User Centric Design is a game changer, by creating interactive digital experiences that not only simplify complex processes, improve accessibility, and enhance productivity, but also solve pressing user problems.
Sangeeth Kumar, our next pathbreaker, work as a Product Designer at Solera, a US-based company that specializes in vehicle lifecycle management.
Sangeeth talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about working on the design of a hyper-local delivery app for Madurai, during the pandemic, which taught him about startups, problem-solving, and designing for real-world needs.
For students, take advantage of online resources, participate in projects, and build a portfolio, even if it’s just for fun at first. Learning by doing is the best way to acquire skills and gain experience.
Sangeeth, can you explain your background to our young readers?
I studied Mechanical Engineering, which provided me with a solid foundation in problem-solving. My interest in design began in 7th grade when I discovered Photoshop. I spent countless hours learning through YouTube tutorials, honing skills in typography, color theory, and layout. Throughout my engineering studies, I dabbled in web design for personal projects, which ignited my passion for digital product design. After graduating, I transitioned into UX/UI design, combining my engineering mindset with my design skills.
Currently, I work as a product designer at a US-based company in the automotive industry, blending my early passion for design with a structured problem-solving approach.
What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?
I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from a Tier 3 college in Tamil Nadu. While my undergraduate studies focused on mechanical design and problem-solving, they also helped me develop a structured approach to tackling challenges. Currently, I’m pursuing my Master’s in Design at Jindal School of Art & Architecture, specializing in User Experience and specialization in AI, to deepen my understanding of design principles and further refine my skills.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Visual Design?
In my school days, I discovered Photoshop. While others were focused on social media, I enjoyed editing photos, telling stories through visuals, and experimenting with effects. This early passion for visual design laid a strong foundation.
In college, my interest in design grew when I was tasked with organizing a symposium for our mechanical department. I designed the event’s website, brochures, and marketing materials, which showed me how my skills could make an impact.
During the pandemic, my friends and I created a hyper-local delivery app for our city, Madurai. I was the sole designer, and this experience taught me about startups, problem-solving, and designing for real-world needs. The app’s success even led to a client from the Netherlands, giving me international exposure and cementing my decision to pursue design as a career.
These milestones—school projects, college experiences, and entrepreneurial ventures—shaped my path and transformed my passion into a profession.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career?
To transition into design, I built on my background in mechanical engineering and my long-standing interest in visual design. Early on, I started learning Photoshop on my own and created designs, including movie posters, which sparked my passion for design. I applied the problem-solving approach I learned in engineering to design thinking. After graduation, I explored web design by creating personal projects, which led me to realize that I wanted to focus on digital product design. I pursued multiple online certifications and self-studied further, which equipped me with the skills I needed to transition into UX/UI design. My journey wasn’t linear, but a blend of engineering, self-learning, and hands-on projects that ultimately guided me to where I am now.
How did you get your first break?
My first break came when I collaborated with friends to build a hyper-local delivery app in Madurai. My role as the sole designer gave me the hands-on experience needed to understand user needs and design functional, user-friendly interfaces. This experience led to an opportunity to design an MVP for a client from the Netherlands, which marked the start of my professional design career. This project was pivotal, as it helped me gain confidence and credibility, opening doors to my first professional design role.
Vacus Tech was my first experience working outside my hometown. As part of a small design team, I wore multiple hats—handling UX/product design, physical product design, marketing materials, websites, and more. The company specialises in IoT solutions, focusing on indoor asset tracking using RFID technology and data centre management to optimise server efficiency through temperature and humidity monitoring. My role allowed me to work across both digital and physical design streams, providing a well-rounded learning experience in a fast-paced startup environment.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Adapting to a new career after engineering.
When I decided to transition from mechanical engineering to product design, the biggest challenge was overcoming the gap in knowledge and experience. I addressed this by committing to continuous learning through online courses, tutorials, and certifications. I also applied what I learned through personal projects and freelancing to gain practical experience.
Balancing multiple roles and responsibilities in the startup phase.
During the hyper-local delivery app project, my friends and I wore multiple hats—designers, developers, and even delivery drivers. It was challenging to manage time and responsibilities effectively. I learned to prioritize tasks, communicate clearly with my team, and stay focused on the end goal, which helped us successfully launch the app.
Building credibility as a designer in a competitive field.
To establish myself as a credible designer, I worked on side projects, built a portfolio, and actively engaged with the design community online. Networking, attending meetups, and sharing my work on platforms like LinkedIn and Medium helped me gain visibility and trust within the industry.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
I currently work as a product designer at Solera, a US-based company that specializes in vehicle lifecycle management.
Solera is a global leader in vehicle lifecycle management and a multi-million dollar company. The concept of lifecycle management covers everything from purchasing a vehicle, buying insurance, servicing and repairs, managing accidental damage coverage, to eventually recycling or sending the car to salvage yards. Solera handles the entire flow, ensuring seamless integration across these stages.
In addition to this, Solera has a strong focus on fleet management. This involves maintaining large fleets for major clients like Pepsi, Toyota, Benz, and Canada Carthage. These companies rely on Solera’s SaaS and mobile applications to track and manage their fleets efficiently. With over 300 products, Solera serves as a B2B powerhouse, continuously expanding by acquiring new companies and innovating in the automotive tech space.
As a designer at Solera, my role involves overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of digital products. I work closely with users to gather feedback, create and refine designs, and align user needs with business goals. This includes everything from conceptualizing ideas to collaborating with developers to ensure feasibility and timely delivery. It’s a comprehensive process, balancing user expectations, business objectives, and technical constraints, allowing me to contribute meaningfully at every stage of product development.
My role involves designing digital products, from mobile apps to SaaS platforms, ensuring they are user-friendly, functional, and aligned with business goals. I work on both UI and UX design, focusing on user research, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
What skills are needed for the job? How did you acquire the skills?
Skills required for my job include a deep understanding of design principles, UX research, prototyping, and collaboration tools like Figma. I acquired these skills through online courses, certifications, and hands-on experience with real-world projects.
What’s a typical day like? What is it you love about this job?
A typical day involves collaborating with product managers and developers, creating wireframes and prototypes, and refining designs based on user feedback. I also review and update the design system to ensure consistency across projects.
What I love about this job is the opportunity to solve complex problems through design, the constant learning and growth, and the impact my work has on real users.
How does your work benefit society?
My work as a product designer benefits society by creating user-friendly digital experiences that simplify complex processes, improve accessibility, and enhance productivity. By designing products that solve real problems, I help businesses provide value to their customers, ultimately improving their quality of life and experience. For example, the autonomous hiring platform I designed helps reduce bias in recruitment, promoting fairer hiring practices.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One memorable project was the redesign of a critical app for Pepsi, which helped secure a renewed contract for my company. The project challenged me to create a seamless user experience while aligning with business goals and Pepsi’s brand values. The feedback from the client was overwhelmingly positive, and knowing my work contributed to the success of the project made it especially rewarding.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
My advice to students is to stay curious and open to learning. Don’t be afraid to explore different career paths or fields, as your passion can evolve over time. Take advantage of online resources, participate in projects, and build a portfolio, even if it’s just for fun at first. Learning by doing is the best way to acquire skills and gain experience. Most importantly, don’t rush the process—career growth is a journey, not a race.
Future Plans?
In the future, I plan to continue expanding my skills, especially in emerging areas like AR/VR and AI-driven design. I aim to take on leadership roles, mentoring others and helping to shape the design strategies within my organization. I also hope to contribute to the design community by sharing my knowledge and experiences through talks and articles.