# Chandrika (Shani) Jayant > Head of Design @ Be My Eyes Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/chandrikashanijayant Design Leader driving inclusive, ethical innovation through research, design, and systems thinking. With a PhD in HCI and over a decade of industry experience, I've pioneered human–AI teaming (VizWiz) and shaped accessible systems across software, mobile, spatial computing, automotive, and policy. I bridge the research-to-design handoff by moving seamlessly from user insights to prototypes, design strategy, and business outcomes. I've built and led high-performing design and research teams that partner with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver breakthrough innovations—from foundational design systems to AI-human collaboration—always with accessibility and user-centered principles at the core. Key career highlights: - Shaped inclusive transportation strategy and accessibility standards for electric, autonomous vehicles through U.S. policy engagement, global auto partnerships, and research with national disability organizations - Drove UX architecture, design, and integration of screen reader and voice control features into Audi and Porsche EV platforms - Pioneered accessibility features for blind photographers—applying computer vision and establishing early human–AI teaming models—now reflected in Apple and Google products - Presented at national accessibility forums; featured in The Verge, Handelsblatt, and industry panels on inclusive innovation If you’re building something that requires care, creativity, and strategic clarity—let’s connect. Outside of work, I'm a certified eco-chaplain and Climatebase Fellow with a long-standing meditation practice. I find joy in photography, travel, and DJing, having hosted radio shows for over 15 years at WNYU, KEXP, and KALX. ## Work Experience ### Head of Design @ Be My Eyes Jan 2025 – Present ### Senior Manager, Product Design @ CARIAD, Inc. Jan 2022 – Jan 2024 | Santa Clara, California, United States Built and scaled a cross-functional design, research, and safety team during CARIAD’s U.S. market expansion—driving product strategy across Audi, Porsche, and VW with a focus on accessibility, safety, and user-centered innovation. • Built and led a cross-functional team of 6 (design, research, and safety) to support VW Group’s North American market expansion and address strategic customer priorities across Audi, Porsche, and VW. • Co-led cross-brand alignment on accessibility and safety standards for CARIAD’s unified software platform, contributing to systems used across Audi, Porsche, and VW and impacting 10M+ vehicles annually. • Championed the accessibility vision and UX architecture for an in-car screen reader; partnered with engineering, brand teams, legal, and safety to align on implementation. • Improved team engagement and performance during startup phase through design review cycles, career development initiatives, and visibility of team contributions. ### Principal UX Designer and Researcher @ Volkswagen Group of America Innovation and Engineering Center California (IECC) Jan 2019 – Jan 2022 | Belmont, California, United States Accessibility advocate and industry leader guiding inclusive design and research strategy within VW Group’s innovation lab—shaping future vehicle platforms through user research, standards development, and cross-sector collaboration. • Led and expanded VW Group’s Inclusive Mobility Initiative, partnering with 6 disability organizations to advance accessibility in future mobility platforms and broaden VW Group’s customer reach • Led initiative to define wheelchair accessibility in next-generation EVs; collaborated with brand teams, industry partners, and U.S. government agencies. Organized two national roundtables, convening 60+ stakeholders to develop standards strategies • Contributed to defining VW Group’s accessibility vision for future vehicle platforms through user research and collaboration with pre-development engineering teams in Germany ### Senior UX Designer and Researcher @ Volkswagen Group of America Innovation and Engineering Center California (IECC) Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | Belmont, California, United States Established and led VW Group’s Inclusive Mobility Initiative—partnering with 6 disability organizations to expand accessibility and broaden the customer base to include disabled users. ### Senior UX Designer @ Intel Corporation Jan 2012 – Jan 2017 | Santa Clara, CA Led UX design and research for Intel’s spatial computing and 3D sensing initiatives, collaborating across business, design, and engineering teams to deliver novel user experiences and developer tools. • Led interaction design and UX research for launch of RealSense 3D camera, collaborating with LEGO to release 3 augmented reality games • Worked cross-functionally with executive stakeholders across marketing, middleware, software, and design • Authored UX design guidelines for RealSense cameras to support 3rd-party developer adoption and consistent interaction standards • Designed open-source wearable navigation aid for blind users—featured at CES keynote and tested with both disabled Intel employees and external users ### DJ @ KALX 90.7FM Jan 2012 – Jan 2014 | Berkeley, CA // Music Curation and Reviewing // DJ at University of California Berkeley radio station KALX Co-producer of Shortwave electronic show ### Senior Researcher @ Nokia Research Center Palo Alto Jan 2012 – Jan 2012 // Accessibility Research // Developed wireless cross-device content sharing interactions for tablets and phones Studied mobile device accessibility for blind and visually impaired people in Bangalore, India ### DJ @ KEXP 90.3 FM Jan 2006 – Jan 2012 | Seattle, Washington // Music Curation and Interviews // Deejayed weekly radio show on non-commercial radio station reaching > 200,000 listeners/week Conducted weekly interviews with bands, produced podcasts, and ran events ### Ph.D. @ University of Washington Jan 2008 – Jan 2011 | Seattle, Washington // Research and Teaching Assistant // TA for undergrad computer science classes while pursuing PhD in Computer Science Awards Given: NSF Graduate Fellowship 2004-2007 Department Fellowship 2004-2005 ARCS Fellowship 2004-2007 UIST 2010 Best Paper Award UIST 2023 Lasting Impact Award ### Editorial Producer @ Microsoft Zune Marketplace Jan 2008 – Jan 2008 | Redmond, Washington // Content Production // Coordinated trafficking the flow of editorial/merchandising promos and contracts Curated music content by creating collaborative playlists and writing music articles ### User Interface Designer @ IBM Tokyo Research Lab Jan 2007 – Jan 2007 // Accessibility Research // Improved desktop product’s accessibility by following web accessibility standards ### DJ, General Manager @ WNYU Radio Jan 2001 – Jan 2004 | New York City, New York // Music Curation, Interviews, and Station Management // Deejayed weekly New Afternoon Show on 89.1FM Worked as Promotions Director, Business Director, and General Manager Managed over 100 people overseeing programming and budgeting Oversaw large station move and new transmitter acquisition ## Education ### M.S. in Ph.D., Computer Science and Engineering University of Washington ### B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science New York University ### Chattahoochee High School ### Watchung Hills Regional High School ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/shanijayant --- Source: https://flows.cv/chandrikashanijayant JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/chandrikashanijayant/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13