Non Zero Design
Non Zero Design
My Experience and Learnings @ the Design Agency
My Experience and Learnings @ the Design Agency
Summary
Summary
From Apprentice to Designer: Scaling IoT & MedTech Ventures. Helping build a new business vertical and delivering 0-to-1 products for hardware startups.
From Apprentice to Designer: Scaling IoT & MedTech Ventures. Helping build a new business vertical and delivering 0-to-1 products for hardware startups.
Role
Role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Timeline
Timeline
Nov 24 - Present
Nov 24 - Present
A Note on Confidentiality:
A Note on Confidentiality:
Due to strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), the work showcased here is presented as "project archetypes." Client names, specific branding, and sensitive data have been obfuscated to focus on the design challenges, processes, and outcomes. Contact me to know more.
Due to strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), the work showcased here is presented as "project archetypes." Client names, specific branding, and sensitive data have been obfuscated to focus on the design challenges, processes, and outcomes. Contact me to know more.
Due to strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), the work showcased here is presented as "project archetypes." Client names, specific branding, and sensitive data have been obfuscated to focus on the design challenges, processes, and outcomes. Contact me to know more.
The Spark
It started with a simple cold message on LinkedIn. I reached out to the founder for a chat, expecting 15 minutes of advice. Instead, I left the call with an apprenticeship offer. I joined the team in November 2024, eager to prove myself but grateful for a culture that prioritized mentorship over immediate output.
It started with a simple cold message on LinkedIn. I reached out to the founder for a chat, expecting 15 minutes of advice. Instead, I left the call with an apprenticeship offer. I joined the team in November 2024, eager to prove myself but grateful for a culture that prioritized mentorship over immediate output.
The Scope
Over the last few months, I’ve transitioned from learning the ropes of agency life to leading 0-to-1 design concepts. My time has been split between crafting pixel-perfect HMI (Human-Machine Interface) experiences and strategically building out the agency’s new MedTech vertical.
Over the last few months, I’ve transitioned from learning the ropes of agency life to leading 0-to-1 design concepts. My time has been split between crafting pixel-perfect HMI (Human-Machine Interface) experiences and strategically building out the agency’s new MedTech vertical.
Project Archetypes
Project Archetypes
Archetype 01: Consumer Electronics & IoT
Archetype 01: Consumer Electronics & IoT
Refining the bridge between hardware and software.
Refining the bridge between hardware and software.
The Projects I contributed to three distinct hardware-connected experiences: a Washing Machine Interface, a Smart Door Security System, and an Air Purifier Controller.
The Projects I contributed to three distinct hardware-connected experiences: a Washing Machine Interface, a Smart Door Security System, and an Air Purifier Controller.
The Contribution
Documentation & Handoff: My first task was "buddying up" with a senior designer to prepare a washing machine HMI for developers. I learned that a clean Figma file is just as important as a beautiful UI.
Exploration: For the Smart Door North Star project, I didn't just stop at the first good idea. I produced 8+ distinct design directions, learning that quantity often unearths quality.
Refinement: For the Air Purifier, I owned the concept phase, iterating strictly based on client feedback to align the vision with technical constraints.
The Contribution
Documentation & Handoff: My first task was "buddying up" with a senior designer to prepare a washing machine HMI for developers. I learned that a clean Figma file is just as important as a beautiful UI.
Exploration: For the Smart Door North Star project, I didn't just stop at the first good idea. I produced 8+ distinct design directions, learning that quantity often unearths quality.
Refinement: For the Air Purifier, I owned the concept phase, iterating strictly based on client feedback to align the vision with technical constraints.
Archetype 02: The MedTech Vertical
Archetype 02: The MedTech Vertical
Building a practice area from the ground up.
Building a practice area from the ground up.
The agency wanted to expand into the MedTech space. Along with a 5-person team, I helped build this vertical from scratch. We weren't just designing screens; we were proving capability.
The agency wanted to expand into the MedTech space. Along with a 5-person team, I helped build this vertical from scratch. We weren't just designing screens; we were proving capability.
The Contribution
Thought Leadership: I researched the landscape and wrote articles to demonstrate our expertise to potential clients.
0-to-1 Product Design: We initiated an in-house Medical Health Record App. I worked across the double diamond—from UX research to high-fidelity UI.
High-Fidelity Prototyping: I realized static screens couldn't capture the complexity of health data. I learned ProtoPie on the job, creating a hyper-realistic prototype that made the engineering handoff seamless.
The Contribution
Thought Leadership: I researched the landscape and wrote articles to demonstrate our expertise to potential clients.
0-to-1 Product Design: We initiated an in-house Medical Health Record App. I worked across the double diamond—from UX research to high-fidelity UI.
High-Fidelity Prototyping: I realized static screens couldn't capture the complexity of health data. I learned ProtoPie on the job, creating a hyper-realistic prototype that made the engineering handoff seamless.
The "Agency" Education
The "Agency" Education
01. Design is Documentation
01. Design is Documentation
My work on the Washing Machine HMI taught me that design doesn't end at the pixel. Organizing files, documenting logic, and ensuring a smooth developer handoff is what actually gets a product built.
My work on the Washing Machine HMI taught me that design doesn't end at the pixel. Organizing files, documenting logic, and ensuring a smooth developer handoff is what actually gets a product built.
02. The "Options" Mindset
02. The "Options" Mindset
Working on the Smart Door project taught me a vital lesson: It is easier to find the best solution when you have options. I no longer fear scrapping a design; I embrace the exploration phase, knowing that my 8th iteration will likely be stronger than my 1st.
Working on the Smart Door project taught me a vital lesson: It is easier to find the best solution when you have options. I no longer fear scrapping a design; I embrace the exploration phase, knowing that my 8th iteration will likely be stronger than my 1st.
03. Mentorship is a Two-Way Street
03. Mentorship is a Two-Way Street
I had daily sessions with a senior designer who broke down how agency projects truly run—from UX auditing to client communication. This wasn't just about "how to design," but "how to be a designer." In return, I aggressively upskilled in tools like ProtoPie to bring new capabilities to the team.
I had daily sessions with a senior designer who broke down how agency projects truly run—from UX auditing to client communication. This wasn't just about "how to design," but "how to be a designer." In return, I aggressively upskilled in tools like ProtoPie to bring new capabilities to the team.
View other projects
View other projects
Let’s Connect
To collaborate and solve bigger problems
Contact me
Let’s Connect
To collaborate and solve bigger problems
Contact me
Let’s Connect
To collaborate and solve bigger problems
Contact me