About – Ananya Harshini

Strategic, Human-Centered Designer

Hi, I’m Ananya — a strategic, human-centered designer with 3+ years of experience designing brand and product experiences that align people, systems, and purpose.

At Parsons School of Design, I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Strategic Design Management while working across UI/UX, brand, and communication with strategy at the core.

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I design strategic experiences that turn complexity into clarity; aligning people, products, and purpose.

by

uncovering insights and shaping systems that balance user needs with business goals

and

building narratives, brands, and products that scale with intention.

MY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

“We don’t need designers who make more stuff – we need designers who can make new worlds that are just, kind, and equitable.”

— Echoing the thoughts of John Thackara

I believe design is not just a tool for building – it’s a way of seeing, questioning, and realigning. To design well, one must see the world clearly and align thought, word, and action with care.

That is the kind of work I strive to do: not additive, but transformative.

EXPERTISE

🎯 Strategy & Leadership

🧠 Design & Systems Thinking

💬 Communication & Facilitation

TECHNICAL SKILLS

🎨 Design & Creative Tools

📐 UX, Prototyping & Systems

🧠 AI & Emerging Tech

🧰 Strategy & Workflow Tools

💡 Specialized Skills

AWARDS & RECOGNITIIONS

Rotman Design Challenge A Business Design Case Competition

Hosted by the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

1st Place : Team Northstar

Team Lead: Ananya Harshini

Team Members: Alana Rhodin, Yash Sonwaney, Youngjun Shin, Meenu Jain

Duration: January 2025 – March 2025

Our team tackled a real-world business problem posed by Intact Insurance using a
human-centered design approach, blending strategy, innovation, and empathy to deliver
a solution grounded in user needs and business impact.

Newsletter:

https://blogs.newschool.edu/news/2025/05/ms-strategic-design-and-management-students-win-rotman-design-challenge/

Represented School of International Affairs,

The New School at The United Nations of Academic Impact

Team Members: Ananya Harshini, Aakanksha Marulkar, Medha Dhoundiyal, Sukanya Pasi
Faculty Supervisors: Prof. Mark Johnson, Prof. Peter Hoffman 

Duration: January 2025 – May 2025

To implement measureable SDG framework to achieve 2030 Sustainable Development Goal.

Represented the Next Generation Kids AI Audio Player of

Vobble at The New York Toy Fair in March 2025

Managed Logistics and Operations with Vobble Team in India & represented the brand with Co-Founder Sowmya Jagannath and my peers Ritu Pant & Avantika Kulkarni with the guidance of Co-Founder Neha Sharma & Head of Marketing Arpit Sharma.

ON-GOING CERTIFICATIONS

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HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Journey over the years

June
2019-23

Enrolled in B.Des, Business Service & System Design

Began my undergraduate journey at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and technology, Bengaluru, diving into courses on Service Design, Systems Thinking, branding, Understanding Ecosystems, Business Design, and visual communication, laying the foundation for a strong design career.

February
2020 - 22

Part-time

I joined as a design intern and grew into a hybrid role spanning client servicing, UI design, brand decks, and event collateral. Helped deliver 10+ web and branding projects laying the foundation for how I navigate client relationships and cross-functional teams today.

May 2022 (8 Months)

Internship

A pivotal summer internship where I managed social media calendar designs and campaigns for 5 FMCG brands, including Tipplr, Lulu Mall, and Lil’ Goodness. It sharpened my skills in marketing, design tools, content strategy, moodboarding and storytelling across platforms all while collaborating in a fast-paced agency setup.

June 2023

Graduated — B.Des, Business Service & System Design

While internships gave me real-world exposure, school offered a space to turn theory into practice. In my final year, I worked on two client-led community projects that merged visual storytelling with business service design sharpening my ability to design with both empathy and systems in mind.

At every step, I was fortunate to find mentors across classrooms and studios who continue to shape my thinking and being a part of my journey (till date).

May - December 2023

Setting up a Sustainable Organic E-Local Platform for a Business

At Briclay, I helped redefine the service model of a local vendor e-commerce platform by blending business strategy with UX. I formed and led the design team, collaborated on product development, and played a pivotal role in setting up the business and marketing foundation for the next term from digital platforms to vendor storytelling and brand communications.

January - July 2024

Full Time Brand Designer

Vobble has been a sacred part of my journey, a place where I found mentors, a supportive culture, and an energy that kept me inspired every day. I redesigned their website (3× increase in conversions), crafted campaigns for Toy’s R Us and Shark Tank, and supported their U.S. launch by aligning with all stakeholders across logistics, creative execution, and brand storytelling at the New York Toy Fair.

August 2024- Ongoing

Enrolled in M.Science, Strategic Design Management (STEM Integrated)

I was thrilled to be accepted into the Master’s program in Strategic Design Management at Parsons School of Design, New York. With a consistent 4.0 GPA, I’ve been deepening my understanding of systems thinking, strategic innovation, and organizational design.

Beyond academics, I work as a Research Assistant to Professor John Payne and as a Student Assistant supporting events and communications for the MS SDM program. I also founded the Parsons Badminton Club building a vibrant community on campus and securing $7,000 in funding for the 2024–2025 academic year.

AS OF TODAY...

I continue to be driven by curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. 

I’m seeking internship opportunities to collaborate with industry experts, design meaningful solutions, and contribute real value all while learning through real-world practice.

Resume

WHEN I’M NOT
DESIGNING...

by the way, amidst all of these a walk by the waterfront with my playlist is always the best during sunrise & sunsets:)

Note: Almost all images are from Pinterest, but I love surfing, playing badminton and pickleball, exploring local communities and the countryside, and reading a book on a rainy day with a cup of coffee.