Veruzka Oropeza

THE TRACTION STUDIO

Traction for AI products. We turn complex tech into clarity, value, and adoption.

Is your product underperforming? Struggling to convert?

Most teams don’t fail because the model is weak, they struggle because the UX is unclear, the value is hidden, and adoption stalls.

I help startups uncover the friction, clarify the experience, and design systems that actually move the needle.

Unlike most designers, I’ve shipped AI products from 0→1 and survived two full redesigns, scaling, acquisition, agentic UX, and real users.

I know what works, what breaks, and how to get traction fast.

Through strategic audits and short, high-impact design sprints, I bring clarity, confidence, and adoption.

Scroll down to learn more or book a free consult.

MY process

My process turns messy product problems into clear, monetizable solutions, with you in the loop.

01 Understand the System

I analyze technical constraints, user context, and product architecture to ask the right questions early. What are we solving, and why? I map mental models and workflows to design from clarity, not assumptions.

02 Define Success

I align with Product, Engineering, and GTM on what success looks and feels like, behavior change, system trust, and simplified AI flows. Clear goals guide smart design.

03 Research Patterns and Gaps

I study structures, not just screens, mental models, technical flows, and user friction. Competitive audits and interviews reveal where complexity lives, and where it can be cut.

04 Architect and Explore

I explore early solutions through low-fidelity flows, but I also sketch structural patterns: how the system behaves, how user roles intersect, and how AI should reveal or hide its work. Divergence here sets the stage for smarter, scalable UX.

05 Build with Engineers

I embed early with engineering to shape better systems. We question old assumptions, map mental models, and co-create flows that reduce friction from the start.

06 Iterate with Intention

Not all parts of the process move at the same pace. I deliberately balance speed and depth, prototyping fast when the path is clear, and slowing down when details, trust, or alignment feel nebulous.

07 Test Like a System Owner

I test real flows, edge cases, and model behavior. Especially in AI, I validate not just the interface, but how the system earns trust and delivers value.

08 Ship, Refine, Scale

I polish for launch but stay engaged, spotting friction, evolving patterns, and scaling clarity as the product grows. Delivery is the beginning, not the end.

01 Understand the System

02 Define Success

I align with Product, Engineering, and GTM on what success looks and feels like, behavior change, system trust, and simplified AI flows. Clear goals guide smart design.

03 Research Patterns and Gaps

I study structures, not just screens, mental models, technical flows, and user friction. Competitive audits and interviews reveal where complexity lives, and where it can be cut.

04 Architect and Explore

05 Build with Engineers

I embed early with engineering to shape better systems. We question old assumptions, map mental models, and co-create flows that reduce friction from the start.

06 Iterate with Intention

Not all parts of the process move at the same pace. I deliberately balance speed and depth, prototyping fast when the path is clear, and slowing down when details, trust, or alignment feel nebulous.

07 Test Like a System Owner

I test real flows, edge cases, and model behavior. Especially in AI, I validate not just the interface, but how the system earns trust and delivers value.

08 Ship, Refine, Scale

I polish for launch but stay engaged, spotting friction, evolving patterns, and scaling clarity as the product grows. Delivery is the beginning, not the end.

01 Understand the System

02 Define Success

I align with Product, Engineering, and GTM on what success looks and feels like, behavior change, system trust, and simplified AI flows. Clear goals guide smart design.

03 Research Patterns and Gaps

I study structures, not just screens, mental models, technical flows, and user friction. Competitive audits and interviews reveal where complexity lives, and where it can be cut.

04 Architect and Explore

05 Build with Engineers

I embed early with engineering to shape better systems. We question old assumptions, map mental models, and co-create flows that reduce friction from the start.

06 Iterate with Intention

Not all parts of the process move at the same pace. I deliberately balance speed and depth, prototyping fast when the path is clear, and slowing down when details, trust, or alignment feel nebulous.

07 Test Like a System Owner

I test real flows, edge cases, and model behavior. Especially in AI, I validate not just the interface, but how the system earns trust and delivers value.

08 Ship, Refine, Scale

I polish for launch but stay engaged, spotting friction, evolving patterns, and scaling clarity as the product grows. Delivery is the beginning, not the end.

