Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Preetika Gulati. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Preetika, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is called ARGUS—a smart, AI-powered solution designed to tackle a critical issue in the construction industry: communication breakdowns on job sites due to language barriers.

The idea emerged after I spent time on a construction site during our initial discovery phase. I saw workers struggling to communicate—some relying on hand gestures, others walking long distances just to confirm simple instructions. Many didn’t speak the same language as their supervisors, yet they were expected to perform high-risk tasks with precision. I quickly realized this wasn’t just a communication issue—it was a matter of safety, efficiency, and respect.

I led the on-site research and conducted interviews with workers from diverse language backgrounds. For me, it was essential to listen closely and understand their daily frustrations—how these communication gaps affected not only their workflow but also their confidence and sense of belonging on site.

From there, my team and I developed ARGUS—a real-time, AI-powered solution that leverages voice recognition, translation technology, and visual signaling to bridge the language gap in fast-paced, high-noise environments. The goal was to reduce miscommunication, simplify task coordination, and help workers feel safer and more understood.

What made ARGUS especially meaningful was how human the problem felt—and the impact we could make by solving it. It wasn’t about flashy features; it was about designing something that could genuinely improve lives.

And I was honored when ARGUS was recognized as one of the most impactful student-led innovations worldwide. I was invited to Dubai by Prototypes for Humanity to represent the project on a global stage—a moment that reminded me how far empathy-driven design can go when it’s rooted in real-world problems.

This experience reinforced why I’m so passionate about UX: because when we truly listen to people, we can create tools that empower them, protect them, and make their everyday lives better.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Preetika Gulati—a Product Designer who believes design is a powerful tool to solve real-world problems in ways that are thoughtful, inclusive, and deeply human.

My journey into UX started back in my teens. I was fascinated by designing physical products and how they work, but as digital tools became a bigger part of our lives, I realized how they could simplify everything—from banking to communication to travel. That’s when I discovered something exciting: great design isn’t just about objects you can hold, it’s about creating meaningful interactions that help people feel understood and achieve their goals.

Today, I focus on designing digital experiences that are intuitive and purposeful. Whether I’m helping B2B partners navigate complex fintech platforms, co-founding a design agency to deliver impactful solutions, or building AI-powered tools for underserved industries, my goal is always to simplify complexity, elevate usability, and empower people. I’ve had the chance to work on enterprise solutions at Rocket Mortgage, reimagine travel experiences with Deloitte, and design ARGUS—an award-winning AI solution tackling communication, safety, and productivity challenges on construction sites.

ARGUS was recognized globally by Prototypes for Humanity and selected as one of the world’s most impactful student-led innovations, earning me the opportunity to represent the project in Dubai. I also received a Red Dot Design Award for this work—honors that remind me of the value of designing with empathy, integrity, and craft.

What truly sets me apart is my empathy and hands-on approach. I don’t settle for surface-level interviews or assumptions—I dive deep and step into users’ worlds. For example, during the ARGUS project, I spent time on active construction sites, talking directly with workers and witnessing the challenges they face every day. That kind of real-world research lets me design solutions that are not just functional, but truly meaningful.

I’m most proud of championing underrepresented users—those whose voices often go unheard. Whether it’s frontline workers, small business owners, or first-time tech users, I believe the best design starts with listening.

If there’s one thing I want clients, collaborators, or future teammates to know, it’s this: I don’t design just to make things look good. I design with purpose, ask the tough questions, explore every possibility, and always advocate for the user. My mission is to create solutions that aren’t just beautiful, but genuinely improve people’s lives.Ne

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my life was choosing to leave my home country and move to the United States to pursue my passion for UX Design at my dream school, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). This leap meant stepping far beyond my comfort zone—immersing myself in a new culture, building a support network from scratch, and adapting to an entirely different educational system.

There were times when self-doubt, loneliness, and uncertainty crept in, but what kept me going was a clear vision: to create human-centered experiences that genuinely improve people’s everyday lives. I actively sought out meaningful connections—with classmates, mentors, and industry professionals, who not only supported me but also challenged and inspired me to grow.

Through this journey, I learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about embracing change, learning relentlessly, and staying deeply committed to your passion and purpose. That mindset continues to fuel every project I take on, driving me to design with empathy and make a real, positive impact.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey is a mission that feels deeply personal: to design experiences that genuinely empower people—especially those whose voices often go unheard. I believe design isn’t just about making things look good; it’s about solving real problems with empathy, inclusivity, and integrity.

Whether I’m simplifying complex platforms or designing AI tools to bridge language gaps on construction sites, I’m driven by the chance to create experiences that truly connect. Through human-centered design, I help mission-driven teams engage their audiences in ways that feel intuitive, honest, and meaningful—ensuring everyone, from frontline workers to small business owners, feels seen and supported.

This mission isn’t just my work—it’s my calling. It pushes me every day to dig deeper, ask tougher questions, and create with purpose and care. Knowing that my designs can make even a small difference in someone’s daily life is what drives me forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://preetikagulati.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/design.preetikagul_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/preetika-gulati/