Exploring the Art and Science of UX Design: An Interview with Madan Thangavelu, a Senior Engineering Director @ Uber
03/17/2025
Can you tell us about your background? Where are you from, and how did you become interested in design?
I hail from southern India, though my childhood was a tapestry of experiences nationwide. My parents’ careers took us to every state, and I attended 11 different schools before completing high school. This nomadic upbringing immersed me in rich cultural diversity and instilled a deep sense of adaptability. I earned a degree in electronics engineering before pursuing graduate studies in computer science and artificial intelligence in the United States.
What inspired you to pursue a career in UX design specifically?
My early experiences in web development and digital design sparked my appreciation for intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interfaces. Over time, I realized that excellent engineering isn’t just about writing code—it’s about understanding users, anticipating their needs, and crafting seamless experiences.
How did your early experiences shape your approach to design today?
I’ve been dabbling in design and UX since 2000 as part of my freelance work. Early on, I absorbed skills from those who excelled in the field. At my first startup, without a dedicated designer, I took on the role myself, creating wireframes and designs for a million-dollar subscription product. My decade of freelance experience and familiarity with tools like Photoshop and Illustrator enabled me to step in when needed. Although my approach in 2010 might not align with today’s meticulous UX standards, it laid the groundwork for an empathetic understanding of the complex challenges designers face in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
What has been the most challenging product experience you’ve designed, and what made it particularly difficult?
At Lookout Inc., a mobile security company, we faced the unique challenge of transforming the inherently frightening concept of being hacked into an approachable, user-friendly experience. Our design team worked diligently to craft a welcoming interface while effectively guiding users through the intimidating realities of malware and cybersecurity threats.
Who do you look up to for inspiration in the design community, and why?
I’ve always been inspired by designers who effortlessly blend aesthetics with functionality, creating beautiful and intuitive products. Dieter Rams’s “ less, but better” philosophy has profoundly influenced my work. I deeply value his emphasis on simplicity and usability—not just in design but also in engineering, where simplicity and scalability are key to efficiently serving millions of users.
When creating great products, how do you balance gut intuition with data-driven design research?
I see intuition as the spark that ignites creativity and data as the guardrail that ensures we’re on the right track. Trusting your instincts is essential for pushing boundaries, but validating those instincts with data is equally important, especially when designing consumer apps for a diverse, global audience.
Where do you see the field of UX design heading in the next few years?
The design landscape has evolved significantly. The early 2000s embraced high-contrast designs and flashy gradients, but by 2010, minimalism, white space, and a focus on typography had taken center stage. Today, as we approach 2025, we see a design ethos centered on authenticity, interactivity, and holistic user experiences. AI integration is reshaping interfaces with voice-enabled interactions and advanced motion design. Emerging frameworks in mobile development are making motion design more accessible, and with large language models demonstrating a firm grasp of natural language, traditional button-based interfaces might soon give way to free-form text or voice interactions. Though this approach isn’t perfect yet, I believe it’s a glimpse into the exciting future of UX design.
Which companies in Silicon Valley are creating exceptional user experiences right now?
Cursor, an AI startup, has impressed me with its profound technical innovations to make user experiences exceptional—especially with features like ultra-responsive code completion. In more traditional terms, I’m also a fan of companies like Airbnb, Apple, Spotify, and Pinterest, which consistently push the boundaries of UX design.
What emerging trends in UX design are you most excited about?
AI-driven personalization is set to revolutionize UX design by tailoring interfaces to individual user preferences and behaviors. I also see a promising future for conversational interfaces. While we’re still in the early stages, I anticipate significant evolution where voice and text merge into a seamless, natural mode of interaction.
Can you share a project you’re particularly proud of and explain why it stands out?
I led the development and launch of the Smart App redesign at Uber—the most significant upgrade to the app in a decade. This project marked a fundamental shift in our approach, transforming a rides and mobility-focused app into a personalized platform integrating over 10 different Uber business verticals. By simplifying the home screen, we made it easier for users to book rides or order from Uber Eats with fewer taps. Distilling Uber’s complex business model into an intuitive, cohesive interface was a significant challenge, but it laid the foundation for a more tailored and user-friendly experience.
What essential qualities make a successful UX design leader?
The most accomplished UX leaders I’ve worked with exhibit deep empathy for users, strong collaboration and communication skills, and a relentless focus on achieving results. These qualities empower them to navigate the intricate balance between innovation and functionality.
How important is collaboration with other disciplines (like engineering and product management) in your design process?
Collaboration is vital. Design is inherently creative, and while it might seem like a solo endeavor at times, cross-functional teamwork is crucial for refining ideas and aligning them with business goals. Product managers clarify strategic objectives, and engineers offer insights into technical feasibility. This synergy not only spurs innovation but also minimizes iterations and streamlines the path from concept to launch, ultimately enhancing product quality.
What role does user feedback play in your design decisions?
User feedback is incredibly valuable, though it represents only one facet of the design process. I advocate for listening closely to users while also cautioning against taking their feedback as gospel. Henry Ford famously noted, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” It’s important to balance user insights with a broader vision for innovation, ensuring that we break free from local minima and continue pushing the design envelope.
Madan Thangavelu’s journey from his diverse beginnings in India to leading transformative projects at Uber illustrates the evolving intersection of art and science in UX design. His insights on leveraging instinct and data, embracing emerging technologies like AI, and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration highlight a forward-thinking approach that resonates across the design community. As the field continues to evolve, Madan’s experience is a powerful reminder that creating exceptional user experiences is not only about innovative technology but also about understanding and empathizing with the users at the heart of the experience.
