Hi, I’m Ananya. I'm currently pursuing my Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Maryland.

Growing up in Bangalore, a city shaped by people, languages, food, and cultures from all over India, made me curious about how people navigate everyday systems and experiences. I studied Human-Centered Design during my undergrad, where I explored everything from building synthesizers and designing board games to ethnographic research and filmmaking. I was drawn to moving across mediums and ways of thinking, constantly switching between making, observing, storytelling, and research.

My interests lie at the intersection of explainable and trustworthy AI, XR and immersive learning experiences,. Across my work, I enjoy simplifying complexity while still keeping experiences transparent and playful.

Outside of design, I sketch, paint, experiment with new recipes, and get very competitive during board game nights.