Profile
I am Pranav Waykar - designer, engineer by training, and an endlessly curious person interested in how systems shape human experience.
My formal training has been in Computer Engineering, where I learned to think in logic, constraints, and structure.
It was during the Strategic Design program at the Center for Complexity, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) that my focus began to shift. Over time, I found myself more interested in how people navigate complexity than in the systems powering it. That shift eventually led me to product design.
Much of my work involves untangling data-heavy, ambiguous problem spaces and shaping them into structured, usable experiences. I enjoy that challenge. I find satisfaction in bringing clarity where things initially seem ambiguous and overwhelming.
Outside of work, curiosity takes different forms.
It often leads to weekends spent buried in books, much to my family's dismay. It keeps me intellectually honest and mindful of how much there is to learn.
I have recently taken up photography. I am quite a beginner, but it has begun shaping how I see the world. Light, framing, patience, and noticing small details have made the process deeply rewarding. It forces me to slow down, observe, and move intentionally. These habits spill into my design work more than I'd like to admit.
I've taught an 18-week product design program for aspiring designers and have also volunteered to teach 7th-grade students at a local school through an NGO. Teaching, whether to professionals or school students, keeps me grounded. Explaining concepts in simple terms is often the fastest way to understand them yourself.
I'm still learning, both as a designer and as a person. I value thoughtful work, honest conversations, and the discipline of improving a little each day.
If you'd like to connect about design, books, photography, or just ideas, I'm always open to a conversation.