Projects
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Elevance Health
Sr. User Experience Designer Minnesota (Mar 2022 - Current)- Part of rebranding Anthem, Inc to Elevance Health design process and enhancements.
- Designed and developed a seamless user experience across responsive web (desktop, tablet, mobile) and native mobile applications (iOS & Android).
- Creating components and Created components for Collaboration with our full-stack teams to develop common UI components and design patterns that can be adopted and extended across product suites.
- Partnered with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure the seamless integration of design and functionality.
- Iterative processes with high fidelity mockup showcase data visualization and UI design controls to provide highly flexible, responsive design experience.
- Hands-on experience with axe devtool to check the accessibility coverage across the website and gave recommendations to design related gaps in the process.
- Implemented the product owner’s vision by researching, conceiving, wire-framing, sketching, prototyping, and mocking up user experiences for web applications.
- Designed floor maps to book a workstation, meeting room, staff vp office for associates and non-associates in elevance health across the globe.
- Hands-on experience on Kontent.ai, a cloud-based content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, plan, and publish content for any channel. It's a headless CMS, which means it's not tied to any specific presentation layer. This allows content to be distributed to any device or platform.
- Pulse DFD
- Pulse Point Spaces
- Mac, Figma, FigJam,Sketch, Zeplin, kontent.ai, and axe DevTools (for accessibility)
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United Health Group - Optum
Interaction Design Minnesota (Mar 2018 - Mar 2022)- WV IES: West Virginia Integrated Eligibility System is the new system that improves how the state determines eligibility and delivery of social service programs, one such is child support.
- The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement is operated as part of the State's Department of Health and Human Resources. The Department is responsible for administering all federally-supported public assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medical Assistance and Child Support Enforcement.
- Examine business requirements and user input to generate user flows, UX specifications, wireframes, clickable prototypes, flowcharts, site maps,style guide, concept models and support documentation.
- Developed user personas and scenarios in order to enhance functionality and usability for key audiences.
- Mainframe application to modernize application with latest ux standards.
- Structuring the design system and ensuring consistency when modernizing more than 400+ legacy screens and consolidated to 180 screens.
- Empowered families to get help when, where and how they need it, including via virtual and real-time communication mechanisms using the modern UX methodologies.
- Key resource to make sure the website is 508 compliance, fully accessible to the case workers.
- Experience in designing UI patterns and UI applications with the help of Adobe products like Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator CS3 and other design tools like balsamiq, sketch & Indesign.
- Client Portal
- Agency Portal
- Admin Portal
- Mac, windows, JAWS tool and NVDA (for accessibility), Sketch, Figma, balsamiq, and Adobe xd
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Lochbridge
UI/UX Designer Apr 2016 - Nov 2017- Lochbridge with innovative solutions, dedicated support, or unwavering reliability, we strive to be the partner you can always count on
- I designed a B2C application for department of transportation Michigan and Remediation Information and Data Exchange. Redesigned the existing application based on user centric and data driven designing using UX design best practices to design solutions. My responsibility is to deliver an interactive website through research, ideation, detailed design and delivery with an emphasis on rapid prototyping, frequent validation with end users, and creatively approaching constraints.
- Worked on the State of Michigan internal website for Caseworkers in the department of environment quality.
- Automated routine tasks to allow caseworkers to provide more personalized services and build relationships with families.
- Designed user flow applications, forms and caseworker admin portal using Sketch.
- Engaged with product owners and the business analyst to understand detailed requirements and to design complete user experiences to meet those business needs and vision
- Optimizes the website for SEO and accessibility and periodically redesigns it to align with industry standards.
- Took training for 508 compliance as part of accessibility.
- Guided team on accessibility and used JAWS tool to test the screen reader
- Mac, windows, JAWS tool, Sketch, Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
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Accessibility
Allows people with disabilities to actively participate in our society.- It ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access information, services, and products without barriers, promoting inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities, while also potentially improving usability for all users and minimizing legal risks for businesses; essentially, it's about creating a world where everyone can participate fully in society.
- Axe DevTool
- JAWS tool
- WAVE
- AInspector
- Social equity
- Improved usability
- Legal compliance
- Better SEO
- Positive brand image
- Axe DevTools, JAWS, NVDA, WAVE, AInspector
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Dashboard
- This sample financial dashboard is a tool that provides a visual representation of a company's financial health. It displays financial data from various sources in one place, making it easier to understand complex financial information.
