About me

Hello there,

I’m Aishwarya, a Product Designer currently shaping design solutions at Crunchr, an Amsterdam-based scale-up. Originally from India, I now call the Netherlands home.

I would call myself a T-shaped designer, possessing hands on experience in User Research, UX and Visual Design spectrums, however my see myself inclining towards Product, Business and UX design.

Background

I began my career as a Business/Data Analyst, using tools like Excel and R. However deep down, I’ve always been a visual thinker, passionate about solving problems visually. I think in terms of flowcharts, diagrams and visuals. I did work as a Salesforce developer at one point. Didn’t quite enjoy it. Then I moved on to being a Business analyst where I would have to gather user requirements and translate them in developer requirements. It is during this time, I realised how much I enjoyed understanding user needs - building stuff that actually solve problems. And that was my calling into UX!

What I enjoy as a Product Designer

Whiteboarding

Solving problems - Balancing product, tech and UX

Reading design books

Being part of early discovery stages with Product

My approach to design

My approach is not just about creating user-friendly experiences; I also critically analyze and solve for business needs and technical constraints, ensuring solutions have a holistic influence and are practical.

I find inspiration in everyday UX interactions, from the OV Chipkaart system facilitating seamless public transport in the Netherlands to the intuitive self-checkout counters in department stores, and even the cleverly designed garbage bags with built-in threads for easy knot tying. Inspiration and clever design is everywhere! These small, thoughtful details captivate me and fuel my passion for design.

My design philosophy

The why

Design does not begin at sketching to me. It begins from discovery. Before jumping into designs I make sure to ask the right questions to business and validate painpoints from users to find real solutions to the problems.

Collaboration is key

Based on who impacts the design, I involve Product managers , technical leads, developers, customer success teams in the design process as they each bring valuable inputs. Sharing early to get their feedback is something I make sure I do.

Observe >>> Listen

Users have immense insights to give, but they are not always sure about what they want. If you ask a user “what are your problems” they may not be able to articulate it well, but ask them to perform an action and you now have real insights. Actions speak louder than words.

Power of iterations

I believe in shipping the designs early, iterating and learning from users along the way. Perfectionism is good, but it can hinder progress. There will always be scope for improvement so progress now and keep improving

Design detachment

I understand that as a designer, I am not the user. I don't attach my identity or worth to the designs I create. I know that iterations happen based on user feedback, so I remain flexible and ready to adapt without becoming too attached to my initial designs.

When I’m not working..

I run art workshops.

I sometimes run art workshops (acrylic) teaching people how to paint a acrylics on canvas! It’s a judgement free zone where people come together, get lost in a fun and therapeutic activity, unwinding from everything else.

I also paint different art mediums

Ever since I remember, I’ve been doing art. I like to work on different art mediums such as watercolors, acrylic, gouache, oil and now recently I’ve been into textured art. It’s an activity I find super therapeutic.

I like exploring new cities and restaurants

I’ve been fortunate enough to be working in Europe! I love it, I’ve travelled to quite a few locations like Budapest, Lisbon, Mallorca, Mykonos, Albufeira, Switzerland and much more. My favorite? Has to be Mykonos!