Strategic, Human-Centered Designer

Hi, I'm Ananya — a strategic, human-centered designer with 3+ years of experience designing brand and product experiences that align people, systems, and purpose.
At Parsons School of Design, I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Strategic Design Management while working across Design Research, Product, User Experience, brand, and communication with strategy at the core.
I design strategic experiences that turn complexity into clarity; aligning people, products, and purpose.
by
uncovering insights and shaping systems that balance user needs with business goals
and
building narratives, brands, and products that scale with intention.
MY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
"We don't need designers who make more stuff — we need designers who can make new worlds that are just, kind, and equitable."
— Echoing the thoughts of John Thackara
I believe design is not just a tool for building — it's a way of seeing, questioning, and realigning. To design well, one must see the world clearly and align thought, word, and action with care.
That is the kind of work I strive to do: not additive, but transformative.
EXPERTISE
TECHNICAL SKILLS
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Rotman Design Challenge
A Business Design Case Competition
Hosted by the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
1st Place : Team Northstar
Team Lead Ananya Harshini
Team Members: Alana Rhodin, Yash Sonwaney, Youngjun Shin, Meenu Jain
Duration: January 2025 – March 2025
Our team tackled a real-world business problem posed by Intact Insurance using a human-centered design approach, blending strategy, innovation, and empathy to deliver a solution grounded in user needs and business impact.

Rotman Design Challenge A Business Design Case Competition
Hosted by the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
1st Place : Team Northstar
Team Lead: Ananya Harshini
Team Members: Alana Rhodin, Yash Sonwaney, Youngjun Shin, Meenu Jain
Duration: January 2025 – March 2025
Our team tackled a real-world business problem posed by Intact Insurance using a human-centered design approach, blending strategy, innovation, and empathy to deliver a solution grounded in user needs and business impact.

Represented School of International Affairs, The New School at The United Nations of Academic Impact
Team Members: Ananya Harshini, Asharkana Muralkar, Medha Dhoundiyal, Sukanya Pasi
Faculty Supervisors: Prof. Mark Johnson, Prof. Peter Hoffman
Duration: January 2025 – May 2025
To implement measurable SDG framework to achieve 2030 Sustainable Development Goal.

Represented School of International Affairs, The New School at The United Nations of Academic Impact
Team Members: Ananya Harshini, Asharkana Murallee, Medha Choudiyyal, Sulanya Pisi
Faculty Supervisors: Prof. Mike Johnson, Prof. Peter Hoffman
Duration: January 2025 – May 2025
To implement measurable SDG framework to achieve 2030 Sustainable Development Goal

Represented the Next Generation Kids AI Audio Player of Vobble at The New York Toy Fair in March 2025
Managed Logistics and Operations with Vobble Team in India & represented the brand with Co-Founder Sowmya Jagannath and my peers Ritu Pant & Avantika Kulkarni with the guidance of Co-Founder Neha Sharma & Head of Marketing Arpit Sharma.

Represented the Next Generation Kids AI Audio Player of Vobble at The New York Toy Fair in March 2025
Managed Logistics and Operations with Vobble Team in India & represented the brand with Co-Founder Sowmya Jagannath and my peers Ritu Pant & Avantika Kulkarni with the guidance of Co-Founder Neha Sharma & Head of Marketing Arpit Sharma.
CERTIFICATIONS
1
Parsons Graduate Minor (14months) (Ongoing)
2
IDEOU View Credentials
3
MIT xPRO View Credentials
1
Parsons Graduate Minor (14months) (Ongoing)
2
IDEOU View Credentials
3
MIT xPRO View Credentials
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Journey over the years

Enrolled in Masters of Science, Strategic Design Management (STEM Integrated)
Pursuing my MS in Strategic Design & Management at Parsons (4.0 GPA), I apply systems thinking to real organizational challenges, bridging research, strategy, and execution
I've served as a Research Assistant to Prof. John Payne and currently a MS-SDM Student Assistant + Representative, I’ve designed and led alumni and industry talks that increased program engagement by 98% in the last 5 months. I also drive marketing and outreach for the Creative Consulting Club collaborations and founded the Parsons Badminton Club, securing $7K in funding and growing it into a 70+ member, lean, student-led community.




Full Time Brand Designer
Vobble has been a sacred part of my journey, a place where I found mentors, a supportive culture, and an energy that kept me inspired every day. I redesigned their website (3× increase in conversions), crafted campaigns for Toy’s R Us and Shark Tank, and supported their U.S. launch by aligning with all stakeholders across logistics, creative execution, and brand storytelling at the New York Toy Fair.


Setting up a Sustainable Organic E-Local Platform for a Business
At Briclay, I helped redefine the service model of a local vendor e-commerce platform by blending business strategy with UX. I formed and led the design team, collaborated on product development, and played a pivotal role in setting up the business and marketing foundation for the next term from digital platforms to vendor storytelling and brand communications.


Graduated — B.Des, Business Service & System Design
While internships gave me real-world exposure, school offered a space to turn theory into practice. In my final year, I worked on two client-led community projects that merged visual storytelling with business service design sharpening my ability to design with both empathy and systems in mind.
At every step, I was fortunate to find mentors across classrooms and studios who continue to shape my thinking and being a part of my journey (till date).


Marketing and Visual Communication Design Internship
A pivotal summer internship where I managed social media calendar designs and campaigns for 5 FMCG brands, including Tipplr, Lulu Mall, and Lil' Goodness. It sharpened my skills in marketing, design tools, content strategy, moodboarding and storytelling across platforms all while collaborating in a fast-paced agency setup.



Part-time
I joined as a design intern and grew into a hybrid role spanning client servicing, UI design, brand decks, and event collateral. Helped deliver 10+ web and branding projects laying the foundation for how I navigate client relationships and cross-functional teams today.


AS OF TODAY...
I am researching about how AI tools have disrupted the hiring markets for my capstone, actively brining in industry talks for exposure and seeking for internship opportunities to collaborate on designing meaningful systems+products to solve complex problems and create real value while learning through the process.
Sourced partners and alumni to produce high-value career events, authored reflection blogs, and ship weekly careers newsletter that consistently filled rooms and sparked discussion across the program.




0+
Talks Delivered
0+
Avg. attendance
0%
Newsletter open rate
0X
Increase in Traction
WHEN I'M NOT DESIGNING...
by the way, amidst all of these a walk by the waterfront with my playlist is always the best during sunrise & sunsets :)





Note: Almost all images are from Pinterest, but I love surfing, playing badminton and pickleball, exploring local communities and the countryside, and reading a book on a rainy day with a cup of coffee.