I DESIGN USER EXPERIENCES AND INTERACTIONS.
I am an interaction designer at Salesforce.com in San Francisco, CA where my latest project is to improve the user experience of the Salesforce AppExchange. In the past, I have designed real-time, collaboration and content tools for Chatter on the web, desktop, and Android phone. Check out my design process below:
MY HEART IS IN MY WORK.
SALESFORCE.COM
WHAT I DO: UX Design for AppExchange, Have also worked on Chatter (Desktop, Web & Android Mobile), Post Daily Design Challenges for Team (#morningdesign)
ACHIEVEMENTS: Team Oscar for Universal Design, Release Award for Best Innovation Not Yet Released, Volunteered to Teach High Schoolers How to Brainstorm & Refine Mobile App Ideas, Cooper U Visual Design Course (Hosted Brownbag on Completion)
PERSONAL LEARNING: Working at Salesforce has given me the opportunity to work with projects that are both high & low priority (but equally interesting). I worked on both real-time communication/ collaboration tools on Chatter & redesign projects to improve UX on AppExchange. My teams have ranged from large, globally distributed teams to small, local groups. On a daily basis, I work with Product Managers, Devs, QE, Doc Writers, and other designers to help design better products with strong UX. I also make an effort enhance collaboration/creativity within my team through daily design challenges & hopefully hosting an IGNITE session sometmie soon!
LINKS: AppExchange (Publishing Console), Chatter Screensharing (Product Not Yet Released), Chatter Desktop (Redesign Not Yet Released), Chatter Messenger Redesign & Universal Design Specifications, Android Chatterbox Version 1 (Not Yet Released)
NASA ISS WATCH (CMU MHCI CAPSTONE PROJECT)
WHAT I DID: 8 Month Industry Project with Team, Project Management, UX Research & Design
ACHIEVEMENTS: Designed an iPad application for NASA outreach that brought the International Space Station (ISS) Activities & telemetry data into the hands of students.
PERSONAL LEARNING: This project gave me the ability to work with students, teachers, and NASA Specialists to surface the happenings onboard the International Space Station in a way that would captivate the attention of high school and college students. We gathered data from students & teachers before brainstorming hundreds of product ideas. We then combined/ narrowed it down to a single concept and iterated on the design by testing it with students who really responded well as we iterated on our design. I was able to co-lead my team of 5 to ensure we were meeting course/client deadlines in a fast-paced environment burning out.
LINKS: NASA Capstone Project Site
MINE RESCUE ROBOT INTERFACE
WHAT I DID: UX Research & Wireframing
ACHIEVEMENTS:Designed a tablet interface to control a Mine Rescue Robot in the event of an explosion.
PERSONAL LEARNING:Designing an interface for a mine rescue robot was extremely challenging. Our sponsors (CMU Robotics) even had to give us a Mining 101 class to get us up to speed on mines and industry terminology. We conducted extensive user research including: contextual inquiries with robot drivers, observation at a local mine-rescue competition, and a visit to the mines to better understand what it's like down there. We ended up with a paper prototype that we were able to test with an ex-Mine Rescuer. This project really opened my eyes about the importance of strong user research and how it can guide your design.
LINKS: none
WISDOMSHARE
WHAT I DID: Team Class Project, Concept Validation & Initial Design
ACHIEVEMENTS: Designed a mobile application to pair people in need of help with retired professionals.
PERSONAL LEARNING: This application was designed in less than 4 weeks. It gave my team the ability to ideate and think through our idea through the use of user interviews, personas and scenarios.
LINKS: WisdomShare Project Site, App Prototype
Modus Design (Designing and Leading a Business Course)
WHAT I DID: UX Design, Service Design, Branding, User Resarch for a Couple Startups
ACHIEVEMENTS: Worked with CMU Startups to help them improve their branding and user experience.
PERSONAL LEARNING: As part of a class-run design agency (Modus), I was able to work with a couple startups to help them improve their design. For Krowder, I worked with a partner and the co-founders to bridge the gap between their idea and the needs of the end user.
LINKS: Krowder
BOO & RANDOMIZED TREES
WHAT I DID: Design & Dev for Fun Class Projects
ACHIEVEMENTS: Our BOO Project was featured on blogs like Destructoid & Kinect Hacks. I plan on selling pillow cases/wall art made from the randomized trees on Etsy.
PERSONAL LEARNING: This was a fun class that allowed me to come up with fun, interactive ideas and actually develop them! It really pushed my creativity and resourcefulness as I attempted to make my ideas reality.
LINKS: BOO , Desctructoid Article (BOO Hack), Kinect Hacks Article (BOO Hack), Randomized Trees
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
WHO IS NISHA DESAI?
I have an MS in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in Information and Computer Science from UC Irvine. At Carnegie Mellon, I had the opportunity to design for both iOS and Android. I also designed an iPad application for NASA as part of a 9 month capstone project. Previously, I was an SAP/IT Consultant at CSC in Denver, Colorado. In my spare time, I enjoy coming up with new app ideas, taking on creative projects, shopping and eating DONUTS.