hi, nice to meet you!
i'm gaya (short for gayathri), and i get excited about social impact, design education, and helping underserved communities. oh yeah, and also coffee!
i’m a third year international relations student at george mason university my unique background allows me view problems from a global perspective and enables me to solve pivotal issues by designing compelling product experiences based on user needs.
in 2020, i took a leap of faith and switched gears from pre-law into ux design. looking back, it was one of the craziest yet most fulfilling decisions i've ever made which has acted as a catalyst for my growth as both a designer and person. now, i’m spending my last semester in university and gaining project experience through my time at the inclusive group.
my research and design process is deeply rooted in empathy and curiosity — notice a pattern yet? i tend to gravitate toward projects that empower underrepresented communities. as designers, we have a special skill that allows us to look at problems and create changes that are sustainable, mindful, and accessible.
curious to learn more about my work? let’s get coffee! say hey on linkedin or send me an email!
what i've been up to...
curating designs
👩🏻💻 ux design apprentice at the inclusive group
👩🏻💻 ux design intern at yellowtin
🎨 graphic designer at chateau de chantilly
interacting with the design community
🧩 volunteering at designers group for good
📚 attending the sustainable ux playbook conferences
exploring life and all it has to offer
🍊 visiting a local farmers market every weekend
🎂 baking a sweet treat for my loved ones
🎀 trying my hand at sewing a dress
most importantly, i'm on a never-ending mission to prioritize self-care and show myself and others kindness and compassion. in a busy world such as ours, it is easy to prioritize work and responsibilities at the cost of our mental health and emotional wellbeing. my motivation is to pursue the small things in life that bring me endless joy (like chocolate covered strawberries and picnics with friends)
what people are saying about me...
“Kind-hearted, passionate, and professional” are the words that come to mind when I think about Gaya and the work that we did together. I had the pleasure of working with Gaya at the Inclusive Group - she is an intentional UX designer whose design solutions aim to impact the business, customer, and community; her passion for empowering communities with delightful design is truly evident in her design work"
Sarah Kuo
UX Design Lead - Inclusive
"She has an incredible intellectual capacity, an innate curiosity, and a unique tact to generate and understand empathy with users, projects, and her colleagues. All of that is essential to be a great professional, but without a doubt, her best quality is how open she is to listening and experimenting with the suggestions she is given. She doesn't just stay with an idea but explores the reality behind it."
Adonay Lizardo
UX Consultant & Mentor
"I’ve worked with many UX Designers but Gaya was one of the best. She consistently gave 100% of herself to our team and was critical in ensuring the completion of our projects by the deadline. Gaya was always reliable and professional, and she was a positive influence on all of us during stressful times. One of the many skills she possesses, her communication and presentation skills stood out to me. She's able to express her ideas in a succinct manner and she's not afraid to speak her mind."
Jackie Kiener
UX Design Lead - Inclusive
how volleyball shaped me as a designer...
playing volleyball for hours a day for the past year has taught me how to make intentional decisions in fast-paced environments. similar to how i came from a non-design background into ux design, my journey from being a couch potato to a competitve volleyball player has taught me so much about challenging myself and understanding the iterative process to become a better player - and inadverdently a better designer.
🤝 becoming a team player
playing on a team taught me to be mindful of my actions and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal
💪🏼 overcoming self-doubt
although i didn't have the same path as others, i learned to embrace my unique strengths and give myself credit when deserved
🏐 quickly making impactful decisions
performing in a high-stakes competitive environment has refined my ability to make discerning decisions and take responsibility for the consequences