01 Understand the System

02 Define Success

I align with Product, Engineering, and GTM on what success looks and feels like, behavior change, system trust, and simplified AI flows. Clear goals guide smart design.

03 Research Patterns and Gaps

I study structures, not just screens, mental models, technical flows, and user friction. Competitive audits and interviews reveal where complexity lives, and where it can be cut.

04 Architect and Explore

05 Build with Engineers

I embed early with engineering to shape better systems. We question old assumptions, map mental models, and co-create flows that reduce friction from the start.

06 Iterate with Intention

Not all parts of the process move at the same pace. I deliberately balance speed and depth, prototyping fast when the path is clear, and slowing down when details, trust, or alignment feel nebulous.

07 Test Like a System Owner

I test real flows, edge cases, and model behavior. Especially in AI, I validate not just the interface, but how the system earns trust and delivers value.

08 Ship, Refine, Scale

I polish for launch but stay engaged, spotting friction, evolving patterns, and scaling clarity as the product grows. Delivery is the beginning, not the end.

Services

High-impact design strategy to help your product gain traction, fast. From quick audits to hands-on sprints, I work with teams to remove friction, clarify the UX, and unlock growth.

Clarity Audit

Fast, focused feedback on what’s not working and how to fix it.

A 1–2 day audit to surface friction, missed opportunities, and actionable UX improvements.

What’s included:

• UX teardown (1 flow or screen)

• Loom walkthrough with insights

• 1–2 redesign concepts or clarity recommendations

Best for:

Early-stage startups, MVPs, product leads with questions, solo builders

Book a free consult.

Traction Sprint

Fast, focused feedback on what’s not working and how to fix it.

A 2–4 week sprint to fix what’s blocking growth and design clarity that converts.

What’s included:

• Discovery & friction-mapping session

• UX clarity audit of product/flow

• Lo-fi to hi-fi design concepts

• Prototype (Figma or Framer)

• Loom walkthrough & next steps plan

Best for:

Startups struggling with activation, monetization, or PMF

Book a free consult.

AI Product Accelerator

Turn AI capability into real user value, fast.

A 3-6 week engagement to diagnose adoption issues, uncover opportunities, and prototype workflows that convert.

What’s included:

• AI UX product evaluation (flows, trust, explainability)

• Data & usage review (activation, drop-off, friction)

• Competitive patterns & heuristics

• Light user research (founder + user feedback)

• Prototype (Figma or Framer)

• Usability testing & feedback

• Clear recommendations for adoption

Best for:

AI startups with a model or capability, but flat adoption or unclear value.

Founders who need clarity on why users aren’t sticking and how UX can unlock traction.

Book a free consult.

CODED PROTOTYPE

A live, functional prototype of the sprint outcomes, ready for demos, testing, and investor decks.

A 1–2 week add-on to the Traction Sprint or AI Product Accelerator.

What’s included:

• High-fidelity coded prototype (Framer or React)

• Interaction + animations

• Clickable flows you can show and test

• Embed for pitch decks or landing pages

• Loom walkthrough + handoff package

Best for:

Founders who need to show value, not just explain it.

Book a free consult.

Is your product underperforming? Struggling to convert?

MY process

MY process

MY process

MY process

01

Understand the System

02

Define Success

03

Research Patterns and Gaps

04

Architect and Explore

05

Build with Engineers

06

Iterate with Intention

07

Test Like a System Owner

08

Ship, Refine, Scale

01

Understand the System

02

Define Success

03

Research Patterns and Gaps

04

Architect and Explore

05

Build with Engineers

06

Iterate with Intention

07

Test Like a System Owner

08

Ship, Refine, Scale

01

Understand the System

02

Define Success

03

Research Patterns and Gaps

04

Architect and Explore

05

Build with Engineers

06

Iterate with Intention

07

Test Like a System Owner

08

Ship, Refine, Scale

01

Understand the System

02

Define Success

03

Research Patterns and Gaps

04

Architect and Explore

05

Build with Engineers

06

Iterate with Intention

07

Test Like a System Owner

08

Ship, Refine, Scale

Services

Services

Services

Services

Clarity Audit

Traction Sprint

AI Product Accelerator

CODED PROTOTYPE

discover

discover

work