Born in India and raised in Plano, Texas, Lakshmi Nathan began her career with a solid background in Speech Therapy, dedicating 15 years to the healthcare field across hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Her journey into design was sparked by a volunteer opportunity to revamp the website of a wildlife rescue organization, a big cat sanctuary where she has been an active member for 17 years. Through this project, Lakshmi discovered a profound passion for user interaction, storytelling, and UX design. Her commitment to spotlighting the cats and their unique stories not only brought the organization’s mission to life but also ignited her transition into the world of design, where she now channels her skills and creativity.
As someone who loves solving puzzles and helping others overcome challenges, Lakshmi Nathan found a unique opportunity in UX design, where she can do both. She is dedicated to enhancing user experiences, with a particular focus on making accessibility a standard practice for the older population. Drawing from her extensive experience working with the geriatric community, Lakshmi aims to blend this knowledge with her expertise in user design and interaction to create inclusive apps and websites that cater to all users.
Lakshmi’s career transition began in 2021, when her initial experience with WordPress ignited a deep curiosity and desire for further knowledge. This led her to pursue courses through Google and DesignLab, culminating in the completion of the UX/UI Bootcamp at the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. Here, she refined her research and design skills, gained hands-on experience in front-end development, and honed her ability to collaborate effectively in team settings.
With a clear vision of working for a Fortune 500 company, Lakshmi also aspires to provide pro bono services for local animal rescues and to educate clients on the critical importance of inclusive design, particularly for older adults. Her journey reflects a commitment not only to professional excellence but also to making a meaningful impact through design.
Meet the Mentors
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Cindy Brummer
Instructor/Mentor
Founder of Standard Beagle and UX in ATX, Cindy graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art after completing a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Technology Innovation Center. Cindy. Along with running her own business, Cindy also teach the UX/UI boot camp program through the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. So far she has helped more than 250 students graduate. Cindy has been instrumental in my education and has heavily impacted how I tackle user interactions and research.
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Sathya Raja
Instructor/Mentor
As a UX/UI Instructional Specialist, I play a vital role in shaping the next generation of designers by providing essential support and guidance during a rigorous 6-month UX/UI Bootcamp. This program includes over 250 hours of in-class teaching on user-centric design, design thinking, prototyping, wireframing, testing, and front-end development. I guide students through hands-on training, offer constructive feedback on assignments and portfolios, and help them build professional portfolios aligned with industry standards. Additionally, I support their job search with career advice, resume reviews, and interview preparation, while offering one-on-one tutoring to students from 51 university partners, ensuring they are well-equipped to excel in UX and UI design.
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Heather A. Herrick
Instructor (TA)/Mentor
Originally a teacher with a marine biology background, Heather found herself, like many of us, wanting a career change and landed in the magical versatile world of UX. Heather graduated from UX/UI bootcamp at UT Austin and started her own company, Making Waves Web Solutions. She continues to honor her passion for teaching by coaching small business owners to maintain and update their own websites as well as mentoring students at the bootcamp from which she graduated. Her strong design skills and business acumen has shaped many students, including me.