SONY THAKURI

Master's in Innovation Design | Product (UI/UX) Designer | UX Researcher
Wichita, US.

About

Innovative Product (UI/UX) Designer and UX Researcher with a Master's in Innovation Design, adept at leading end-to-end product development cycles and leveraging data-driven insights to create engaging user experiences. Proven ability to drive significant improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, and business outcomes through strategic design and rigorous research methodologies.

Work

Open XR Lab, Wichita State University
|

NASA Artemis Student Assistant

Wichita, Kansas, US

Summary

Leading the development and validation of an AI assistant for astronaut navigation interfaces using human-in-the-loop testing and AR/VR design for NASA Suits Challenge

Highlights

Building an AI assistant with human-in-the-loop testing to optimize astronaut navigation interfaces for NASA's 2026 challenge.

Conducting comprehensive user studies and statistical analysis to validate AR/VR design decisions, ensuring robust interface performance and usability.

Yatri Motorcycles
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Product (UI/UX) Designer

Nepal, Nepal

Summary

Spearheaded end-to-end UX design for Yatri Hub and Yatri Energy Apps, significantly boosting user engagement and contributing to product pre-bookings.

Highlights

Led end-to-end UX design for Yatri Hub and Yatri Energy Apps, boosting user engagement by enabling real-time EV performance and charging behavior tracking.

Designed and validated data-driven dashboard interfaces through usability testing, improving rider satisfaction by 30% and enhancing EV performance tracking capabilities.

Conducted comprehensive product research, including 3 focus groups (30+ participants) and 100+ online surveys, to identify EV adoption barriers and uncover growth opportunities.

Directed the design of Project One Configurator, contributing to 80 unit pre-bookings within the first month of launch.

Leapfrog Technology
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UX Intern

Nepal, Nepal

Summary

Completed a capstone project at Leapfrog Technology, proposing design thinking solutions to address mentorship, engagement, and retention challenges.

Highlights

Completed a capstone project, proposing innovative solutions through design thinking and data analysis to address mentorship, engagement, and retention challenges.

Code Rush
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Graphic designer & Social Media Manager

Nepal, Nepal

Summary

Managed graphic design and social media for Code Rush, significantly increasing engagement and online presence through strategic campaigns.

Highlights

Collaborated on a successful project with Genese Cloud Academy, leveraging insights to increase social media engagement by 16% and enhance online presence.

Led design projects for diversity initiatives like "Code Like Her" and "Designer in Her," attracting over 200 fellowship applications and growing social media following from 123 to 347 (182% increase) within two months.

Education

Tribhuvan University
Kathmandu, Nepal

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)

Electronics & Communication Engineering

Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas, United States of America

Master's

Innovation Design

Volunteer

MID Cohort 2025, Wichita State University
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President

Wichita, Kansas, United States of America

Summary

Leading strategic planning, event coordination, and peer collaboration for the MID Cohort 2025.

Highlights

Led strategic planning, event coordination, and fostered peer collaboration, enhancing academic and social engagement for the MID Cohort 2025.

Girls in Tech Nepal
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Membership Manager - Advisory Board (Volunteer)

Nepal, Nepal

Summary

Managed community events and organized skill-building sessions, facilitating design thinking workshops for Girls in Tech Nepal.

Highlights

Organized skill-building sessions and managed community events, facilitating impactful Design Thinking workshops for community members.

Awards

Winner, EntrepreneurHer

Awarded By

EntrepreneurHer Program

Secured $2,000 equity investment for the Learn Loksewa project, demonstrating strong entrepreneurial acumen and project viability.

Winner, Auto Robotic Car Competition

Awarded By

Competition Organizers

Designed and developed a Bluetooth-controlled car, participating in a sponsored program in Singapore with specialized kart racing training.

Languages

English
Nepali
French

Skills

Design & Prototyping Tools

Figma, FigJam, Adobe Creative Suite, Spline, Touchdesigner, Unreal Engine.

Programming & Data Analysis

Python, Statistical Analysis.

Productivity & Collaboration

Microsoft Word, Excel, User Studies, Design Thinking, Project Management.

UX/UI Design Principles

User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Product Design, Information Architecture, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing.

Research & Strategy

User Research, Focus Groups, Online Surveys, Data-Driven Insights, Product Strategy, Market Research.

Emerging Technologies

AR/VR Design, AI Assistant Development, Human-in-the-Loop Testing.

Certificates

Professional scrum product ownerI

Issued By

Scrum.org

Professional Scrum master I

Issued By

Scrum.org