Hi, I'm Yashna. Nice to meet you :)

I didn't set out to become a designer.

I studied Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and began my career as a full-stack software engineer at Mastercard and later Pinterest, building products used by millions of people. While I enjoyed solving technical problems, I found myself gravitating toward opportunities that extended beyond engineering.

Whenever a project needed an interface mocked up, a new workflow thought through, or a user experience improved, I was eager to jump in. I started taking on small design projects alongside my engineering work, creating prototypes, exploring interaction patterns, and collaborating closely with designers and product managers. I realized I looked forward to those moments more than writing the code itself.

That curiosity quickly grew into something bigger. I became fascinated by the decisions behind great products, how thoughtful design can simplify complexity, shape behavior, and create experiences that people genuinely enjoy using. Eventually, I realized I wanted to be the person defining those experiences from the beginning.

Today, I design products at the intersection of technology, creativity, and storytelling. My engineering background helps me think systematically and collaborate closely with developers, while my passion for design drives me to create intuitive, thoughtful experiences that balance user needs, business goals, and a strong sense of craft.

As AI continues to evolve, I'm especially excited by the opportunity to design experiences that make powerful technology feel approachable, useful, and deeply human.