Meet Siya Jain | User Experience Designer

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

Hi Siya, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
“What do you want to become when you grow up?” a simple question that often stumped me in middle school, conflicted as I was with expectations to become a STEM kid like most in my circle, versus joining a less conventional field in the arts. While my parents supported my choices, many people’s underlying judgments made me second-guess my aspirations.

Eventually, I squared up to the question, and that became the most memorable learning curve in my personal growth. I made it a motto, one that guided all my future decisions: Be true to yourself. I had already been practicing it in small ways – instead of the piano and guitar popular with young girls, I opted for drums as a hobby. While my secondary school IGCSE curriculum emphasized scholastic achievement, I pursued several interests outside of academics such as dancing, skating and gymnastics.

This motto also enabled me to develop my own artistic voice, with diverse creativity and innovation. For my Visual Arts portfolio, I was suggested to focus on a cheerful theme for wider appeal. But, I made a decision to work on a theme that needed to be discussed more: mental health and the suppression of feelings. As I stepped into college, I realised the importance of finding my own voice in order to be heard and stand out. From taking part in industry relevant projects, to being an User Experience ambassador, to working on campus. I have forced myself to push beyond my boundary to unleash my full potential.

My journey as a whole is a reflection of this personal growth. I realize that following the motto: Be true to yourself, relies on breaking free of both, stereotypes and comfort zones. That is the spirit I will bring to my career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey to becoming a User Experience designer was anything but conventional. I was raised with the freedom to explore, to experiment, and to embrace the unknown. From being a state-level gymnast in India to mastering rollerblading, from training in professional dance since the age of four (across both Indian classical and urban styles), to passionately pursuing drumming, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of a multifaceted creative life.

Having lived in India, Singapore, and the United States, I’ve been exposed to diverse cultures and ways of thinking that have shaped my artistic identity. These varied experiences have taught me one thing above all: to think in non-linear ways. Bringing this mindset into my design process is what sets me apart. I approach problems by examining them from multiple angles, drawing on knowledge from the different disciplines I’ve immersed myself in, and the cultural contexts I’ve lived through.

Through it all, I keep coming back to something I learned in middle school, something that has stayed with me ever since. Aristotle believed the ultimate goal of life is to strive for eudaimonia, “an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue”. Aristotle’s 3 C’s of Eudaimonia: Creativity, Confidence, and Community, is the north star to my art journey.

CONFIDENCE. As an artist, I believe Confidence lies within developing ‘my own voice’, one that embodies freedom of expression, an evolved pattern of thinking, and optimized artistic ability.

COMMUNITY. I use my art not just to please but also to impact the community positively. At its core, User Experience is about observing the world around us and identifying pain points worth solving, whether through digital interfaces or tangible interactions. One project I’m particularly proud of is Loop, an affordable, hands-on learning tool designed to improve literacy rates in rural India. Loop gives children in underserved communities the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, because every child deserves the chance to succeed, no matter where they come from.

CREATIVITY. What sets me apart? The life I’ve lived. My creativity is shaped by every experience, and I treat it as a tool of expression, one that reflects my dedication, curiosity, and hard work. That’s the essence I want people to see, and it’s what creates a lasting impression. This is truly reflected in my early visual arts, which centered around themes of self-expression and the freedom to express without boundaries.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta was the first place I touched down in the United States, and over time, it’s become my home away from home. It’s where I’ve grown, explored, learned, and found a rhythm to life as a student. If a friend were visiting, I wouldn’t just show them the tourist spots, I’d show them my Atlanta, the version I’ve fallen in love with. I would take them to my favorite dining spots, my ‘calm down’ spots, my ‘I need a sweet treat’ spots.

We’d kick things off with food, because that’s where the soul of the city truly lives. I’d take them to some of my favorite spots like Wagaya for cozy ramen nights, Delbar for rich mediterranean food, ShriThai for that perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and PokeBowl when we’re craving something fresh and fast. These spots have become my staples, and honestly, they’ve emptied my pockets more times than I’d like to admit thanks to my tendency to over-order.

Of course, no experience would be complete without desserts. For late-night cravings, Insomnia Cookies is my go-to, warm cookies that taste like comfort. If I’m in the mood for something a bit different, Sweet Hut is where I go to indulge in Japanese treats and bubble tea.

And when it’s time to just breathe, I’d take them to my favorite chill spots: Colony Square, where you can sit back and people-watch; Ponce City Market, with its rooftop views and Lenox, where I go when I need a dose of city life and window shopping therapy.

Atlanta isn’t just where I live, it’s where I’ve built memories. And sharing that version of the city with someone I care about would be the best way to say: Welcome to my world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My journey so far is only possible because of all the people who have continuously supported my dreams and pushed me to achieve them.

My biggest shout out goes to my parents. They’ve been my constant pillars, always believing in my potential, even during the moments when I couldn’t see it myself. They encouraged me to explore beyond boundaries, to travel, to experience, to fail, and to try again, all in the hope that I would find the one thing that truly resonated with me. That one thing turned out to be design. And now, as I carve out a path in this field, I carry their belief with me in everything I do.

A huge shout also goes to my professors who forced me to think outside the box and push my creativity in ways beyond imaginable. They never let me settle for the obvious, pushing me to question assumptions and dig deeper into my ideas. Their critiques, guidance, and mentorship have been instrumental in helping me grow, not just as a designer, but as a thinker, a problem solver, and a creator.

To my friends, thank you. For the late-night brainstorming sessions, the pep talks, the honest feedback, and the endless emotional support. Whether it was a small word of encouragement or a simple presence during tough times, you’ve made this journey lighter and infinitely more joyful.

Website: https://siyavjain.wixstudio.com/portfolio/blank

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sisi_jain/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siya-jain/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siyajain9636