Hi friend, I am Ruchita. A designer, tinkerer, a budding artist, and an explorer at heart.

I was born in a small town in India, in the age of dial-up modems and landline phones, the simpler times. I spent most of my childhood outdoors, playing a bazillion sports and coming home with a fresh injury almost every day. I might have injured all my bones before I turned ten. Indoors, my time was spent drawing pictures on the walls, much to my parents’ dismay. When I was five, we got our first computer, and my older brother introduced me to video games. I was hooked. It was like escaping reality and bringing my imagination to life. I could do anything in this world.

I had never met a designer growing up, it wasn’t a visible career path where I came from. My curiosity about computers led me to engineering, where I developed a deep love for technology. But creativity was always calling. In college, I carved my own creative path, designing websites and marketing campaigns for student clubs, blending my technical skills with my passion for storytelling.

The next phases of my life were a series of experiments to help me find the perfect intersection of design, technology, and human behavior. I started as a backend engineer, worked at startups, and learned the inner workings of digital products. While working as an applications engineer, I saw the impact a small button change had on a small business owner's sales, it was like magic. I was hooked yet again.

Over the past nine years, I’ve worn multiple hats as an engineer, designer, and product thinker, giving me a unique perspective on how things are built and how they should feel. I thrive on storytelling, systems thinking, and crafting experiences that resonate. I've worked across industries from fintech to gaming and now at Pixar, where I continue to live at the intersection of art and technology, still striving for that same balance in my life.

Beyond work, I’m always learning something new. You might find me sculpting, climbing, playing a new instrument, or hiking up a volcano abroad. I love collecting experiences that challenge me.

If you ever want to talk about design, art, adventure, or where to find the best chai in the Bay Area, let’s connect!