A Conversation with Antara Dave: Bridging Data, Design, and Human-Centered Experiences

Antara Dave giving a talk at the MIT CODE Conference - 2024

Kendall Klien: Antara, thank you for joining me today. Let’s start with your roots—where are you from, and how did your journey into the design world begin?

Antara Dave: I grew up in India, surrounded by vibrant colors, rich culture, and a deep storytelling tradition. These elements profoundly shaped my appreciation for visual expression and communication. Interestingly, my career didn’t start in design—I began in data analytics at The Home Depot. My work there revolved around optimizing workflows, automating large-scale processes, and building user-friendly dashboards for senior leadership.

It was a profoundly analytical role, but it sparked my curiosity about making complex data actionable and accessible. I met Bill Anderson, a talented artist and product designer at Home Depot, during this time. His passion for design as a problem-solving tool inspired me. I realized design wasn’t just creative—it was transformative, offering a way to solve real-world challenges.

Kendall: What a fascinating start! What led you to pursue a career in UX design specifically?

Antara: The turning point was recognizing the gap between powerful technology and its users. While working in data analytics, I saw firsthand how even the most advanced solutions could feel unintuitive or inaccessible. I realized design could bridge this gap, translating complexity into clarity. UX design felt like a perfect fit, emphasizing empathy, problem-solving, and user focus.

What excites me most is the ability to create solutions that address business needs and genuinely enhance people’s lives. It’s incredibly fulfilling to make technology more meaningful and accessible.

Team Dinner - Microsoft’s Azure Experimentation Team

Kendall: Your passion for combining data and design shines through. Can you share some significant milestones in your career as a UX design leader?

Antara: Absolutely. Some of my proudest moments include driving data-informed design decisions that improved product outcomes and leading cross-functional teams to create user-centric solutions. At Microsoft, I contributed to building a large-scale experimentation platform, enabling teams to enhance products like Bing, Office, and Xbox.

I’ve also been fortunate to receive national and international recognition, including the Summit International Awards and Graphic Design USA Awards. A gratifying moment was speaking at MIT’s CODE conference, where I shared insights on designing for experimentation platforms. It’s been a journey of growth and impact, and I’m grateful for every step.

A panel on Product Design for Experimentation platforms at MIT CODE - 2024

Kendall: Let’s dive into challenges—what’s been the most challenging product you’ve worked on, and why?

Antara: Designing Microsoft’s Experimentation platform was particularly challenging. It required balancing the needs of diverse personas—researchers, analysts, and product managers—while ensuring seamless integration with various data sources. The technical complexity was daunting, but addressing nuanced user pain points and aligning stakeholder expectations even more so.

Another challenge was leading the design of a medical imaging system for radiologists, incorporating AI for accuracy and efficiency. It was gratifying to know the solution directly impacted patient care. Challenges like these remind me why I love this field—they push you to think deeply and creatively.

Kendall: Your ability to navigate complexity is impressive. How do you balance gut intuition with data-driven research in your design process?

Antara: It’s all about balance. Intuition often sparks creative ideas, but data ensures those ideas are grounded in user needs and realities. I start with robust research—quantitative data to uncover patterns and qualitative insights to understand user behavior. Then, I validate design choices through testing and feedback. It’s an iterative process, blending evidence and creativity to craft empathetic, impactful solutions.

Kendall: What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Antara: I’d say, “Be curious and explore without fear.” It’s okay not to have everything figured out—every experience teaches you something. Take risks, even when they feel intimidating, because growth often happens outside your comfort zone. Seek mentors who inspire you, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re valuable lessons in disguise.

Kendall: Regarding mentorship, how do you guide the next generation of designers?

Antara: Mentorship is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I aim to create a safe space where designers can ask questions, experiment, and learn from their experiences. I focus on building strong fundamentals and encouraging critical thinking and empathy. Sharing real-world challenges and how I navigated them helps provide practical insights. Most importantly, I empower them to trust their voice and embrace storytelling as a powerful tool.

Antara, with her mentees, teaches how to turn user insights into design decisions

Kendall: Lastly, can you share a project that stands out in your career and why?

Antara: One standout project was designing the medical imaging system for radiologists. It directly supported patient care, which was incredibly fulfilling. Another was the ‘Period Health is Workplace Health’ B2B platform, which addressed workplace menstrual health. It tackled a stigmatized topic, fostering inclusivity and driving cultural change. Seeing its impact affirmed the importance of designing with empathy and purpose.

Kendall: Antara, your journey is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story, which is a testament to the power of design to create meaningful change.

Antara: Thank you, Kendall. It’s been a pleasure reflecting on this journey with you. Design is a collaborative, evolving field, and I’m excited about what’s ahead!