About Me

Surmeet Gill

UX Researcher & Designer · Graduate Student

Portrait of Surmeet Gill

Designing with empathy,
researching with purpose.

I'm a graduate student in UX Research & Design, passionate about uncovering the human stories behind every interaction. My work sits at the intersection of qualitative research and thoughtful design — I believe the best products come from deeply understanding the people who use them.

My approach is rooted in empathy and rigor: I start every project by listening, observing, and questioning assumptions before ever opening a design tool. Whether I'm conducting contextual inquiries in a dining hall or co-designing with accessibility advocates, I'm driven by the belief that great research leads to great design.

I came to UX through a winding path — starting in psychology, moving through information science, and finding my home at the intersection of human behavior and digital product design. Graduate school gave me the framework to combine my natural curiosity about people with a rigorous, methodical approach to design.

Throughout my coursework, I've had the opportunity to work on projects that matter: making campus dining less stressful, creating accessible transit tools, designing compassionate mental health experiences, and rethinking how students find information. Each project has deepened my conviction that research isn't just a phase — it's the foundation everything else is built on.

When I'm not synthesizing research findings or iterating on prototypes, you'll find me exploring local coffee shops, journaling, or getting lost in a good podcast about design ethics.

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UX Research

I plan and conduct qualitative and quantitative research — user interviews, diary studies, contextual inquiries, card sorting, surveys, and usability testing — to uncover the insights that drive meaningful design decisions.

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Interaction Design

From wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes, I translate research into intuitive, accessible interfaces. I believe in designing for real contexts, real constraints, and real humans.

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Strategy & Synthesis

I connect the dots between data points — affinity mapping, journey mapping, persona development, and competitive analysis — to frame problems clearly and build consensus around solutions.

Research Methods

User Interviews Surveys & Questionnaires Diary Studies Contextual Inquiry Usability Testing Card Sorting A/B Testing Heuristic Evaluation

Design & Prototyping

Figma Adobe Creative Suite Miro Principle Wireframing Hi-Fi Prototyping Design Systems

Analysis & Strategy

Affinity Mapping Journey Mapping Persona Development Competitive Analysis Optimal Workshop Maze Dovetail

Master's in UX Research & Design

Arizona State University · Expected 2027

Coursework in interaction design, user research methods, information architecture, accessible design, and design thinking.

Bachelor's Degree

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor · 2018

Relevant foundation studies and undergraduate research experience.

Summer 2026 Internship & Full-Time Opportunities

I'm looking for roles in UX Research and Design where I can bring my mixed-methods research skills and human-centered design approach to a team that values empathy and rigor.