 12 years of design experience—10 in graphic and 2 in product—I specialize in social impact, focusing on mental health, social causes, and education (ed-tech). I blend my passion for accessibility and storytelling to craft products that are functional and delightful, striking the right balance between user needs and business goals, so every user feels seen, heard, and understood.

Resume

More About Me: Growth, Storytelling, and a Passion for Meaningful Impact

Design from Day One: Turning Pixels into Possibilities

My love for design started early. In high school, I immersed myself in coding, animation, 3D modeling, and web design, exploring every pixel-related opportunity. This passion led me to a multimedia program in college, where I transitioned from creating visuals to crafting meaningful experiences in both Graphic Design and web development.

From Pixels to Purpose: Graphic Design to Purposeful Design

Graphic Design was a strong start, but I wanted more purpose in my work. University pushed me beyond aesthetics when I took on the role of a developer and designer, creating prototypes in Arduino. This experience shifted my focus to the “why” behind each design, sparking my passion for research and user-centered design.

During COVID, my thesis centered on building accessible products that addressed real-world needs like mental health support and education, creating solutions that were both visually appealing and deeply meaningful. Feel free to read it here :)

View Thesis

Designing for a Cause: Climate Change and Mental Health

Working with the CSU in university, I saw firsthand how design could drive social impact. I helped create a sustainable agenda focused on climate change, reaching over 40,000 students. During the COVID pandemic, I led a mental health campaign to support students through tough times. These projects deepened my commitment to using design for causes like mental health, education, and social change.

Redefining Design: Growth Through Social Impact

Product design took me beyond aesthetics, guiding me to focus on the “why” behind every decision. All of my experiences as a designer and wearing many hats deepened my dedication to creating products that tell a story, not just in their functionality but also in their purpose. For me, design is like storytelling—a journey of continuous growth, where each step gets you closer to crafting solutions that resonate, uplift, and make a real difference for users and communities. Whether through climate change initiatives, mental health awareness, or educational resources, my focus remains on building meaningful and inclusive products that address real needs while keeping accessibility at the core.

If my story resonated with you and you’re looking for a designer dedicated to making a real impact in mental health and social causes while balancing user needs with business goals—let’s connect :)

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Where I have been so far: