We had the good fortune of connecting with Shiveesh Fotedar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shiveesh, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
One thing that outsiders are unaware of the Product Design industry is the affect of simple things as fonts and colors have on the end user. Its is easy to dismiss them as vanity on top of utility but there is an underlying cognitive bias people have called aesthetic usability bias that refers to the aspect of people thinking something is more useful when its aesthetically pleasing.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My design practice is based at the intersection of human interface and digital representation of human intent. I experiment with various media such as Virtual and Augmented reality, projection mapping and voice interfaces to test the bounds of my practice. My path to my career was zig zag from experimenting in electrical engineering of power systems and Film editing. I was always fascinated on the control and communication of information in machines. This interest developed from two sides, on the engineering side , I went into the control of big machinery at power plants and factories to understand how human intent is translated into complex actions , on the art side I explored Film editing , understanding pacing , composition and communication of human emotion developed my specific knowledge of understanding the human interface paradigm. This is relatively a new field and I could not look upto people who had done it before, so the real challenge was to craft my own path to pursue this interest. I often joke I invented my way into my job.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the Bay Area for a week, I would plan an exciting itinerary to showcase the best of what the region has to offer. Here’s a sample week-long itinerary:

Day 1: San Francisco Sights Start the day by exploring the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, either by walking or biking across it. Then, head to Fisherman’s Wharf for a delicious clam chowder bread bowl and a stroll along the waterfront. In the afternoon, visit the Palace of Fine Arts and the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum. End the day with a cable car ride and dinner in Chinatown or North Beach.

Day 2: Muir Woods and Sausalito Escape the city and venture into the stunning Muir Woods National Monument to marvel at the towering redwood trees. After a peaceful hike, head to the charming town of Sausalito for a leisurely lunch by the water and some shopping at the boutiques.

Day 3: Wine Country Spend the day in Napa Valley or Sonoma, exploring the world-renowned wineries and indulging in wine tastings. Stop for a picnic lunch at one of the vineyards or enjoy a farm-to-table meal at a local restaurant. If time permits, visit the Castello di Amorosa, a 121,000-square-foot authentic medieval-style Tuscan castle and winery.

Day 4: Berkeley and Oakland Start the day in Berkeley, exploring the UC Berkeley campus and the quirky Telegraph Avenue. Grab lunch at one of the many ethnic eateries or food trucks. In the afternoon, head to Oakland and check out the vibrant Uptown neighborhood, with its street art, breweries, and lively nightlife.

Day 5: Silicon Valley and Stanford Immerse yourself in the tech world by visiting the campuses of tech giants like Google, Apple, or Facebook (if tours are available). Then, explore Stanford University’s beautiful campus and the charming downtown area of Palo Alto.

Day 6: San Jose and Santa Cruz Visit the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, which offers interactive exhibits on science and technology. In the afternoon, drive to Santa Cruz and stroll along the iconic Beach Boardwalk, ride the roller coasters, and enjoy the beach.

Day 7: San Francisco Neighborhoods Spend the last day exploring San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods, such as the Mission District for its vibrant murals and trendy eateries, Haight-Ashbury for its hippie vibe, and the Castro for its LGBTQ+ culture. End the day with a sunset cruise on the bay or a night out in Union Square.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I like to shoutout , Anirudh Sharma, anirudhsharma.crypto@gmail.com. He is a mentor to me and has been at the forefront of all interface design and technology.

Website: https://www.shiveesh.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sfoartist/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiveesh/

Twitter: https://x.com/shiveeshfotedar

Image Credits
Shiveesh Fotedar,
ArtCenter College of Design

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