A designer and radical thinker passionate about problem solving creating new fabric of experiences by knitting diverse domain learnings. Intelligent mechanisms, efficient interactions, evolving technologies, digital/print graphics, typography, ethnographic research, design thinking, systems thinking, usability studies, human behaviour analysis and design strategy keeps me excited in any design process. Initially worked in the domain of home security, later forayed into designing strategy/product innovations in the area of home spaces for a brighter living and presently in the aviation domain.
“Design is a versatile tool, the way we apply it is the skill.”
Jasinth Manayath Vadakkayil
13+ years of professional design expedition
Experience
I have had the privilege of working across diverse industries, including Defence R&D, Home Security & Hardware, Kitchen Productivity Tools, Furniture and Homewares, and Aviation Big Data. This experience has provided me with unparalleled exposure and a wealth of process insights.
Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in aligning design processes with the specific needs of businesses, ensuring solutions are both effective and cost-efficient. I believe that overcomplicating a design can be as detrimental as underdesigning it.
Over the past 50 years, companies have significantly enhanced their manufacturing knowledge, offering users more choices and making it challenging for companies to determine what to produce. During this time, I have been exposed to a Structured Innovation Process, which has helped me understand how to generate potential ideas that assist businesses in deciding not just how to make products, but what products to make.
I have had the privilege of working across diverse industries, including Defence R&D, Home Security & Hardware, Kitchen Productivity Tools, Furniture and Homewares, and Aviation Big Data. This experience has provided me with unparalleled exposure and a wealth of process insights.
Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in aligning design processes with the specific needs of businesses, ensuring solutions are both effective and cost-efficient. I believe that overcomplicating a design can be as detrimental as underdesigning it.
Over the past 50 years, companies have significantly enhanced their manufacturing knowledge, offering users more choices and making it challenging for companies to determine what to produce. During this time, I have been exposed to a Structured Innovation Process, which has helped me understand how to generate potential ideas that assist businesses in deciding not just how to make products, but what products to make.
Strategic Design Lead – Aircraft Material & Maintenance (Jan 2025 – Present)
Strategic Designer – Aircraft Asset Management/Leasing (Jan 2022 – Dec 2024)
Airbus, Bangalore, India
Exploring new breakthrough ideas in the domain of aviation through innovations and partnerships for Digital Alliance initiatives of Airbus. Driving design thinking, research, UX strategy in a collaborative multi-disciplinary team environment, addressing end users needs aligning with the business goals, market viability and technical feasibility. In a nutshell, studying the world of big data in aviation to come up with digital solutions to our global customers’ problems/needs by applying design/systems thinking process and methodologies.
Deputy General Manager – Design Strategy, CX, UX (Aug 2021 – Dec 2021)
Assistant General Manager – Industrial Design, Design Strategy, CX, UX (Feb 2017 – July 2021)
Sobha Limited, Bangalore, India
Industrial design lead, prototyping, project management, defining design process and review mechanisms, design strategy, team building, process development across support domains, branding/graphics-digital & print, established/managed in-house photography studio, designing workspace tools, setting guidelines for e-commerce/imagery, web UX/UI development for Metercube, Furniture & Homeware venture of Sobha Limited.
Senior Manager – Design Research & Business Innovation (Nov 2015 – Jan 2017)
Innovation & Design Center (IDC), Godrej & Boyce, Mumbai, India
Research, conceptualise, prototype and propose innovative ideas as a business case, in the domain of future productivity tools for kitchen/home environment. Collaborated with faculties of Institute of Design, IIT Chicago, to practice/drive a culture of design thinking within the organisation by following a structured human centered design process.
Senior Manager – Industrial Design (Sept – Oct 2015)
Manager – Industrial Design (May 2012 – Aug 2015)
Godrej Locking Solutions & Systems, Godrej & Boyce, Mumbai, India
Godrej Cartini, Knifes & Scissors Division, Godrej, Mumbai, India
Product development and project management of premium rimlocks, mortise locks, padlocks contemporary handles & hardwares as per new product development cycle and market demand. Design & develop products for Godrej Cartini under the same business vertical.
