We were lucky to catch up with Vignesh Hari Krishnan recently and have shared our conversation below.

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

The Lineages: Madras Checks project has been one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on because it represents a convergence of personal history, cultural identity, and design innovation. It’s a profoundly personal exploration of heritage and how it can be preserved and reimagined for a modern audience.

While studying at Yale, I began to reflect more deeply on the intersections of culture, identity, and design. It was during this time that I revisited Madras checks, a pattern deeply tied to my roots and heritage. As I learned more about the legacy of Elihu Yale, whose ties to both Chennai and the founding of Yale University are woven into complex colonial histories around Madras Checks, I began to see Madras checks as more than just a fabric. They represent a story of trade, culture, and power dynamics, a tangible reminder of the interconnectedness between these places and histories.

The opportunity to showcase work for the Lineages exhibition in Chennai was the perfect moment to dive deeper into this narrative. I wanted to explore how Madras checks could be preserved, not by freezing them in time, but by allowing them to evolve. By combining the traditional craftsmanship of Madras checks with Processing based Generative art, I could experiment with patterns that honored the past while opening up possibilities for the future. It was my way of asking: how can we carry tradition forward in a world that’s constantly changing?

For me, this project is a love letter to my roots. It’s about preserving a piece of where I come from while giving it a voice in today’s design conversations.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Vignesh Harikrishnan, a product designer trained as an architect, with a deep focus on creating culturally responsive digital tools and spaces. My journey into design started with architecture, where I learned how the built environment shapes human experiences. Over time, I realized my curiosity extended beyond buildings into how digital environments and tools could also impact our daily lives—especially in ways that support mental and physical well-being.

My work spans designing mobile apps, interactive systems, and exhibitions that merge traditional cultural narratives with modern technology. For instance, I’ve designed apps that help Black women manage anxiety through mindfulness, platforms that connect health coaches with users managing chronic conditions, and tools that support formerly incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives.

What I Offer

I focus on designing products and experiences that are not just functional but deeply empathetic. My services often include:

– Crafting digital interfaces that are intuitive, inclusive, and delightful to use.
– Cultural Storytelling with Technology: Combining traditional crafts and narratives with generative art and digital tools to create innovative design projects, like my Madras Checks initiative.
– Community-Centered Design: Developing solutions that address real-world challenges, from mental health to community resilience, always keeping the end-user’s context in mind.

Problems I Solve

My work primarily revolves around bridging gaps—whether it’s connecting users to healthcare systems, revitalizing cultural heritage through technology, or creating digital tools that make everyday interactions more human. I aim to address challenges related to inclusivity, access, and how technology can serve diverse communities.

I think what truly sets me apart is my focus on design with meaning—whether I’m working on a health app or an exhibition, I aim to ensure that the work isn’t just visually appealing but rooted in stories, context, and empathy.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of projects where I’ve made a tangible impact. For instance:

– The WellSis app, which supports Black women managing anxiety, reflects my commitment to culturally responsive design.
– My Lineages: Madras Checks project, where I used generative art to reimagine a heritage craft, has been one of the most personal and fulfilling projects of my career.
– Welcome Home app=, tools that support formerly incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives.

What I Want People to Know About My Work

At its core, my work is about creating thoughtful, meaningful designs that make life a little easier, a little more connected, and a lot more human. Whether you’re a client, a collaborator, or a curious observer, I hope my projects communicate my belief that design is not just about solving problems—it’s about creating opportunities for connection, reflection, and growth.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that imperfection is failure. Instead, I’ve come to see it as an opportunity. Sharing work that’s raw or unfinished opens doors to new perspectives and insights that I couldn’t have arrived at alone. It’s better to create, share, and iterate than to hold back for fear of it not being “ready.”

Now, I focus on progress over perfection. Whether it’s publishing an idea, sharing a prototype, or exploring a design, I remind myself that creativity thrives in the messy, imperfect process of making—and that’s where the real magic happens.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The driving mission behind my creative journey is to design culturally responsive tools and spaces that empower health, community, and connection. I want my work to address real-world challenges by designing interactive platforms that bring people closer to resources and each other.

At its core, my goal is to bridge gaps—between tradition and innovation, people and technology, and ideas and action. I want my designs to feel human, empathetic, and intentional, helping people navigate their lives with a sense of agency and belonging. Ultimately, I’m driven by the belief that good design has the power to transform not just how we interact with the world but how we see ourselves within it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pixel-by-vignesh.vercel.app/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vignesh_harikrishnan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vigneshharikrishnan/
• Twitter: https://x.com/vi_harkrishnan
• Other: WIP: vihrkr.com

Image Credits

Vignesh Hari Krishnan, Dana Karwas, Mano Ranjan