I design for the ripples between people, technology and systems.
I design developer tools, data platforms and AI-assisted workflows, and make technically dense products easy to understand and trust.
8+ years of experience. Currently at Microsoft (Fabric & Azure Data), previously Fractal Analytics.
Based in ON, Canada, since Nov 2026
Brands I’ve created impact for
Microsoft
Google
McKesson
Bupa
Sanofi
Franklin Templeton
IFB Appliances
TI Cycles of India
Bormioli Pharma
National Jute Board
Selected work
Four projects, two companies.
Hover (or tap) a project for more context. Some of this is internal or client work, so full detail is best shared on a call.
- Show here: The Fabric job graph beside the VS Code graph. Optional: the before/after graph revision.
An internal big-data platform used by thousands of engineers. They had to jump between tools to connect what a job was doing with the code and data behind it. I designed one investigation model for two environments: a guided path in Fabric, and a dense in-editor experience in VS Code.
Key decisions separate signals for progress, outcome and node type; states for partial analysis; links from graph stages to code and operators.
Status: Fabric in development.
Client details can be shared in conversation.
Developer toolsGraph interactionAccessibility - Show here: A lineage graph around a selected stream, and a before/after view of a proposed resource change.
When an output goes missing, knowing a job failed doesn’t say where its data came from or who depends on it. I designed a lineage view engineers can follow across jobs, streams and columns, and a governance flow that shows administrators the consequence of a change before they apply it.
Key decisions state the limits of the data so a missing link is not mistaken for certainty; keep selected accounts and the proposed result visible.
Status: lineage approaching private preview; governance flows designed and expert-reviewed.
Client details can be shared in conversation.
Data lineageTrust and uncertaintyAdmin workflows - Show here: The approach diagram, from opportunity to validated recommendation, plus one insight turned into a recommendation.
A leading technology company wanted its GenAI support chatbot to resolve more issues and pass fewer users to human agents. I used LLM analysis of call and chat data, and a behavioural audit of transcripts and help pages, to find where users got stuck and why. In one flow, 84% of users (222 of 263 cases) could not verify, abandoned the chat or declined to respond. I split that into “how to” queries and profile-specific queries, and wrote model recommendations for each, validated with subject experts.
Key decisions a transcript selection framework to focus on the most relevant conversations; a behavioural read of what users think and feel at each step; insights linked to specific model changes.
Client details can be shared in conversation.
GenAIBehavioural researchLLM analysis - Show here: A workshop board or journey map, one high-fidelity wireframe and the colour and style guide.
Leading U.S. pharmaceutical companies needed analytics platforms to improve process optimisation and pricing accuracy. The teams building them (data scientists, designers, researchers, engineers) needed a shared view of inputs, outputs and users. I aligned the team across disciplines, mapped journeys and stakeholders with the clients, and designed the information architecture, wireframes and a style guide so the platforms were consistent and easier to adopt.
Key decisions agree inputs and outputs across disciplines before design began; map real stakeholders, not assumed ones; one style guide to standardise the platforms.
Client details can be shared in conversation.
Process transformationInformation architectureDesign standards
Also at Fractal: a GenAI tool that tells a global investment firm’s sales team which advisor to contact and what to discuss, and a two-year analytics roadmap for a health insurer that prioritised 16 of about 80 use cases.
AI tooling
Things I’ve built.
Selected images
Gallery.
About
Systems thinker. Researcher. Maker.
I’m a Product Designer and Researcher with 8+ years of experience in data, AI and user experience. I’m currently part of the Data Cloud experience design team at Microsoft, where I design for complex, data-intensive systems and make technical workflows easier to use. Before this, I was a Senior Design Researcher and Strategist on the Fractal Experience team, working on AI and behavioural design.
My work is shaped by a curiosity for how people think, decide and interact with systems. I’m drawn to complex, ambiguous problems and enjoy breaking them down into clear, structured experiences.
Outside work I explore design in hands-on, experimental ways, mainly upcycling and wildlife conservation.
Experience
Where I’ve worked.
UX Designer II, Microsoft Fabric and Azure Data
Dec 2024 - Present · BengaluruDesigning developer and data-platform experiences for engineers working with large-scale distributed systems: VS Code workflows, monitoring and diagnostics, and AI-assisted tools.
Senior Design Researcher and Strategist, Fractal Analytics
Oct 2023 - Nov 2024 · BengaluruWorked with the Fractal Experience team on AI and behavioural design, uncovering and visualising the factors that shape decision-making. Facilitated and drove solutions for major companies, including US Fortune 10 companies.
Design Researcher and Strategist, Fractal Analytics
Dec 2021 - Sep 2023 · BengaluruWorked on adoption, process change, customer engagement and risk for large healthcare, pharma, technology and financial services clients. Used research and behavioural data to produce journeys, system maps and strategic recommendations.
Industrial Design Executive, IFB Industries
Apr 2019 - Dec 2021 · GoaResearch, concept and product development for consumer appliances, balancing users, business, engineering and sustainability. (Product design intern, Feb - Aug 2018.)
B.Des Product Design, National Institute of Design
2014 - 2019 · Ahmedabad
Recognition
Awards, talks and press.
National winner of the James Dyson Award in 2019 and a member of its India jury in 2020. Also a finalist or semifinalist at the Adobe, Taiwan and Honeywell design competitions. Use the tabs for talks, publications and press.
Colleagues say
Words from people I’ve worked with.
“Your work … showed real attention to detail, creative problem solving, and a strong commitment to improving usability, design system consistency, and accessibility. You handled the work thoughtfully from ideation through reviews, refinement, and handoff, and the outcome reflects your ability to turn complexity into a more intuitive experience.
I also want to recognize your curiosity and leadership around AI. You have shown a strong willingness to learn, experiment responsibly, and help others adopt better AI-assisted workflows through workshops and hands-on exploration.”
“Ashwathy has been instrumental in ensuring high stakes high demand project under consumer devices has been successful thus far. She has really helped establish a strong foundation of rigour in research in the team. Possibly one of the most thoughtful researchers I have seen in the team and it’s her dedication to work that sees her through.”
“Her attention to detail is unmatched; nothing ever slips past her. She has an incredible knack for simplifying even the most complex processes, making them clear and easy for the whole team to follow. … No matter how big or small the project, Ash always finds a way to deliver exceptional results without ever compromising on quality.”