I design products that start with people. From postpartum recovery tools to biomedical devices, I combine engineering rigour with human-centred research to create solutions that are as thoughtful as they are functional.
An exercise toybox for postpartum mothers that transforms toy tidy-up into guided micro-exercise. Self-initiated brief targeting an unfamiliar user group, designed through empathy mapping, behavioural economics, and iterative prototyping.
A compact pre-treatment station preventing sink blockages in communal student kitchens. Born from lived experience, designed through subtle behavioural interventions.
A ground-operated gutter cleaning mechanism. Iterative prototyping across perforated, grid, and linear guard designs with real debris testing.
Materials research into bioabsorbable metals for coronary applications. Cross-functional team with mechanical, biomedical, and robotics engineers.
Arduino-based autonomous navigation using IR and ultrasonic sensors. Implemented Bug 2 algorithm combining obstacle avoidance, wall following, and goal tracking.
I'm Ayana, a Design Engineer based in London. I combine engineering rigour with human-centred design methodology to create products that solve real problems for real people.
My process always starts with empathy. Whether I'm designing for postpartum mothers whose experience I've never lived, or collaborating with biomedical and robotics engineers on coronary stent research, I believe the best design decisions come from deeply understanding the people you're designing for.
I'm experienced in end-to-end product development: from user research and empathy mapping through ideation, CAD modelling, physical prototyping, and iterative testing. I thrive in cross-disciplinary teams and enjoy the messy, back-and-forth process of getting a design right.
Designed office layouts through sketching and vision boarding, aligning sustainable spatial design with the studio's brand values. Led iterative client collaboration, incorporating feedback across multiple review cycles to deliver functional, aesthetically coherent workspace solutions.
Led a 6-person cross-functional team through a 3 to 4 week research phase and 2-day intensive build sprint, delivering a Figma prototype of an AI-driven platform for music producers enabling sample sharing, matching, and automated royalty distribution.
Designed and built a WordPress website and promotional materials using Canva, applying design psychology to ensure alignment with the client's brand identity and user engagement objectives.
Developed tailored lesson plans and study techniques for individual students, strengthening skills in communication, empathy, and adapting complex information for different audiences.
User Research, Empathy Mapping, Wireframing, Prototyping (Physical & Digital), Usability Testing, Design Thinking
Fusion 360, Creo, TinkerCAD, Figma, Canva
3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Woodworking, Workshop Machinery
Arduino (C++), JavaScript, Processing
UK Graduate Visa (valid to Sept 2027)
US Citizen · EU/Belgian Citizen
No sponsorship required
UK Graduate Visa (to Sept 2027) · US Citizen · EU/Belgian Citizen