- Provides a real-time overview of a company's financial health
- Helps users identify trends and patterns
- Helps users find opportunities for improvement
- Helps users make informed decisions quickly
- Helps users focus on strategic planning
- Monitoring revenue, expenses, and profits
- Cash flow forecasting
- Predicting market trends
- Monitoring customer trends
- Evaluating the performance of new products
- Evaluating the effectiveness of pricing policies
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Photography
- Photography is my favorite hobby and I love to take portraits of people, candids and landscapes.
- A well-crafted photo speaks volumes, transcending language barriers to communicate emotions, stories, and perspectives in an instant. Whether portraying a powerful portrait or capturing a candid moment, photography can challenge preconceptions and broaden our understanding of the world.
- Photography helps me capture anything I feel is important to remember. One photograph is powerful enough to not only remind you of an event or detail, but can bring you right back to the feelings, sounds, and even smells of the moment.
- From finding beauty in the everyday to telling stories, connecting with nature, expressing creativity, building connections with others, and fostering personal growth, photography inspires me in countless ways. ”It's a passion that fuels my soul, drives my curiosity, and fills me with a sense of purpose and wonder”
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Cukzz
Product- Cukzz is a Food App Empowering people with extraordinary culinary abilities to help them generate income to provide better standards of living for themselves and their loved ones.
- Our vision is to provide a platform where people can order exotic homemade food that they have been missing. A place home far from home.
- At Cukzz, your imagination comes to reality. People can create different profiles- User, cooks and delivery agents. People can order homemade food from their choice of multiple cooks. Once the order is received, cook accepts the order and food is prepared. Depending on the availability of delivery agents, either user can pick up food or food is delivered to their doorstep. Homemade Food ordering has never been that simple.
- User can Download the Cukzz App and experience what they have been missing on your plate!
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Predu – The All-in-One Smart Learning Hub
Overview:- Predu is an online school platform designed for students and educators to seamlessly adapt to remote learning during the COVID pandemic. It combines a smart dashboard, e-library, interactive handbook, and online testing system into a unified UX experience to enhance digital education.
Key Features & UX Innovations: 1. Smart Learning Dashboard- Personalized student dashboard with upcoming classes, assignments, and progress tracking.
- AI-powered study recommendations based on learning patterns.
- Real-time notifications for deadlines, announcements, and test results.
- Vast digital resource collection (textbooks, articles, research papers).
- Smart search & filter system for quick access to relevant materials.
- Offline reading mode for accessibility with limited internet.
- Interactive subject handbooks with video, quizzes, and notes.
- AI-powered concept summaries for quick revision.
- Voice and text-to-speech integration for accessibility.
- Automated tests with AI-based evaluation and instant feedback.
- Adaptive testing that adjusts difficulty based on performance.
- Anti-cheating measures like randomized questions and proctoring.
- Progress tracking & analytics for student performance.
- Assignment & test creation tools for teachers.
- Secure parent-teacher communication for updates.
- ✅ Minimal & User-Friendly Interface – Ensuring smooth navigation for students, teachers, and parents.
- ✅ Dark & Light Mode – Customizable for better readability and reduced eye strain.
- ✅ Mobile & Desktop Compatibility – Accessible on different devices for all users.
- ✅ Gamification Elements – Points, badges, and leaderboards for student motivation.
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Design Process Flow
Fundamental steps of UX Design process:- The following design process is a fundamental step for any UX designer, it helped me a lot in understanding product design over the past decade. The design process differs for products because each product has unique user needs, business goals, technical constraints, and industry regulations. Factors like AI integration, accessibility (508 compliance), security, healthcare, or financial requirements shape how UX is approached.
- 1. Understand: Really want to understand what our customers and users really want and need, what their challenges and problems really are. So that we can build and create things that actually solve those problems. Companies with good UX:
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- By interviewing the users/customers,
- Create feedback/surveys for their products or services.
- Reach out to customers directly
- Pay close attention to existing customer data/feedback
- Eg: Uber vs taxi. Uber has good UX compared to taxi.
- 2. Analyze: We take all the research and learning that we got from understanding customers or users and try to make sense of that information. Where does it lead us, what should we do with that information, are there few things we should really focus on that will give a big impact for the users. This is an important step in the process, because managers and leaders know where to invest their time and money and what their team should work on to have the biggest impact for their customers. The analyze stage is my fav stage in the design process, because it is where lots and lots of cloudy uncertain pieces of information come together to provide good direction for the team.
Eg: Uber is a good example because that came from analyzing the research. - 3. Ideate: Come up with ideas, understand where the problems and frustrations are, analyze those and find what's important to solve and work on. ideation is all about taking what we know and coming up with multiple ways to potentially solve. This is also a really fine stage that can be done in lots of different stages. Digitally, in person live with workshops and sketching or even brainstorming.
