
At one point, I lived at the intersection of biology and code. Realizing that my true passion is using that same research and design practice to bring ease and simplicity to our lives, I made a home for myself in human-centered design.
I bring 5+ years of industry design experience, working at Fortune 500 companies, a startup, and the occasional gig. I’m also a life-long visual artist and you can find me working on my illustration practice outside of my 9-to-5 (and sometimes inside of it). I love making things as much as I love understanding other people.
I’m always looking for opportunities to learn, grow and work with cool people. I also love video games, nature walks, and petting cats.
Experience
Freelance Designer & Illustrator
Jan 2022 - Current
I took a break from my corporate design career to rest, travel, and explore my illustration practice full-time. I run a small business selling my artwork and independently designed merchandise, and provide illustration and design services to individuals, retailers, and mission-driven organizations.
View my full illustration portfolio here.
Product Designer @ HealthJoy
July 2024 - Aug 2025
Digital healthcare and benefits navigation ecosystem with over 1 million users. I was a design owner across two initiatives within the product org: client-facing dashboard (B2B) and member-facing communications (B2B2C).
UX Design Co-op → UX Designer → Senior UX Designer @ AT&T
Jan 2020 - June 2024
Worked in the Design Technology org, which functioned as an internal design consultancy.
Production Design Intern @ Walt Disney Imagineering
June 2019 - Aug 2019
Developed concept designs for Walt Disney Resorts Epcot Theme Park.
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Graduated 2020
B.S. Computational Biology
Certificates in Computer Science and Digital Art
Recognition
2x AT&T Connections Award Winner
2022, 2023
Recognized for significant individual achievements and high performance towards organizational priorities that demonstrate AT&T's cultural pillars.
Walt Disney Imaginations Competition Finalist
2019
Team design project selected as one of top 6 entries from over 260 submissions nationwide.
Get in touch: vastronoto.ah@gmail.com
© Vanessa Astronoto 2026