2012 - 2014 / IIT Bombay

My journey into the world of impactful design truly began in August 2012 when I joined the Masters program at IIT Bombay. This wasn't a random choice; it was a deliberate step building upon my foundational experiences. Prior to IIT Bombay, my Bachelor's in Computer Science and Engineering from Anna University equipped me with a strong technical base. As a Web Developer in Chennai, I wasn't just coding; I was empowering local businesses by building their online presence through both static and dynamic websites. My proficiency in Javascript and PHP allowed me to create functional and engaging user experiences, while using Actionscript in Adobe Flash enabled rapid prototyping of interactive concepts. These early experiences ignited a passion for understanding how technology could solve real-world problems and led me to seek a deeper understanding of user interaction.

The Interaction Design Programme at the Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay, was a transformative experience. Its focus on interactive media, mobile communication, software interfaces, and engaging applications – particularly tailored for Indian users and industry needs – resonated deeply with my desire to create meaningful solutions. The emphasis on design critique sessions was invaluable. Receiving regular feedback from fellow designers pushed me to constantly refine my thinking and elevate the quality of my work. This collaborative environment fostered a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

During my time at IDC, my focus intensely gravitated towards input methods, driven by the potential to bridge gaps and empower diverse user groups. Working closely with Prof. Anirudha Joshi, Prof. Girish Dalvi, and the Swarachakra team, I tackled projects with significant social impact:

Empowering Financial Literacy: I aimed to innovate input methods that could help students aged 15-24 better manage their income and expenses. This wasn't just about data entry; it was about designing intuitive tools to foster financial literacy and responsible decision-making for a crucial demographic.
Bridging Linguistic Divides: I focused on enabling native Malayalam speakers to seamlessly communicate via text input on mobile phones. This project was about breaking down linguistic barriers and fostering digital inclusion through culturally relevant and efficient input methods.
Accessibility through Innovation: A particularly challenging and rewarding area was exploring how to enable blind users to input text using 'flat' touchscreen interfaces. This pushed the boundaries of conventional interaction design, demanding innovative solutions to create an accessible and empowering experience for a user group often overlooked.
My exploration into human-computer interaction also led to the research paper, "Improvisation of Man-Machine-Environment: A communication system for reversing the car," presented at India HCI 2013 as part of the Student Consortium. This work explored innovative ways to improve safety and user experience in a critical everyday task.

My Masters at IDC wasn't just about academic learning; it was about cultivating a mindset focused on identifying real-world challenges and leveraging design and technology to create impactful and innovative solutions that address the specific needs of users, particularly within the Indian context.
In that role, I wasn't just building websites; I was empowering local businesses with an online presence. Whether it was crafting static sites to establish their identity or developing dynamic platforms to engage their customers, my work directly impacted their reach and operational efficiency. My primary tools were Javascript and PHP, which allowed me to create functional and user-friendly experiences. Furthermore, I leveraged Actionscript within Adobe Flash to rapidly prototype interactive concepts, enabling quicker visualization and refinement of ideas. These early experiences fueled my desire to delve deeper into the theoretical underpinnings and advanced applications of technology, ultimately leading me to pursue my Masters at IIT Bombay.