- 4. Validate: once we have a mass of potential ideas, we go into validation. We have to test and validate those ideas so as a UX designer, I come up with multiple options or versions of the same thing or different ways to solve a problem. So, in this validation step making quick mockups, sketching of concepts, prototyping helps to test them with real people to check the actual solving the problem, customers and users will use the product and get the reaction to those things.
- 5. Iterate: it happens all the way through the process, not only in small steps that you are going through but also on a bigger scale. Checking with customers after research work and implementation, because everything will be fine for next few years, the world changes, market changes, so we might test and validate some ideas and you might need to go back and research and understand your customer again. Cycle of iteration should be never left out of the UX process.
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Case Study 1
Consideration from mobile vs. web design include- Screen size and input
- Context of use
- Connectivity requirements
- Performance
- Screen size and resolution, interaction methods (touch vs. mouse), navigation complexity, loading speed optimization, content prioritization, input methods (keyboard vs. touch screen), and the need to adapt to different network conditions, with mobile design typically requiring a more simplified and touch-friendly interface due to smaller screens and primarily touch-based interactions.
- In this case study, exploring the crucial distinctions between designing for mobile and for the web. Whether you're building an app or crafting a beautiful website, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities of each platform is key for creating fantastic user experiences. In the world of mobile and web design, uncovering the factors that drive design decisions in both spaces, you'll be able to analyze case studies of successful apps or websites designed for specific platforms, such as mobile or web, identifying the platform, specific design patterns and best practices implemented first, let's set the stage by starting with some context, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our lives. Smartphones and tablets provide convenient access to information and services on the go. On the other hand, the web continues its reign as a vast platform, reaching users around the world with laptops and desktops as their traditional gateways. Although both mobile and web experiences are about serving user needs, the way we interact with each platform creates a whole different set of possibilities and limitations. Next, think about the key differences between mobile and web design.
- What about the screen size and input? Probably the most obvious difference is screen real estate. Mobile devices offer limited space and rely heavily on touch input. Websites often cater to larger screens with the precision of a mouse or trackpad for navigation. Think about this, when's the last time you struggled to tap the correct button in an app? Have you had that problem on a laptop or desktop? Consider the context of use. How and where people use their devices also have a big impact. People often turn to their phones for quick tasks like checking social media or looking up directions. Web browsing might be more common for longer, more focused activities like in depth research or online shopping.
- How about connectivity? Mobile apps can often work offline, while websites generally need an Internet connection. There are ways to design websites to function with limited connectivity, but native apps have a built in edge. This is crucial if your users are likely to be on the move or in areas with spotty reception. And think about performance. Let's talk speed. Well designed native mobile apps tend to feel more responsive as they're optimized specifically for a user's device. Websites may face greater variability, having to load all sorts of content and run code within a browser environment.
- Let's look at a hypothetical scenario. Say you're building a platform for a local restaurant. What considerations guide your choice between building a native mobile app or designing a responsive website? Here's how those key differences we discussed might play out. Do customers want to order on the go? If the restaurant wants customers to place orders on the go. A mobile app's ease of use speed and potential online capabilities could make it the clear winner.
- What about supporting casual browsing? If the focus is on showcasing the menu, atmosphere and maybe a simple reservation system, a beautifully designed website could be the right fit. Consider the user-base and budget. Your decision also depends on who your users are and your project budget. Building native apps for both iOS and Android platforms takes greater resources than crafting a single responsive website. Keep in mind that it's not always one or the other. Interestingly, the line between mobile apps and the web is getting blurry. Advanced web technologies allow websites to offer more app like features, even storing some data offline. Still, there's always a trade off between broader reach and deeper functionality. One of the biggest factors blurring the lines is the development of progressive web apps, or PWAs. These are essentially websites that can be installed on a user's device like an app, offering a lot of the benefits traditionally associated with native apps, such as offline access. PWAs cache data, so core functionality can work even without an active Internet connection. Push notifications, just like apps, PWAs can send users updates and reminders. Hardware access PWAs can increasingly utilize phone features like the camera, GPS and other onboard sensors. Advantages of PWAs over mobile apps include a reduced development cost. You don't need to build separate code bases for iOS and Android streamlining development. You also have a broader reach. Because PWAs are web-based, they're accessible across a wide range of devices and operating systems. Finally, think about discoverability.
