Hi, I’m Manasi Vaidya
I graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in MA, USA with a Master of Science in Integrated Design Management. This was a collaborative degree between the MIT School of Engineering and MIT Sloan School of Management. Before going back to graduate school, I was working as a Senior User Experience Design Consultant at IBM iX in Bangalore, India.
My work focuses on leveraging diverse qualitative and quantitative research methods to solve complex problems and create accessible, intuitive experiences. I have a strong interest in designing for extreme user groups, such as visually impaired users and older adults, which has honed my ability to adapt methodologies and uncover deep user insights.
By collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, I ensure research findings translate into actionable strategies that align with business goals and user needs. My work spans areas like improving digital accessibility and fostering trust in data privacy practices, demonstrating my commitment to impactful, inclusive design.
I’m always looking for opportunities to apply my expertise to challenging problems and make a meaningful impact through research.
When I’m not working, I am in the ceramics studio making teapots and vases!
Key traits
Empathetic
I can easily put myself in other people’s shoes and think from their perspectives. I am easily able to keep my emotions, biases I may have, etc. aside and solve problems that a product and its users may face. My empathetic nature allows me to understand not only users, but even my team mates who may not be able to do tasks they’re asked to because of certain reasons, in such cases I always extend help to anybody that approaches me with their problems.
Articulate
I am comfortable with various mediums of communication. Be it physically prototyping what my research and analysis points towards, conducting interviews remotely where my verbal skills are tested. I have amazing skills in keeping up conversations. If you ever happen to meet me, there will never be that awkward silence where you will have to think hard about what to talk about next. This helps me gather the required information and move towards actionable steps quickly and confidently.
Punctual
I am a morning person and believe that the quote, “Early to bed, early to rise, keeps a person healthy and wise!” holds true, which may be very well considered unpopular in today’s world. Whether it is my work or personal life, I have always been punctual. If I have committed to delivering something by a particular date or time, I will keep to my word irrespective of the circumstances and hurdles I may face.
Lateral Thinker
I have been formally trained in design thinking and systems thinking for 5+ years. My education and experiences allow me to look at the wholistic view along with micro level concerns while solving problems or improving experiences. There’s a constant zoom-in, zoom-out perspective or approach that has to take place when I am trying to solve complex problems. I strongly prefer working in agile over the waterfall methodology.
Accessibility Advocate
Right from creating a differently-abled persona while in the ideation phase of designing an experience, to practicing activities like body storming. I practice designing for accessibility on a daily basis. I have conducted campaigns, done several certifications in improving web-accessibility through design and conducted sessions that enabled people to experience simulations regarding how the differently-abled consume content on the internet.
WIP
Polishing and making my own work better all the time. I continuously try to make current and past projects better. I’m very frank and candid and keep my biases and emotions aside when it comes to giving feedback. The importance of keeping a process iterative and working in an agile manner so that changes can be incorporated at various steps of the journey is key towards building user-centric products and services.
Books I’m currently reading
Thinking, Fast and Slow
by Daniel Kahneman
Mezzanine
by Nicholson Baker
Phantoms in the Brain
by V.S. Ramachandran
Quotes I live by
“Don’t just go through it, grow through it!”
— Kohler Elite Karate
“Do not satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken peoples’ curiosity! It’s enough to open minds, do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good inflammable stuff, it will catch fire.”
— Nobel laureate Anatole France
“Good design is good business.”
— Sir Thomas J Watson Jr.