Priyanka
Somasundaram
A Tamil girl from India
Hello there!
I am a UX Researcher and Designer, Software Engineer, Great Dreamer, Fearless Explorer,
And ....
Believer, who believes that simplified designs have the power to improve lives.
My passion lies in exploring how integrating design and engineering can make technology more accessible, user-friendly, and beneficial for individuals and society creating a positive impact on user experiences.
My Transformation Journey
Curiosity sparked my interest in the design of everyday electronic appliances, and I wondered about the process behind making daily activities more efficient. This curiosity naturally drew me towards the electronics field. Consequently, I chose to pursue a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering due to my interest in the integration of software and hardware.
What is my background?
What was I doing before?
Taking on new challenges, I joined Accenture as an Associate Software Engineer to expand my skills. During my training, I had the opportunity to work on a project where I designed a mobile banking application for users, using query language. This experience marked my initial venture into the field of design.
While collaborating with the client, Pfizer Inc., I served as an application management services Tech support, addressing user issues and communicating solutions. Despite my IT role, I felt a creative void and explored diverse opportunities. That's when I got an invite to participate in a workshop, where I built an online shopping site using the 'Appian Designer' tool, sparking my interest in design. The experience of thinking innovatively and creating a user-friendly product inspired me to shift gears and pursue a career as a designer.
How User experience design interested me?
What did I do to get into UX designing?
In the pursuit of becoming a designer, I joined a startup company, Fore Brain Technologies Pvt. Ltd. as a Software Engineer. I worked with different IT Sector clients and played a pivotal role as a UX researcher and designer by consulting with clients to understand business needs, designing a prototype to construct a website that connects job-seeking professionals with the IT sectors in need of qualified personnel.
Taking a significant leap, I decided to pursue a master's in UX design. Driven by a keen interest in UX research and design, I opted for IUPUI and enrolled in the Human-Computer Interaction course, which had a strong research focus. Throughout the program, I successfully completed over 14 projects across various courses. These hands-on experiences deepened my understanding of UX design, providing me with valuable insights and practical skills to excel in the field.
What I have been working on?
What am I now?
I am now a graduate in Human-Computer Interaction and actively pursuing roles as a UX Researcher/Designer. I have played pivotal roles as a UX researcher and designer throughout my academic and industry projects. These experiences have underscored the significance of considering user and business needs, emphasizing accessibility and inclusivity in every project I undertake. I am passionate about applying these insights in real-world scenarios and contributing to creating user-centric and inclusive design solutions.
We know that Engineering and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) are two fields that often intersect, especially in the development of technology and user-centered systems. How can engineering aspects be seamlessly integrated into a user-centric journey, and in what ways can Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) principles be incorporated to enhance engineering interfaces?
What I am curious about?
Like people said .....
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ― Leonardo da Vinci
"Design is the intermediary between information and understanding." ― Hans Hofmann
I believe that .....
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By interacting with diverse people and adopting new approaches, we may create a more streamlined user experience.
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Simplified designs bridge the gap between complexity and accessibility by encouraging individuals who are less technologically adept to use the products and services.
What makes me happy?
Accomplishments I take pride in..
University Innovation Fellow - d.school, Stanford University
As a Stanford University Innovation Fellow (UIF) at IUPUI, I actively drove change within the university community. My collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs aimed to enhance student engagement across diverse schools on campus.
Capstone Project- Best Project in HCI and Web/IoT/Apps Categories'23
Collaborated with Johnson Controls to revamp the onboarding process, transforming it into a user-centric journey. Competed with over 200 students to win the Best Project for Web/IoT/Apps category in '23.
Executive Member - IDEA Club, IUPUI
Being a member of this club provided me the chance to join UIF and act as a change agent for the university. We collaborated with the Division of Student Affairs to enhance student engagement across diverse schools on campus. Additionally, the club facilitated events such as design thinking workshops for students.
