Greetings,

I'm Akanksha

- HCI Researcher, Designer & Product Manager

with 8+ years of experience shaping user-centered products.

Products I've built, launched, & refined

— with real users, real impact, and plenty of iteration.

All
Product
Research
Design
Game Dev

HCI RESEARCH / VIRTUAL REALITY

Getting Your VR Legs: Build Comfort and Confidence in Virtual Reality.

Case Study

Getting Your VR Legs: Build Comfort and Confidence in Virtual Reality.

Case Study

E-COMMERCE / NYKAA FASHION

Optimizing Navigation on Fashion E-Commerce Platform.

Case Study

Optimizing Navigation on Fashion E-Commerce Platform.

Case Study

digital archive / HCI depot

Building a Digital Archive for HCI Students' Capstone Projects.

Case Study

Building a Digital Archive for HCI Students' Capstone Projects.

Case Study

DATA VISUALIZATION / ELDEN RING

A Visual Data Guide to the Lands Between Using Tableau.

Case Study

A Visual Data Guide to the Lands Between Using Tableau.

Case Study

GAME DEVELOPMENT / UNITY

From Idea to Interaction: My First Game in Unity.

Case Study

From Idea to Interaction: My First Game in Unity.

Case Study

E-COMMERCE / NURTURE INDIA

Lauching an E-commerce Platform Empowering Local Artisans.

Case Study

Lauching an E-commerce Platform Empowering Local Artisans.

Case Study

CONTENT / COMMUNITY / POPXO

A Content, E-Commerce, and Community Platform Designed for Women.

Case Study

A Content, E-Commerce, and Community Platform Designed for Women.

Case Study

MACHINE LEARNING / SPOTIFY

Decoding the Beats: A Data-Driven Approach with Spotify.

Case Study

Decoding the Beats: A Data-Driven Approach with Spotify.

Case Study

INFLUENCER MARKETING / PLIXXO

Building an Influencer Marketing Platform for Brand Collaborations.

Case Study

Building an Influencer Marketing Platform for Brand Collaborations.

Case Study

Designing across cultures, building for people

Let's Work Together

3 Countries 300+ Collaborations

Born and raised in India, I've worked across India, Japan, and the US — building products with diverse teams and learning early that needs, contexts, and users vary. That's where I learned to lead with empathy.

I'm now based in Bloomington, Indiana, where I just completed my Master's in Human-Computer Interaction at Indiana University. I'm currently looking for roles in product, UX, or research that value inclusion, clarity, and real-world impact.

When I'm not working, you'll find me building fun side projects like an F1 fantasy website, gaming on my PS5, or listening to metal at full volume.

From product management to design systems & research, here's where I've been

Resume

8+ Years in the Industry

2024 - 2025	Indiana University	Graduate Assistant
2021 - 2023	Nurture India	Contract Product Manager & Developer
2021 - 2022	National Institute of Urban Affairs	Contract Product Manager & Developer
2020 - 2021	Nykaa	Product Manager
2017 - 2020	POPxo	Product Manager
2015 - 2016	Hikari Tsushin, Inc	Technical Manager
2014 - 2015	Hikari Tsushin, Inc	Front-end Engineer

Things I'm currently obsessed with

About Me

Gaming RPGs Soulslike

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the best games I've played in a long time. I love when small teams can come together to build something magical.

Music Concerts Metal Prog Rock

I'm obsessed with metal and prog rock — the heavier, the better. I recently saw the Sessanta tour live, and Maynard's voice was heavenly.

Formula 1 F1 Fantasy

Being a Ferrari fan is a character-building exercise. To cope, I've been building my own F1 Fantasy site because if Ferrari won't bring the fun, I will.

Hover to see more

Click to see more

Here are 6 philosophies you can always expect from me

I lead with empathy

I center users in the process—but I also bring that same care to my team, shaping products and culture with intention.

Design should be at the strategy table

I advocate for design that drives impact, not decoration. Good design influences vision, not just execution.

I ask for feedback and actually use it

I believe feedback isn't just a formality; it's a vital tool that shapes better products and stronger teams.

I stay steady when things get chaotic

I keep calm under pressure, helping the team focus and navigate challenges without losing sight of our goals.

I like to keep things easy for everyone

That means clear communication and going the extra mile whenever I can.

I'm curious and love learning

I listen deeply, keep learning, and chase patterns—whether in user behavior, team dynamics, or product metrics.