Hello again!
Guiding Philosophy
Design is a human act.
Honor the human.
Understand the system.
Design with care.
I believe the most meaningful experiences are created at the intersection of emotion, systems, and shared understanding. I design with people, not just for them.
I listen deeply, collaborate intentionally, and hold space for contradiction, vulnerability, and truth. Whether I’m working with smallholder farmers in the Himalayas, an Indigenous community at the border of two nations, or mapping complex service journeys.
Core Principles
1. Build Trust, Not Just Insights
I believe in slow, relational research. I build trust before asking questions, and create feedback loops that empower the people I design with, not just for. Whether in the field or in workshops, I listen deeply, hold space for vulnerability, and design in collaboration, not isolation.
2. Context Matters, Always
Behavior is never just behavior. I look for the cultural, emotional, and systemic forces that shape how people act, adapt, and resist. My work draws from anthropology and lived reality not just frameworks to make sure we’re designing for real lives, not ideal ones.
3. Stay Curious. Stay Flexible.
Curiosity is my compass. I ask better questions before chasing faster answers. I trust proven methods, but I’m not afraid to break them when they don’t serve people. Good design is responsive and so is my process.
Experience
I've worked with government agencies, smallholder farming communities, and Indigenous populations across South Asia—navigating complex stakeholder
relationships and cultural systems. I collaborate best with organizations that value research rooted in trust, cultural intelligence, and systemic understanding.
MANO
Design Consultant
2022 – Now
Spotify
Senior Designer
2021 – 2022
Martin Taylor
Freelance Designer
2019 – 2021
Shrink
UI/UX Designer
2018 – 2019
IBM
Design Intern
2016 – 2017
Services
My research practice is rooted in anthropology, trust, and systems thinking.
I don't just document what people do—I uncover why they do it, and how cultural and emotional forces shape every decision.
This depth of understanding turns research into strategic direction.
Ethnographic Research & Cultural Intelligence
Deep qualitative research that uncovers the cultural, emotional, and systemic forces shaping behavior. I go beyond surface observations to understand how context, history, and unspoken rules influence decisions.
Strategic Research Leadership
Research strategy that aligns user needs with organizational goals. I help cross-functional teams identify what questions to ask, which methodologies to use, and how research can drive product and business decisions.
Complex Systems Mapping & Behavioral Analysis
Mapping how individual behaviors connect to larger systems—cultural, economic, organizational. I translate complexity into clarity, revealing patterns and friction points that inform systemic solutions, not just surface fixes.
Trust-Based Research & Stakeholder Engagement
Slow, relational research that builds trust before asking questions. I navigate complex stakeholder relationships—from government agencies to marginalized communities—creating feedback loops that empower participants and uncover insights traditional methods miss.
