I'm Pratik Kathe, a senior product designer in Mumbai. I find the bumps that stop people using a product, including the ones only some people hit, and pave them over. 4.5+ years in SaaS, Design Systems and WCAG 2.2 AA/AAA accessibility.
I studied mechanical engineering first, then information technology. Somewhere between engines and code I got more curious about the people using the machine than the machine itself. Why do some controls feel obvious while others shut people out? A design bootcamp in 2021 turned that question into my job.
Every good idea deserves a chai break. Pour one before the next exit.
My route from a fuzzy idea to something people use every day. The directions light up as you drive past.
Every project has blockers. Drag the three cones onto the grass so traffic can pass. CONES CLEARED 0/3
Four accessibility engagements: a platform rebuilt out of spreadsheets, a browser extension that reaches the pages a crawler can’t, a Figma plugin that catches issues before design sign-off, and the Design System that makes all three accessible by default. Plus two motion studies, a studio website cut like a film and an astrology app, where the Figma prototypes play live right in the case study. Each opens into the full story.
The case studies are open to everyone. The barrier is just for fun.
The tools I reach for, hung where I can grab them. Hover or tap a tag to give it a nudge.
A few readings from the road so far.
Press and hold the nozzle until the tank is full.
Off the clock, I'm usually behind a wheel or sketching one.
I spend my downtime around cars: reading up on builds, tracking new releases, and noticing how much good automotive design is the same discipline as good product design. Every dial, curve and control has to earn its place.
Cars taught me what great design feels like. You stop thinking about the machine, and you just drive.
Objects in mirror are closer than they appearEvery Indian road trip has one. She has been resting here all day. Say hello.
I'm open to Senior Product Designer and UI/UX roles, globally. Questions about a decision in my work? Email is the fastest way to reach me, and I'm happy to talk through the reasoning.
9 surprises are hidden on this drive.