Design Research + Product Strategy • Regulated, high-stakes domains

I lead human-centered discovery to find the next opportunity—then prove it fast with prototypes & experiments.

I’m strongest in ambiguous problem spaces where finance + technology + human behavior intersect. I design and run qualitative research, synthesize the “so what” into opportunity areas, and guide cross-functional teams through ideation → concept testing → iteration.

Qual research (interviews, diary, concept tests) Synthesis → insights → frameworks Opportunity framing + strategy Rapid prototyping + experiments Stakeholder + exec storytelling
Proof
Reduced escalation-driven friction in billing journeys and helped protect $4.5M in risk/bad debt by clarifying decision points, guardrails, and customer communications.
View research + strategy work Download resume
Hiring manager? See how I work (process, facilitation style, and how I align teams).
Manisha Varma Kamarushi
Portfolio preview
Hiring managers: this is what you’re actually getting

What I’m Hired to Solve

I lead human-centered discovery in ambiguous, high-risk journeys—then translate research into clear opportunity areas and run fast prototype experiments so teams stop debating and start learning.

YOU GET
Actionable insights (not just quotes)
Synthesis → “so what” → opportunity areas
YOU GET
Fast learning through experiments
Prototypes + tests → decision clarity
YOU GET
Alignment across disciplines
Facilitation + frameworks + crisp storytelling

High-risk customer journeys

Billing • Payments • Activation • Collections

I redesign journeys where confusion becomes waivers, escalations, churn, or revenue leakage. I map failure states, clarify rules, and validate improvements through research + prototype tests.

Failure states Edge cases Customer clarity
$4.5M
risk protected
↓
escalations

System failures disguised as “UX”

Rules • Policy gaps • Legacy constraints

Many “UX issues” aren’t UI problems—they’re inconsistent rules and cross-channel behavior. I translate research into guardrails, requirements, and testable concepts so the system behaves consistently.

Policy + UX Legacy systems Guardrails
1
source of truth
✓
consistent outcomes

Decision-heavy, ambiguous work

Tradeoffs • Prioritization • Strategy

I run workshops + research that turn messy inputs into decision frameworks and prototypes teams can test— so you ship with confidence instead of revisiting the same debate every week.

Decision frameworks Workshops Alignment
⚡
faster alignment
→
cleaner scope
Learn how I work
If you need someone who can bridge customers + systems + stakeholders (and still ship), start here.

Selected work

Research + Strategy Projects

These aren’t “pretty UI” projects. They’re ambiguous, high-stakes problems where I led discovery, synthesized the “so what,” and helped teams choose a direction with evidence—then validated it with prototypes and experiments.

Discovery Synthesis Opportunity Areas Experiments Regulated journeys
Activation fee waiver strategy thumbnail High-stakes decision

Activation Fee Waiver Strategy

Turned a revenue + CX conflict into a decision framework leadership could act on.

What I ledDiscovery → synthesis → exec narrative
MethodsJourney research, call drivers, heuristic audit
Outcome$4.5M monthly risk reduction
Opportunity map Decision framework Experiment plan
View case study
Autopay flexibility thumbnail Behavior + systems

Autopay Flexibility & Failure Recovery

Designed a safer way to let customers change autopay dates—without increasing support volume.

What I ledService blueprint + edge-case design
MethodsFailure-state analysis, prototype tests
Decision impactRules + guardrails aligned
Blueprint Guardrails Prototype tests
View case study
International roaming thresholds thumbnail Regulated, high risk

International Roaming Guardrails

Reduced bill-shock risk by redesigning thresholds, warnings, and payment guardrails.

What I ledOpportunity framing + validation
MethodsScenario research, concept tests
OutcomeFewer escalations (targeted)
Opportunity areas Concept tests Policy constraints
View case study
Digital containment dashboard thumbnail Insights → action

Digital Containment Dashboard

Reframed reporting into a decision tool: what changed, why, and what to do next.

What I ledSensemaking + narrative design
MethodsInterviews, task analysis, usability tests
OutcomeFaster exec read + actions
Insight framework Task flows Usability tests
View case study

My Projects

  • Secure Text: Messenger

    End To End Product Design

    Project Type: Full product design from concept to launch.

    Skills Demonstrated: Ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI/UX design, usability testing.

    View project

  • Red Apron: Safety App for Women

    Interaction & Visual Design

    Project Type: Redesign of an existing interface to improve usability and aesthetics.

    Skills Demonstrated: Interaction design, visual design, prototyping.

    View Project

  • Automating Complex Processes with Workflows

    Design Sprint

    Project Type: Automating Complex Workflows

    Skills Demonstrated: User & Competitive Research, Storyboarding, UI Design, Prototyping, User Testing, Planning and Launch

    view project
  • OneButton PIN

    OneButtonPIN

    OneButtonPIN: A Single Button Authentication Method for Blind or Low Vision Users to Improve Accessibility and Prevent Eavesdropping

    Project Type: UX Research, Dairy Studies, Accessibility

    View Project
  • International Roaming

    International Roaming Experience

    End To End Product Design

    Designing a International Roaming Experience for Spectrum Customers.

    Project Type: Complete Design Experience from Communications to self-service portals

    Skills Demonstrated: Journey Mapping, Communication Design, Wireframing, Storytelling

    View Project

Publications & Research

Peer-reviewed work focused on accessibility, secure interaction, and inclusive design for real-world systems.

OneButtonPIN: A Single-Button Authentication Method for Blind or Low-Vision Users

Proceedings of the ACM on Human–Computer Interaction

VibroAuth: Authentication with Haptics-Based Non-Visual, Rearranged Keypads

HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy & Trust · Springer / ACM

Available for Senior Product / UX / Research roles

Want a designer who can untangle complexity and ship clarity?

If your product has messy workflows, high-stakes customer moments, or accessibility gaps, I’ll bring research-led decisions, crisp storytelling, and systems thinking to move your team faster.

Reply within 24 hours EST (US) • Remote-friendly Research • Design systems • Workshops
Schedule a chat Email me

Prefer async? Send the role link + what you’re hiring for — I’ll reply with relevant projects.