Shreya Thakkar is redefining what it means to be a design researcher and UX expert in today’s technology-driven world. Her work focuses on developing “phygital” products that blend physical and digital elements to create seamless, user-centered experiences. With over seven years of experience in design strategy across various industries, including healthcare, automotive, and home appliances, Thakkar is not just solving problems; she’s anticipating future needs and developing solutions, prioritizing empathy and user experiences.

Empathy as a Driving Force

Design research is often about understanding human behavior and incorporating these insights into products that improve lives. Shreya Thakkar believes that empathy is the foundation of bold design. For her, it’s not just a tool but a mindset that guides the entire design process. In an industry increasingly shaped by technological possibilities, Thakkar’s approach stands out for its human-centered focus, blending technology with the nuances of human needs to create impactful outcomes.

Bridging Physical and Digital Worlds

The concept of “phygital” products is central to Thakkar’s work. As a design researcher, she explores integrating physical and digital experiences, ensuring they complement and enhance each other. Her work exemplifies how design can bridge the tangible and digital to create products that genuinely make a difference, from smart home devices that adapt to user preferences to innovative healthcare tools that improve patient experiences.

A Global Journey in Design

Born in Gujarat, India, Thakkar’s journey into design began early. As a child, her fascination with art, history, and storytelling sparked her passion for creating meaningful user experiences. Initially trained as an interior architect, she designed spatial experiences for homes, commercial spaces, and places of worship. This background gave her a deep understanding of how people interact with their environments, laying the foundation for her later UX and design research work.

Pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Design, Thakkar expanded her focus to include furniture and industrial design, honing a holistic approach that now informs her UX research practice. Her career reflects a journey from the micro-scale of interior design to the macro perspective of product development, emphasizing a human-centered approach at every level.

A Thought Leader in Phygital Innovation

Her peers and global organizations recognize Thakkar’s expertise. She serves as a judge for The Globee Awards for Leadership 2024. She has developed pioneering initiatives like “Anotherism,” a research project comparing human creativity with AI-generated solutions for household challenges. Her projects demonstrate her commitment to leveraging technology while maintaining the human touch—a balance she believes is crucial in the future of design.

One of her notable works, a Master’s thesis titled “Engaging in Aging,” exemplifies her approach. She designed a collection of mobility aids to improve the quality of life for aging baby boomers. This project, among others, shows her ability to merge empathy with innovation, creating practical solutions that address real societal needs.

Overcoming Challenges Through Curiosity and Courage

Thakkar didn’t find the path to becoming a recognized design researcher straightforward. Early in her career, the idea of pursuing a profession in design wasn’t always encouraged, but her curiosity and determination led her forward. She emphasizes the importance of being brave and open to new perspectives—qualities that she believes are essential in the design field.

Professionally, Thakkar faces the challenge of balancing technological advancements with human needs. While she believes it’s easy for designers to become enamored with technology’s potential, she remains committed to ensuring that the human experience remains at the core of every product she develops.

Looking Ahead: Ethical AI and Design Leadership

As she moves forward into the future of her work, Thakkar’s focus is on ethical AI integration in design. She will continue to advocate for the responsible use of technology and aims to mentor the next generation of design leaders, emphasizing the importance of empathy and future thinking. By envisioning sustainable and adaptive products, she hopes to shape a world where technology and design work hand in hand to create meaningful, user-centered experiences.

Through her work and thought leadership, Shreya Thakkar is setting new standards in design research and user experience, proving that empathy is essential in shaping the future of innovation.

Published by: Nelly Chavez