- PWAs can be indexed by search engines, potentially boosting organic traffic. Although PWAs are incredibly useful, they aren't a magic bullet, they still have some limitations compared to native mobile apps. Starting with performance, native apps tend to have a slight edge in speed and responsiveness, especially with complex tasks. Now think about hardware integration. The PAWs access to all device features might not be as robust as with the native app. You should also consider App store presence. You can't list PWAs in traditional app stores, which can impact their discoverability for some audiences. So when is implementing a PWA a good option? Consider your budget and timeline first. If your resources are limited, PWAs offer a faster and more cost effective path. Also, what about frequency of use for occasional interactions? The ease of a PWA might be perfect and consider the feature requirements. If your application does not rely heavily on device features or super high performance, a PWA is perfect. In conclusion, choosing between Mobile and web including PWAs is not an either or situation, often, the best approach involves a combination. You might find that your best solution is a slick website as your foundational presence, a PWA that provides core functionality and accessibility, and an app focused on specific, frequently used features. Remember, success in UX design is all about tailoring solutions to the right context.
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Responsive Design
Desktop, Tab/iPad, Mobile- A responsive website adapts seamlessly across desktop, iPad, and iPhone, ensuring optimal usability and accessibility. It uses fluid grids, flexible layouts, and media queries to adjust content, navigation, and interactions based on screen size. Desktop offers full-feature layouts, iPads provide touch-friendly adjustments, and iPhones prioritize mobile-first design with optimized touch interactions.
- A responsive website dynamically adjusts its layout, content, and interactions to provide an optimal user experience across desktop, iPad, and iPhone. This is achieved through:
- 1. Desktop (Large Screens)
- Uses multi-column layouts with spacious designs.
- Hover effects and detailed navigation menus for enhanced usability.
- High-resolution images and advanced data visualizations for dashboards.
- 2. iPad & Tablets (Medium Screens)
- Adjusts to touch interactions (larger buttons, swipe gestures).
- May switch from multi-column to a single-column layout.
- Navigation changes to hamburger menus or collapsible sidebars.
- 3. Phone & Mobile (Small Screens)
- Mobile-first design with single-column, scroll-friendly layouts.
- Thumb-friendly buttons and simplified forms for quick interactions.
- Optimized for faster loading, minimal animations, and legible typography.
- 4. How It's Achieved
- CSS Media Queries – Adjusts styles based on screen width.
- Flexible Grids & Layouts – Uses relative units (%, em, rem, vh, vw).
- Adaptive Images – Optimized for different resolutions (SVGs, WebP).
- Performance Optimization – Lazy loading, optimized assets for mobile speed.
- 1. Desktop (Large Screens)
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Case Study 2
Improving Digital Accessibility in Today’s WorldProblem Statement
- In today’s digital-first world, over 1 billion people live with disabilities, yet many websites and applications remain inaccessible. Users with visual impairments, motor disabilities, and cognitive challenges often struggle with poor contrast, missing alt text, keyboard traps, and inaccessible forms
- A major financial services company faced legal action due to non-compliance with ADA & WCAG standards, leading to a reputation crisis and loss of customer trust.
Challenges
- Low Contrast & Poor Readability – Difficult for users with low vision.
- Unlabeled Buttons & Images – Screen readers couldn’t interpret the UI.
- Non-Responsive Forms – Users with motor impairments struggled with interaction.
- Keyboard Navigation Issues – Users reliant on keyboard navigation couldn’t access core features.
- Legal & Compliance Risks – The company faced a potential lawsuit for violating ADA & Section 508.
Solution: Implementing Inclusive Design
The company partnered with UX accessibility experts to redesign their platform with an inclusive-first approach.
- 1. Accessibility Audit & Testing
- a. Used automated tools (AXE, Lighthouse, WAVE) to identify WCAG violations.
- b. Conducted usability testing with real users (visually impaired, mobility-limited, neurodiverse).
- 2. UI & Interaction Fixes
- a. Improved color contrast (min 4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for UI components).
- b. Added ARIA labels & semantic HTML for screen readers.
- c. Ensured all interactions were keyboard-navigable (no mouse dependency).
- d. Used larger tap targets & dynamic form field validation for better usability.
- Company-Wide Accessibility Integration
- a. Developed reusable accessible UI components (buttons, menus, forms).
- b. Integrated accessibility testing in CI/CD pipeline.
- c. Conducted training for designers, developers, and QA teams.
Key Takeaways
- Accessibility is not optional – It improves usability for everyone.
- Early integration of accessibility saves time, cost, and legal risks.
- User testing with people with disabilities is essential for real-world validation.
- Accessible design benefits all users, including aging populations and temporary disabilities.
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Phone App
Cukzz - Bringing Home to Your Plate Vision Statement:- "Cukzz aims to be the ultimate destination for food lovers seeking authentic, homemade exotic dishes—bringing the taste of home to every corner of the world. A place where nostalgia meets flavor, connecting cultures through the love of food."
