I'm Mahanetran Murali, a Product Designer based in Savannah, USA and originally from Bangalore, India. I specialize in incorporating strategic thinking into tasteful design that empowers, connects, and feels human.
With a Master's degree in Business Innovation from SCAD majoring in Design Management, my learnings enrich my creative process to align strongly with the quadruple bottom line i.e. people, planet, profit, and purpose.
I've designed for in large organizations, startups, and consultancies; I owned and contributed to B2C and B2B product experiences across SaaS, omnichannel marketing, fintech, insurtech, government, healthcare, and FMCG.
Manifesto
To design is to have lived. And what is life without creation? Without experimentation? Without fascination? Without reason? I hold 6 core beliefs brought to life by these notions.
1. A good leader is always curious. It is alright to start with innocence but it is crucial to be informed. It is human nature to explore and question. To imagine for more with less or less with more. It takes one good “why?” before the “what?” and “how?”
2. I see design as an amalgam. The embodiment of functionality and innovation. It bridges passion with resonance. The way we experience things and moments for what they are. Good designers see this looking past the aperture to unveil connections on the thinnest tethers, without fear of tugging the string.
3. The devil truly lies in the details. Every pixel, word, element, and interaction has its script and value, reinforced by simplicity (symptom of greatness uncovered through precision, intentionality, and plainness). Granularity shines a light on an unaddressed and underserved path toward the bigger picture.
4. There’s a reason we have structure. Channeled creativity is change. It takes a head in the clouds and feet in the ground both. Knowing when to soar and when to land informs great ideas. Dreams inspire action where pragmatism provides direction.
5. Adapt. Adapt. Adapt. No process or result is the same. Neither are titles, stories, challenges, and needs. Flexibility is a north star. Pivots are welcome surprises. Each project holds a connection that can forge meaning between people; be it within teams or systems.
6. Involve people, evolve outputs. Shared values enrich the journey. Differing opinions can always be addressed through systems, sidebars, and established rules. Cross-vertical and cross-horizontal functions can be brought together under the umbrella of a great vision if it is large and respectful to all. There is no work of art without consensus of what work or art means. Thus, placing an emphasis on connection, networking, and collaboration.
A future where skills are interchangeable and mastery is within anyone’s grasp is coming. The true weight of success eventually comes down to ideals and principles. I look forward to facing this juncture as a leader with a toolkit enriched by practice and weathered by experience, empathy, and foresight over ego. Since these tools are only as good as the hand that holds it, they can either make or break society, culture, and economy - or make waves and paint blue skies and chart blue oceans.
📚 What's on my bookshelf?
Shuffling between non-fiction & mythology.
