Engineering Taught Me to Build—
Design Taught Me to Care
When I started engineering school in 2018, I was surrounded by problem-solvers. My friends and I thrived on building and testing new creations, always excited to find solutions. Every time I tried a product, the engineers would explain how it worked—until one day, they didn’t.
I was handed a robot with no instructions, no guidance—just me and the machine. I pressed buttons, tried different inputs… nothing made sense. That’s when it hit me: What’s the point of innovation if people can’t use it?
Years later, I stumbled upon Susan Dray’s quote:
"If the user can't use it, it doesn’t work."
I had learned that lesson the hard way.
Years later, my 80-year-old grandmother struggled with video calls, online banking, and grocery apps. What felt effortless to me was overwhelming for her. The problem wasn’t her—it was technology that wasn’t designed for people like her.
That’s when I knew: I didn’t just want to build things. I wanted to design things that worked for everyone.
So, I pursued a master’s in Human-Computer Interaction from Indiana University Bloomington, where I learned to design with purpose. Technology was always meant to make life easier, but true innovation happens when it’s accessible, intuitive, and built with people in mind.
Engineering taught me how to build. Design taught me to care. And now, I create with both in mind.
My Design Philosophy
Clarity Over Complexity
Good design should never make people stop and think, “What do I do next?” I believe in crafting intuitive experiences where every interaction feels natural and effortless. If users need instructions, the design has already failed. My goal is to create products that guide users seamlessly, eliminating confusion and cognitive load.
Designing for Real People
A product is only as good as its ability to serve the people using it. I design with empathy, prioritizing real user needs over assumptions. This means diving deep into research, understanding diverse perspectives, and ensuring that every decision—big or small—enhances usability and accessibility.
Reducing Friction, Enhancing Flow
The best designs feel invisible because they don’t get in the user’s way. I focus on minimizing unnecessary steps, streamlining interactions, and creating experiences that integrate smoothly into people’s lives. A well-designed product shouldn’t demand effort—it should just work.
