Hi, I'm Lawanya.
A product designer with 10+ years at the intersection of users, business, and technology. I design for genuine, lasting impact on people's lives.
Originally from Chennai, India. Currently based in Dublin, Ireland.
Let's work together“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
— Jane Goodall
How I became who I am
TL;DR
From childhood dreams of saving lives to designing digital experiences that unlock human potential. My path went from circuits to touchpoints.
My name is Lawanya (Laa-vuhn-ya), and I grew up in Chennai, India. My childhood dream was to become a doctor. Life had other plans and redirected me into electronics engineering, a disappointment that turned out to be the beginning of everything.
In engineering, I discovered how things work the way they work. That curiosity pulled me into a master's in product design, where I spent two years building tangible things and pitching them to fictional companies. I was hooked on the feeling of putting something real into someone's hands.
When I moved into UX, I found something even more compelling: the ability to shape experiences that reach millions of people, across any domain, and the agility to learn fast from what doesn't work. That was a satisfaction the physical world never gave me (the money that burnt along the way). The shift from physical to digital felt like an upgrade in scale.
Now, 10+ years in, after a lot of pivots and learning, it's all led to one mission: design for impact. Products that affect real lives, reflect real values, and make a genuine difference in how people learn, work, and grow.
My core values
I'm an INFJ-T (the ‘Advocate’ personality), known for being empathetic, thoughtful, and quietly determined. These are the values I find myself returning to most.
Innovative problem-solving
I zoom out to see the bigger picture and connect dots that aren't always obvious. That usually leads to creative solutions for complex or ambiguous challenges.
Purpose-driven mindset
Meaningful work keeps me grounded. I'm drawn to projects that make a real impact on people's lives, and that clarity carries me through the hard stretches.
Bridging perspectives
Understanding what drives people (users or teammates) helps me navigate conflict and find common ground.
Leading with empathy
I create safe, collaborative spaces where people feel heard and supported. Mentoring others is one of the most natural expressions of how I work.
Balanced standards
High quality without perfectionism. I know when to hold the line and when to flex, keeping work strong without getting stuck.
Strategic by nature
I enjoy turning abstract ideas into something real and actionable. Setting a vision and quietly building toward it is where I feel most at home.
Working with me
Meaningful goals
I'm most engaged when the work contributes positively to individuals, communities, or the world at large. Purpose gives my design process meaning.
Harmony & collaboration
Kindness and empathy shape how I collaborate. I thrive where people support one another and diverse perspectives are met with curiosity and care.
Purpose-driven teams
Being part of a team moving in the same direction toward something that matters brings out my best. Shared vision fuels deeper commitment.
Quiet focus
I do my best thinking in calm, reflective spaces. Room to think deeply brings more intention and thoughtfulness to everything I produce.
Creativity & originality
I love projects that let me experiment, problem-solve intuitively, and create with a sense of play. That's where my most original ideas emerge.
Structured flexibility
Clear expectations and outcomes, with the freedom to find my own approach. That balance keeps me both grounded and creatively open.
Mentoring
In my initial design years my mentors shaped me. Now I try to do the same for others. I mentor emerging designers through ADPList and Topmate, helping them navigate portfolios, career pivots, and design thinking. I've spoken at UX India 2020 and Google Developer Group and many other design conferences, and write about design on Medium.
I've also led and grown design teams directly, creating space for people to think, question, and do their best work. For me, leadership has always been about making the people around me better.
1290 min
Mentored on ADPList
5+
Years mentoring
UX India
2020 speaker
Topmate
Mentor
Book a session with me
1:1 mentoring on design careers, portfolios, and breaking into the field.
Career journey
From engineering labs to digital products. The pivots that shaped my practice.
2009 – 2013
B.E. Electronics Engineering
Anna University, Chennai
- Built a foundation in systems thinking, hardware, and engineering problem-solving.
- Sparked curiosity about how people interact with technology.
2013 – 2015
M.Des in Electronic Design
IIITDM Kancheepuram
- Pivoted from hardware to product and interaction design.
- Built and pitched tangible prototypes to companies (the beginning of UX).
2016 – 2021
UX Designer
Tata Consultancy Services
- Enterprise UX at scale: platforms serving 10,000–300,000+ users.
- Social collaboration, performance management, and digital workplace transformation.
- Discovery workshops with international clients across multiple industries.
2021 – 2024
Senior Product Designer
Yara International
- Farmer-facing and retailer platforms across 5 regions and 15 languages.
- Field research in India and Thailand; phygital product design in Kenya.
- End-to-end product vision and roadmap for new verticals across Asia and Africa.
2024 – Present
Product Designer
Udemy
- AI-assisted learning tools and agentic experiences for global learners.
- Enterprise admin UX at scale across B2B and B2C.
- Driving localization strategy for non-English-speaking markets.
Other interests
Art
Botanical painting and urban sketching. I document travel and the world around me through traditional media, shared as @the_merakist.
Photography
Nature, wildlife, birds, and the quiet moments in between. A lens is just another way of paying attention.
Mentoring
I mentor emerging designers on ADPList and Topmate, and speak at design communities and conferences.
Writing
Design thinking and practice, published on Medium. Writing helps me clarify what I believe.
Skills & certifications
Core skills
Certifications
- NN/g Service Blueprinting (96th percentile)
- AI for Design Workflows (NN/g)
- Behavioural Design, CIID & Irrational Labs
- UX Research Methods: Interviewing
What people say
Lawanya was the first designer hired in India for Udemy. She was our first because she is highly autonomous, extremely proactive and has a great sense of adventure. She also is a great product designer, with the full skillset required to take on any type of project. I especially like her sense of taste which shines through in her visual design work. Would definitely hire again in the future!
Darragh Flood
Senior Director, Udemy
Directly reportedLawanya stands out as one of the finest individuals I've collaborated with. Beyond her already impressive design skills, her genuine kindness and continuous desire for personal and professional growth set her apart. It was her humility and inquisitiveness that initially drew me to hire her. While no designer is flawless, Lawanya's presence has not only contributed to the growth of our products but has also enriched the design community with her willingness to share her knowledge. I eagerly anticipate her future contributions to the success of other projects.
Dorothy T
UX Manager, Yara International
Directly reportedLawanya has been an outstanding colleague to collaborate with. She consistently embraces new challenges and opportunities at work, demonstrating a proactive attitude. Her adeptness in exploration and research, coupled with her data-driven and user-centric design approach, greatly enhances the quality of her work. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work with Lawanya as a team once again.
Sharda Singh
Product Owner, Yara International
CollaboratorLawanya started as an Interface Designer and swiftly took on roles in Design Production and Design Project Management. She led the redesign of a major social platform, skillfully managing its design system and collaborating with a large team. With a strong academic background, she was innovative and effective in implementing new techniques and confidently handled difficult stakeholders, always justifying her design choices clearly.
Balachandar S
Head of Design, TCS
Directly reported