1990s
I grew up in Ahmedabad, New Jersey, and New York. I didn’t have my own computer until the late 90s, but was always experimenting with new hobbies. Painting, dark room photography, music production, stage lighting, video production. I was privileged enough to attend schools that gave me access to computers and expensive equipment. I even won a couple of awards for my music production and video editing!
2009
While at my alma mater, I started a student design agency with some friends to help students get real world client experience they don’t get in school. The agency is still around to this day! I studied Biochemistry for most of my university days, but design clearly had an everlasting pull. It was after an internship at a cancer center when I realized where my heart was calling me to.
2011
I had a serious knee surgery scheduled for right after graduating from college, which kept me bed ridden for a couple of months. While I was recovering, I started a design studio with my good friend Rahul Mahida. It failed spectacularly, but we both learned quite a lot about starting a business, getting clients, and working with a friend. Later, I landed at what was then Livestream as a Web Designer. I created mini-experiences for clients using Facebook’s app framework, helped design the iOS app, worked on various facets of our hardware (including packaging), and overall contributed to the design of every aspect of our customer experience. I worked with phenomenal people, many of which I consider to be lifelong friends.
2013
I was lured to Saavn by Clint Balcom for what would is still to this day one of the most fulfilling periods of my design career. I got to work on products and features that impacted millions of people. I was also part of a small team that redesigned and launched a brand new Android app, to enormous success.
2014
Rahul and I were early employees at a small oncology analytics startup called COTA. This was our first early-stage startup experience, and we went through many ups and downs together. I left in mid 2016 and went on sabbatical.
2017
I’m currently at MongoDB. I’ve worked on great products here, such as MongoDB Stitch. I’ve also had the privilege of helping grow the team from 7 to 34 designers and researchers.