Associate Designer – Intern (Sept 2011 – Mar 2012)
Integrated Design Services (IDS), NID, Ahmedabad, India
Research and design development of SONAR echo sounder for Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory(NPOL),
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India.
Education
My journey began with a foundation in logical thinking through computer science engineering, which then evolved into a passion-turned-career in design. This unique combination of interests has allowed me to experiment and innovate across multiple disciplines. I developed a genuine interest in understanding code and its behavior, especially when it was necessary to bring designs to life. Relating to the logic of the back-end has proven essential in my work.
With technology now at the forefront of design solutions, I continually seek to explore and embrace new challenges in learning both physical and digital platforms. I believe that a successful design cannot exist independently of technological advancements.
My journey began with a foundation in logical thinking through computer science engineering, which then evolved into a passion-turned-career in design. This unique combination of interests has allowed me to experiment and innovate across multiple disciplines. I developed a genuine interest in understanding code and its behavior, especially when it was necessary to bring designs to life. Relating to the logic of the back-end has proven essential in my work.
With technology now at the forefront of design solutions, I continually seek to explore and embrace new challenges in learning both physical and digital platforms. I believe that a successful design cannot exist independently of technological advancements.
Post Graduation
Master of Design (M Des)
Industrial Design (Product Design), National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, India (2009-12)
(Worked with NPOL, DRDO, Govt. of India)
Exchange Programme
Industrial Design
Hochschule Hannover (HsH), University of Applied Sciences & Arts, Germany (2010-11)
(Worked with Kaba GmbH & Wertheim GmbH)
Graduation
Bachelor of Technology (B Tech)
Computer Science & Engineering, VJEC, Kannur University, India (2004-08)
(Worked with Rhydo Technologies, Cochin in Embedded Systems and .NET programming)
Certification
Horizon Program on Design Strategy (6 months, 2015-16)
Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago
Enterprise planning, strategic leadership, disruptive innovation, international/industry best practices, balanced portfolio
Skills & Interests
From an early age, working with hand and power tools and experimenting with materials to bring my imagination to life brought me true happiness.
As times changed, I embraced learning new skills, exploring new gadgets, and adapting to digital technologies, which significantly transformed me. My strength lies in my openness to diverse interests and skillsets, a quality I intend to maintain throughout my career.
From an early age, working with hand and power tools and experimenting with materials to bring my imagination to life brought me true happiness.
As times changed, I embraced learning new skills, exploring new gadgets, and adapting to digital technologies, which significantly transformed me. My strength lies in my openness to diverse interests and skillsets, a quality I intend to maintain throughout my career.
Materials & Manufacturing Processes
Hands-on with wood, metal, ceramic, plastics, paper, FRP etc. and using power tools. Know-how of common manufacturing processes, mechanisms in locks/hardware/other industries. Know-how of common manufacturing processes involving wood, metal, joineries, upholstery, hardware/fixtures in furniture industry.
Softwares & Tools
Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, WordPress/Elementor, Rhino, Alias, Keyshot, Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, Premier, iMovie, Dreamveawer, Lightroom, Microsoft Office Suite, Basic: PHP, HTML, C/C++, VB.NET, MySQL, Access. Also a mindset to brush up knowledge when in need.
Design Methods
Sketching, Design Sprint, Design Thinking, User journey maps, Ethnographic research, Design research, Wire framing, Structured Innovation Process etc.
Languages
English, Hindi, Malayalam, German-A1
Interests
UX/UI, Products/Interactions, Technology & Gadgets, Graphics and Print, Typography, Videography, Portrait/Product/Food Photography, Customised Gifting, Packaging Design, 3D printing, Web design.
Patents
A receptacle being fixed in a door frame for door locks (Filed 19 Aug 2015 in 3142/MUM/2015A)
A covering assembly for key way slot in a padlock to prevent entry of any foreign material inside the key way slot (Filed 6 May 2015 in 1798/MUM/2015)
“Lives on the edge, Loves through the lens, Laughs when in doubt”
Contact me at hello@jasinth.com