- Cukzz – A Taste of Home, Anywhere." "Bringing Your Favorite Homemade Flavors to You
- Cukzz – Where Every Meal Feels Like Home
- Cukzz – Bringing Home to Your Plate
- A strong emotional foundation for Cukzz! The idea of bringing comfort through food is powerful, as many people living away from home crave the authentic, homemade flavors they grew up with.
- Cukzz brings authentic homemade food to people craving a taste of home, the design and experience should feel warm, nostalgic, and community-driven. Here’s a structured approach to branding, UI/UX, and features:
- 1. Branding Strategy
- a. Visual Identity
- i. Colors – Warm, earthy tones like deep orange, olive green, or rich browns (evoking homemade meals).
- ii. Typography – Friendly, welcoming fonts (e.g., Poppins, Montserrat, or Playfair Display for elegance).
- iii. Imagery – High-quality, authentic food photography + real chefs cooking in home kitchens.
- b. Logo & App Icon
- i. Minimal yet inviting logo (maybe a steaming bowl, spice jar, or a home-kitchen motif).
- ii. App icons should be simple yet recognizable (e.g., stylized food plate with a heart).
- a. Visual Identity
- 2. UX Design Strategy
Since it’s a food ordering platform, the experience should be simple, seamless, and delightful.
- a. Key User Flows & Features
- i. Onboarding – Personalize user experience by asking about their preferred cuisine (e.g., Indian, Middle Eastern, African, etc.).
- ii. Explore & Search – Filter by region, dish, chef, dietary preference (vegan, halal, gluten-free).
- iii. Chef Profiles – Showcase home chefs, their background, and specialty dishes.
- iv. Food Discovery – Allow users to see trending homemade dishes with reviews & photos.
- v. Ordering Process – One-tap ordering, delivery tracking, and easy payment integration.
- vi. Reviews & Ratings – Social proof via customer testimonials, chef ratings, and food photos.
- vii. Community & Social – Let users share their favorite dishes, stories, or food memories.
- b. UI Design Principles
- Minimal & intuitive – Avoid clutter; keep the focus on food images and easy navigation.
- Large, engaging visuals – High-res food photography should dominate the interface.
- Microinteractions – Smooth animations when adding items to the cart, leaving reviews, etc.
- Accessibility – Ensure contrast, large tap targets, and support for screen readers.
- a. Key User Flows & Features
- 3. Potential Add-On Features
- a. AI-powered Food Recommendations – Suggest dishes based on user preferences & order history.
- b. Local Pickup & Delivery Options – Flexibility to either get it delivered or pick it up from the home chef.
- c. Pre-order & Subscription Model – Users can subscribe to a chef for weekly or monthly homemade meals.
- d. Chef Onboarding System – Allow home cooks to easily sign up, verify, and list their dishes.
- e. Multilingual Support – Cater to global users by offering different languages.
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UI Components
- UI components play a crucial role in enhancing usability, consistency, and efficiency in digital product design. Here’s why they matter:
- 1. Ensures Consistency Across the Product
- A design system with standardized UI components (e.g., buttons, forms, cards) ensures a cohesive look and feel across different screens and devices.
- Users become familiar with design patterns, making navigation easier.
- 2. Improves Usability & Accessibility (A11Y)
- Well-designed UI components follow WCAG/508 accessibility standards, making products usable for all users, including those with disabilities.
- Standardized contrast, typography, and interactive elements improve readability and interaction.
- 3. Enhances Efficiency in Design & Development
- Reusable UI components save time—designers don’t have to recreate buttons, modals, or inputs from scratch.
- Developers can work more efficiently with a consistent set of UI elements, reducing code duplication.
- 4. Provides Better User Experience (UX)
- Predictability: Users recognize common UI elements (e.g., navigation bars, dropdowns), reducing cognitive load.
- Faster interactions: Intuitive UI elements ensure smooth navigation and task completion.
- 5. Supports Scalability & Design Systems
- When designing a product that evolves over time, a component-based approach allows seamless updates and expansion.
- UI libraries (e.g., Material Design, Apple HIG, Bootstrap) help maintain a structured, scalable design system.
- 6. Enhances Collaboration Between Teams
- Designers and developers use the same UI components, reducing inconsistencies in implementation.
- Teams can maintain a shared design language with tools like Figma, Storybook, and Zeplin.
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Conclusion
UI components are the building blocks of great user experiences. By designing accessible, reusable, and user-friendly components, UX/UI designers create intuitive, visually appealing, and high-performing digital products.