Recommendations mentioning user focus.

I worked very closely with Michael on designing the interactions and user experience on Paperpal features. Much of the trademark Scandinavian simplicity and intuitiveness that you experience on Paperpal is due to Michael's clean aesthetic. Edutech applications can be highly specialized and complex, and there's a bit of a learning curve; Michael's layperson POV helped us innovate and take more risks on — he never once felt compelled to copy from the competition. Throughout the time we worked together, Michael also supported product with UXR initiatives including prototype tests that helped us get a better idea about our users and their needs. Above all, I appreciated working with a designer I could riff ideas off, instead of just working in a directive fashion.

I've had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Michael for several years, and in that time, I've come to recognize him as one of the most dedicated and talented UX designers I've ever encountered. Michael's designs are not just visually appealing; they are user-centric, intuitive, and always aligned with the latest trends and best practices in the design world. His commitment to staying updated with design news, new products, apps, and services ensures that his work is always at the forefront of innovation. Beyond his technical prowess, what truly sets Michael apart is his character. His easygoing nature makes him a joy to collaborate with, fostering a positive and productive work environment. His passion for design extends beyond the workplace, as evidenced by his commendable volunteer work, where he leverages his skills to contribute to causes that make the world a better place. In a world where design can make or break user experiences, having Michael on your team guarantees that users will not only be satisfied but delighted :-)

During my year and change at Cactus, I had the delight to work together with Michael as my closest colleague. Not only is Michael an immensely talented, thoughtful and creative product designer, he is also an extremely compassionate and warm man who helps elevate others to be their most valuable and happy selves. Michael's ability to think on his feet and involve the team in the design process leads to designs that are eminently usable both to the team and to the users. His eye for user understanding and needs, cohesion and good usability are absolutely stellar. If you need a designer who champions thoughtfulness, humanity and imagination, you need look no further than Michael Lajlev.

I have had the pleasure of working with Michael for over a year at Cactus Communications, and I can confidently say that he is an exceptional product designer with a broad knowledge of design and development of digital products. He is a team player who is always eager to work with others to turn an idea into reality. Additionally, Michael is motivated by the goal of building great products that solve real-world problems for users, and he is always looking for ways to measure and test the effects of product changes on user behavior. Michael's background in social science gives him a deep understanding of human behavior and how to create engaging digital products. In his current role as a senior product designer at Cactus Communications, Michael has led the design for a web and Word add-in that enhances the writing experience for academic authors worldwide. His skills in ideation and brainstorming, proof-of-concept development, requirements definition, and working with product managers are outstanding. Beyond his technical skills and expertise, Michael is a joy to work with. He is an engaging, collaborative, and straightforward person who is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure the success of a project. I have no doubt that he will be an asset to any team.

Michael came to work for SOS International in the spring 2018. Already from very start Michael was a true ambassador for the end-user. His relentless search for end-user value has made a significant impact on products. In addition, Michael is great team player and contributor to an innovative and open culture. It's been a privilege working together with Michael.

Michael is passionate about doing things in a way that makes the end result feel sharp and genuinely useful for the user. He is happy for a solution to be simple, as long as the user is left with the impression that we, as the provider, did our very best to help them with the need they had. That is why Michael immerses himself in the user's situation and combines it with his deep insight into trends and technical possibilities, so he can create the best possible user experience. Michael is never afraid to challenge the established way of doing things — both the solutions we are about to land on and the routines and habits we have built up in the workplace. Maybe it can be even better if we do something different or unexpected? Michael is a great colleague who often takes the initiative on social activities at work. On the whole, he places great value on the connection between the work-related and the social. Michael is not a typical nine-to-five employee; instead, you will very often find that he has come up with interesting new angles on the solutions outside so-called normal working hours.

This recommendation is translated from Danish.

I hired Michael in Mobilethink both because of his personality and skill level. Michael is a really cool guy to be around and he has a really good vision for questioning and improving the assignments he is given. He is not someone who just gets a task and leaves at 4, but someone who can really make a difference in the products you are trying to create — both technically and from user experience point-of-view. He is a rare combination of a good frontend developer and a good designer, which I really like. I was really sad to see him leave Mobilethink and hope to work with him again in the future.

I've had the privilege of working with Michael on a number of projects at Mobilethink. He shows extensive care for the user experience and has an eye for simplistic design that communicates well to all. In addition to being an absolute pleasure to work with, Michael has a great sense of humor and makes any place joyous.

Michael Lajlev has been working as a digital product manager at Center for Digital Youth Care for one year from May 2013 to June 2014. I have been very pleased with Lajlevs commitment and determination to make a difference for children and young people digitally. He has made a great effort to upgrade our counselling platforms Cyberhus.dk and Netstof.dk with new user-friendly features and interactions. He has also been responsible for our digital team, where he has solved digital productions for our customers with great satisfaction and a great outcome. Lajlev has been excellent at cutting to the core of digital projects, focusing on customer satisfaction and profits. Lajlev is a very flexible, co-operative and professionally skilled employee — and it has been of great value for all of us "soft humanists" at CfDP to have an IT tech geek like Lajlev on the team. He has been a good and focused leader for his team — and a great colleague to the rest of the organization's employees. A person we could always count on and who has supported the organization's values. We will miss "Lillefar" on the team and his warm mood and positive energy — but we send him off with the best recommendations, knowing that he will continue to keep an eye on our digital work in the future.

Michael has been associated with Cyberhus as a volunteer and on ad hoc paid web projects since 2008 — and is still involved in both capacities. At Cyberhus, Michael works on a wide range of web-related tasks. He is the guide for our virtual IT workshop, where his job is to update and develop the space's web pages for children and young people. In addition, he has been (and still is) involved in several ad hoc web projects and processes at Cyberhus. Michael approaches a task with great seriousness, creativity, and a focus on the target group's needs — along with a good dose of humour. We greatly value Michael's personality and his contribution to Cyberhus.

This recommendation is translated from Danish.