I’m Bhoomika — an architect turned UX Researcher who climbs rocks for fun and dives deep for insights
Learning to Build with People, Not Just for Them
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I began in South Africa as a community architect, designing public spaces with and for local communities. Working closely with residents in Alexandra Township taught me that research isn’t about imposing solutions—it’s about listening, building trust, and co-creating with intention.
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Bringing Empathy to Early-Stage AI Tools​
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Curious about how people interact with technology, I transitioned into UX design at a stealth AI startup. I helped shape intelligent tools from the ground up—advocating for clarity, accessibility, and first-time users in a space that often centers engineers over people.​
Diving Deeper: From Design to Human-Centered Research​
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To explore design at a systems level, I joined the MS in Human-Centered Design & Engineering program at the University of Washington. One opportunity led to another—and I joined Sound Transit’s UX research team, helping redesign their Unified Control Center system. I conducted fieldwork, interviews, and journey mapping to understand the complexity of real-time decisions in transit operations.
How I Work: Calm in Chaos, Structure in Ambiguity​
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I specialize in mixed-methods UX research—blending qualitative insight with systems thinking. Whether I’m in a hospital, a control center, or a co-design session, I listen deeply, synthesize fast, and make research feel actionable, not abstract.
Climbing Taught Me to Trust the Process​
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Outside of research, I’m a climbing instructor at UW Crags. I love pushing limits—on the wall and in my work. Climbing has taught me flow, focus, and that progress comes from presence. It’s not just a sport—it’s how I move through the world.
