Before We Know, We Feel: On Spatial Intelligence in Experience Design
A reflection on how architecture taught me to see digital spaces as places people live in, even briefly.
May 1, 2026
Read on Medium →
About me
A designer shaped by spatial thinking and quiet intent.
I spent my childhood in the colourful (mostly Pink) city of Jaipur. As the city would seem on the outside, so it was from within - it drew me toward a need to express myself without saying a lot and inadvertently opened doors of creative aspirations in my over imaginative mind. Thus, brushes and quills became my constant companions.
Every sight of the city was a frame etched in my memory which I believe got me to pursue a career path that may land me a role where I could contribute to eventually designing cities myself - Architecture.
Throughout my journey of a 5 year Degree course and 4 years of field experience, I realised two things - one - I am too sensitive in my design approach that was looked down upon by most people I worked with who didn’t value sustainable building practices (mud bricks, living roofs and such), two - I was too organised in my execution to have anyone appreciate my obsession with it.
Well ... off to bigger and scarier adventures! I now empathize with my sensitivity and strategize due to my OCD. My paintings and poems too have taken a profound turn as now I am less stressed about the above traits becoming a liability (pun intended) ;)
“I am a designer skilled at creating meaningful experiences in digital as well as real world.”
My work involves problem solving for the larger part which I go about by having design thinking included in every step of the journey, not because it’s supposed to be a standard practice but also because that is how I have taught myself to look for creative solutions that tell a story people can relate to.
I ask myself - “How can I contribute to making this person’s lives easier?” or “How can I make them realise they need this but might not know it?” - while I ideate.
From clear communication during Steer Co presentations, to thoroughly organised design process, I believe I have figured all (or enough) out to move to a new milestone in my career.
My art has evolved to more tactile mediums of clay and resin, as I am more confident to allow myself to explore and express freely. My poems are now written mostly in Hindi as it makes me be more aware.
From my archive
Profile
Sneha Sharma
Product Designer
Lollypop Design Studio
I design systems and experiences shaped by spatial thinking, structure and human behavior.
Experience
Lollypop Design Studio
Associate Senior UX Designer
Aug 2023 – Present
Selected Work within Experience
Green SM
- User Research
- Competitive Analysis
- Insight Mapping
Conducted primary research across Bangalore and Chennai, conducting 30+ in-depth interviews to uncover behavioral patterns in ride-hailing usage. Benchmarked 6 competitor platforms end-to-end and translated fragmented user concerns into structured insights, informing actionable design directions for improved decision-making.
Zivame
- E-commerce
- Personalization
- Dashboard Design
Designed an insights-driven platform with custom report generation and personalized dashboards to support decision-making.
ACT Smart WiFi
- Product Design
- Systems Thinking
- UX Strategy
Led the design of a smart WiFi ecosystem enabling users to manage devices, usage, and network security seamlessly. Simplified complex backend systems into intuitive user controls, improving accessibility and reducing friction in everyday network interactions.
Sleep Number
- Proof of Concept
- Systems Thinking
- Product Strategy
Designed a connected experience integrating IoT devices to create a personalized sleep ecosystem. Structured interactions around behavioral patterns and real-time data, enabling users to understand and improve their sleep quality through tailored insights and adaptive recommendations.
Surya Lighting
- Proof of Concept
- Digital Experience
- Conversion Design
Designed a connected experience integrating IoT devices to create a personalized sleep ecosystem. Structured interactions around behavioral patterns and real-time data, enabling users to understand and improve their sleep quality through tailored insights and adaptive recommendations.
Zinnov (Decision Intelligence Platform)
- B2B Platform
- Usability Testing
- Business Strategy
Designed a decision intelligence platform for global capability leaders, structuring complex research data into intuitive discovery and validation flows. Improved information architecture and navigation, enabling faster synthesis of insights and more confident decision-making.
Leading Cement Manufacturing & Supply Chain
- Enterprise UX
- Platform Thinking
Led experience design for a unified enterprise platform consolidating 9 disparate applications across sales, finance, and supply chain. Established scalable interaction patterns and workflows, reducing fragmentation and aligning cross-functional business operations.
Peak XV (Sequoia Capital)
- Proof of Concept
- Community Platforms
Designed a proof-of-concept to strengthen community-driven learning for early-stage founders. Structured discovery and engagement flows to simplify access to insights, peer knowledge, and curated content. Translated abstract ecosystem needs into a scalable product direction that improves participation and knowledge exchange.
Mordor Intelligence
- E-commerce
- Personalization
Designed a research-driven e-commerce platform with custom reporting and personalized dashboards. Structured content and interactions to support efficient data consumption, enabling users to move from discovery to insight generation with reduced cognitive load.
Studio Ardete
Architect
Nov 2021 – Jul 2023
Selected Work within Experience
Purwa Village
- Spatial Design
- Sustainability
- Research
Led design and on-ground execution for a community development project focused on biodiversity, organic farming, and natural building practices. Managed stakeholder coordination and translated research insights into implementable spatial strategies.
Design Communication & Publications
- Graphic Design
- Content Writing
Developed architectural representation and storytelling assets for publications across platforms like ArchDaily. Bridged design thinking with communication, crafting narratives that translated complex ideas into accessible visual formats.
Hunnarshala
Fellow Architect & Researcher
May 2021 – Sep 2021
Community Development Centre
Purwa Village
- Field Research
- Sustainability
- Research
- Community Development
Collaborated on the design of a community and skill development centre in Bhuj. Conducted field research across 6 villages, analyzing construction practices and lifestyle patterns to inform sustainable design interventions.
FM Garden Infrastructure
Architect
Feb 2021 – July 2021
FM Garden City
- Urban Planning
- Design Execution
- Site Coordination
Designed residential units and contributed to township planning, including villas, apartments, and market spaces. Worked across concept development, execution drawings, and on-site coordination.
MO:FA | SD Architects | The Traditionals | Hafeez Contractor
Junior Architect
July 20019 – Feb 2021
Residential, Hospitality, Commercial & Institutional Projects
- Design
- Design Execution
- Interior
Worked across architectural and interior design firms contributing to large-scale projects, including institutional and commercial developments. Gained experience in execution, stakeholder coordination, and presentation design.
Education
- Interaction Design Certification
- IISc Bangalore
- UX Design Certification
- Carvaan
- B.Arch
- Aayojan School of Architecture, Jaipur
Core Capabilities
- UX Strategy
- Research & Synthesis
- Design Systems
- Business Strategy
- UX Writing
- Systems Thinking
- Conversion Design
- User Research
- Competitive Analysis
- Insight Mapping
- Spatial Thinking
- Critical Thinking
- Storytelling
- Decision Facilitation
- Structured Communication
- Stakeholder Coordination
- Expectation Management
- Proactiveness
- Designed-Up Leadership
If something here resonated, take a closer look.
Download Resume