With 10 years of experience, I am a highly motivated Design Leader skilled in end-to-end problem solving, from research to pixels, using user-centric methods, for enterprise products, consumer apps and websites.

An effective collaborator and communicator, I thrive on conceptual and strategic analysis, immersing into complexity, and rapidly visualizing the details. Working in corporate and agency environments, I have led research and design projects for a broad range of clients including early startups and established brands like AT&T, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Michelin, Fifth Third Bank, P&G, and more.

I have delivered innovative solutions to different types of UX challenges. Some of the problems I have addressed: enterprise financial transactions, complex data display, service ecosystems, Voice UI, IoT mobile apps, customer relationship programs, backend admin systems, workflow enhancements, global website redesigns, and cause-driven marketing campaigns, among others.

Whether Waterfall or Agile, my design process is driven by understanding users, framing the problem, and iteratively visualizing solutions – all combined with the understanding of business requirements and knowledge of good design principles.

Design Aesthetics, Beyond the Visual

With a background where design process has always been more important than design result, I see design as a much larger idea than a practical tool. I am passionate about understanding design aesthetics, beyond the visual. What makes a product beautiful beyond what you see on a screen? How should we design products that deliver meaning, enhance human relations, and convey deep emotions, apart from function and utility?

With this curiosity, I have an interest in applying human-centered disciplines like psychology and economics to design of interfaces that support complex human behaviors and interactions. I occasionally tweet interesting learnings via @interactionA.

Interdisciplinary Background

In 2009, I graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master's degree in Information Science with dual specializations in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Information Economics Management and Policy (IEMP). I also hold BA in Economics from the University of Delhi in India. My training involved interdisciplinary studies in social sciences, user-centered design, and human behavior. 

Economics and Interaction Design

My background in economics helps me in understanding basic human motivations that manifest in digital interaction environments. Fundamentally, economics tells us how to organize social institutions such that private interests of people are met while conforming to larger social goals. With the arrival of social media websites, user interfaces mediate interactions between people. Such interfaces have assumed a role similar to social institutions.

If we want to design products for social and human activities, we have to identify and balance deeper individual interests with collective, social goals. Because such balance is difficult to achieve, role of economic theory is central to the success of such interfaces.

I believe this background uniquely contributes to my thinking, and bolsters my toolkit in becoming a thoughtful human interactions designer.