SELECTED WORK

Some projects that I
have helped shape

A short selection of projects that demonstrate my approach to design problems and the impact of my work. The ‘work’ section includes professional Product Design and UX/UI projects, and the ‘explore’ section includes my personal passion projects in design and visual storytelling covering topics close to my heart - sustainability and women empowerment.

My thoughts about UX and Product Design

Articles based on the my insights, experiences and reflections on design, UX processes and Design decisions based on both, user needs as well as business goals. These have been published on UX Collective, and have recieved mentions on platforms like General Assembly, Google Analytics, etc.

10+ years as Product Designer

creating digital experiences with a ‘user needs meets
business goals’ mindset and a high bias for action.
I’ve worked on UX and UI projects with
organizations across industries.

My curiosity and hunger to explore an
international market and emerging technologies like
AI led me back to Uni again for my Master’s.

Key interest areas:

0-1 Product design
Design strategy
Conversion-centric design
Storytelling
Sustainability
Agile framework
SEO focused UX

I Design

SEMLY PRO (2016 - 2024)

Co-founded and headed Design
here. I like to call it 'a crash
course in growth and learning' -
making mistakes, failing, getting
back up and showing up
everyday. This experience
essentially 'shaped' me as a
designer and leader.
CARWALE.COM (2014 - 2016)

Worked as a UX Designer at the
auto e-commerce giant in India.
HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED
(2014)

Started my UX career in UX
Design and Research.

I talk about Design

I write about my UX insights and
reflections on UX Collective,
featured by General Assembly and
Google Analytics..

I also mentor fellow designers
through ADPList and Ladies that UX,
Amsterdam and design workshops.

BDes Communication Design

National Institute of Fashion
Technology, Mumbai (2010-2014)

MSc Digital Design

Amsterdam University of Applied
Sciences (2024-2025)

Key achievements and mentions

Best Debutante Award at Carwale.com
Incubatee at Centre for Incubation and Business
Acceleration, Startup India for Semly Pro
Featured in The Economic Times, India
Featured in Outlook Business Magazine
STEM Role Model at Million STEM

UX Articles featured by Google Analytics
Selected as part of the Dutch Design Week’25 for my
Digital Sustainability project CRUX.

Volunteering/Giving back

Design Mentor at Ladies that UX, Amsterdam
Panel, MDes Dissertation at NIFT Mumbai
Contributing author at UX Collective (UXDesign.cc)
UX Workshop for Product Owners at CIBA
Founded college magazine 'Seamless' at NIFT

Know my journey in detail Download my cv

TESTIMONIALS

Some encouraging voices from my journey so far

Ashwin Krishna KP

Founder, Head-Energy Efficiency at Promethean Energy Pvt. Ltd.

Worked on end-to-end UX projects with him, through Semly Pro.

We have worked with Surya for multiple projects, and have been extremely satisfied with the professionalism and quality of output delivered.

Her design skills are very sharp and combined with her ability to understand business challenges, she comes up as an excellent corporate designer. I would recommend working with Surya.

Banwari Lal Sharma

CEO, Carwale and Bikewale

Made me a part of the 'Carwale Experience' product innovation team.

Surya is a passionate and talented design professional.

She joined CarWale straight from her graduation and within a couple of years, she demonstrated success through her hard work and ownership.

Stay a rockstar always, Surya! My best wishes."

Sunit Kumar Sharma

Sr. Design Director (Conde Naste)

Hired me right out of uni. Mentor and direct manager at Carwale.

I have worked with Surya for more than 2 years. She is one of the most motivated individuals, I have worked with. She is truly very passionate about UX and UI design.

I have appreciated the way Surya has challenged the convention design and has always tried to think outside the box. I would strongly recommend Surya as a user experience and interface specialist.

Sharmeena Lobo

Product Designer at Tech Fleet, Toronto

A budding designer that I mentored through ADPList

The session I've had with Surya has been incredibly valuable. She provided clear and direct, feedback on my portfolio, identifying areas for improvement. Her approach helped me understand how recruiters and companies might view my website, offering guidance on how to restructure and position it more effectively from that perspective. She was also very encouraging and easy to talk to, and gave me some great tips on networking!

Let's talk!

If you're looking for someone who bridges business goals and user needs through impactful, strategic design — I'm ready to jump in.

Get in touch with me

Surya Pillai

I create impactful thumbprints
through Product Design.

Some projects that I
have helped shape

My thoughts about UX and Product Design

A journey shaped by creativity and
conversion-driven thinking, solving
problems through impactful design.