In the dynamic field of digital product design, Priya Guruprakash Rao has emerged as a transformative force, redefining user experience (UX) strategies with her expertise. With over 15 years of experience, she has successfully driven innovation across industries, helping organisations craft intuitive and efficient digital solutions.

"User experience is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating meaningful interactions that drive engagement and business success," says Priya, whose work spans research-driven design, interaction design, and information architecture. Her ability to bridge the gap between qualitative and quantitative research has made her a sought-after expert in UX strategy.

Having worked with Fortune 500 companies, Priya has consistently delivered impactful results. "Every digital product should be a seamless extension of user needs," she explains. At Zomato Inc., her redesign of the online ordering system led to a 25% increase in engagement and conversions. Similarly, during her time at Amazon, she optimized e-commerce experiences, boosting gift card purchases by 10%.

Her deep commitment to research has been a defining aspect of her career. "Understanding user behavior through data is crucial for making informed design decisions," she states. Her award-winning research papers at IEEE IPCC 2011 and her talk at IxDA Columbus on "Hybrid Insights" highlight her contributions to advancing UX methodologies.

Priya’s work at Microsoft’s Lync team underscores her ability to enhance product strategy through extensive usability studies, resulting in a 15% rise in user satisfaction. At Urbanspoon, she established a usability testing framework that reduced user errors by 20%. "Strategic usability testing ensures that products evolve in alignment with real user needs," she adds.

Her expertise in performance optimisation is another standout area. By leveraging A/B testing, heat mapping, and user journey analytics, she has resolved complex usability challenges. "The key is to anticipate user pain points before they arise," she says. Her design systems have streamlined development processes, improving efficiency metrics by over 30% across various organisations.

With a Master’s in Human-Centered Design & Engineering from the University of Washington and a Master of Computer Applications from Madras University, Priya combines technical acumen with human-centered principles. "A strong foundation in both design and technology allows for holistic problem-solving," she notes.

Her nomination for the 2024 Robert D Walter Founder Award reflects her significant industry impact. "True innovation happens at the intersection of research, design, and business goals," Priya emphasises. As a leader in UX, she continues to push boundaries, ensuring digital products are not only functional but also transformative.