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Niharika Mishra · Design Strategist at Capital One

Hi, I'm Nikki.

I'm on a mission to make complex systems feel human. I enjoy zero-to-one work where I can find the real problem and build while the idea is still a hunch.

So, what keeps me building?

I started in engineering because I've always wanted to understand how things work. Over time, design became the natural next step because it gave me a way to explore not only how things are made, but also why people think, struggle, and make decisions the way they do.

Building with AI has made the loop between idea and execution much faster. Still, the principles behind how I work have stayed the same.

  1. 01 I think in systems.
    I design beyond the moment of launch by considering the broader system, the incentives that shape it, and how an experience may evolve over time.

  2. 02 I start with the person.
    I begin by understanding the context people are in, what they need, and how they make decisions. The closer I can get to the people using a product, the better I can build for them.

  3. 03 I make the call.
    I believe good design requires judgment. I focus on what matters most, keep unnecessary complexity behind the scenes, and remove anything that does not earn its place in the experience.

  4. 04 I build toward something real.
    I design with a clear path to shipping in mind. I work within constraints, while also recognizing when those constraints need to be challenged to make the work better.

When I'm not building

I grew up across two countries and cultures, and moving between them taught me to meet unfamiliar places, people, and ways of thinking with curiosity. That perspective continues to shape how I approach both work and life.

Travel, surfing, and hiking help me stay connected to that part of myself. I'm at my best when I'm learning, adapting, and figuring things out as I go.

Where I learned to trust my body and breathe.

Where I learned to trust my body and breathe.

My first solo concert: just me and Dylan.

My first solo concert: just me and Dylan.

Hiking Acatenango, my first 13,000-foot volcanic summit.

Hiking Acatenango, my first 13,000-foot volcanic summit.

A tea ceremony in a Kyoto garden.

A tea ceremony in a Kyoto garden.

Eighty feet down a Costa Rican waterfall.

Eighty feet down a Costa Rican waterfall.

Freshly made empanadas in Antigua.

Freshly made empanadas in Antigua.

Wandering into the Sahara.

Wandering into the Sahara.

Hiding in a Manhattan tea shop with a book.

Hiding in a Manhattan tea shop with a book.

Taking in Japan's temples.

Taking in Japan's temples.

The best vegan sushi, from two grandmothers in Kamakura.

The best vegan sushi, from two grandmothers in Kamakura.

Skills

Product StrategyVibe CodingInteraction DesignUX DesignDesign SystemsPrototyping & WireframingFigmaUX ResearchAWSPython

If you're building for impact and appreciate ownership, let's talk.