I see the forest and the trees, the system and the pixel, the strategy and the craft .

That's how I design: solving problems at scale without losing sight of what makes products feel right.

I came to product design through architecture. Five years of training taught me that microdetails compound upward and that elegant solutions often emerge from working within constraints, not around them. I learned to hold the whole system in my head while designing each connection point with precision.

I've led design at PwC, UnitedHealth Group, and early-stage startups like The Cumin Club. Across these experiences, I've learned that great design isn't just about beautiful interfaces. It's about solving the right problems, creating systems that scale, and building structures that last. The work always looks different but the pattern is the same: I walk into complexity and create clarity.

What drives me is helping teams succeed, whether that's designing products people need, making complex information understandable, or building workflows that make cross-functional teams more effective. I focus on research-driven strategy, stakeholder alignment, and turning insights into shipped products.

How I Work

I was the kid who was crazy about jigsaw puzzles. I loved the satisfaction of breaking a complex picture into pieces and fitting them back together so the seams disappear. That instinct shapes how I work today.

I push beyond the brief

I don't take the problem statement at face value. I dig into the why, surface assumptions, and often find that the real opportunity is adjacent to where we started.

I bring people together.

Good design doesn't happen in a vacuum. I work closely with engineers, PMs, and stakeholders; not just to get buy-in, but to make the work better.

I turn ambiguity into clarity.

When there's no roadmap, I build one. Workflows, documentation, rituals: whatever structure helps the team move forward with confidence.

I design for the whole system.

Every screen exists within a larger context. I think through user flows, edge cases, handoffs, and scale. The details matter, but so does the architecture holding them together.

I can help with

Product Design

End-to-end design from research through shipped product: enterprise platforms, consumer apps, and everything in between.

UX Strategy & Research

Stakeholder alignment, user research, journey mapping, and defining what to build before jumping into pixels.

Design Systems & Process

Creating consistent, scalable systems and establishing workflows that make teams more effective.

Audits & Roadmaps

Evaluating existing products, identifying friction, and delivering actionable recommendations for what to fix and why.

Let's work together

I'd love to help tackle your next big challenge. Drop me a message or book some time to chat!

I'd love to help tackle your next big challenge. Drop me a message!

You can also book some time to chat if you prefer!

© Surya Vaidyanathan 2025. All rights reserved.

Made with filter coffee and 💛.

© Surya Vaidyanathan 2025.

All rights reserved.

Made with filter coffee and 💛.

© Surya Vaidyanathan 2025. All rights reserved.

Made with filter coffee and 💛.