Utsav Shah

Hello, I’m Utsav

I’m originally from Bombay and I currently live in Seattle.

I started my career studying Electrical engineering but gravitated towards understanding and designing interfaces.

Currently, I work at Amazon designing Search experiences for the Kindle ecosystem. Over the last few years at Amazon, I’ve led the design evolution of Kindle apps, a new icon library on all Kindle surfaces and much more.

Previously, I spent a few years at Bose designing experiences that shipped to millions and some that also made it to the tech graveyard.

I enjoy making interfaces that are snappy, playful and polished. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with interactive essays as a format to understand and play with ideas.

Outside of work

I enjoy being outdoors and going for a long run, a long bike ride and playing football (when I can). Reading and literature has always been a huge part of my life.

Utsav standing outdoors Utsav running with a dog Utsav cycling outdoors

Someday

There are a few things I’d like to have done someday. Here they are in no particular order –

  • Design an icon library
  • Design a typeface
  • Design & build a small piece of furniture
  • Learn to play 1 full album of Explosions in the Sky on the piano
  • Secret project that’s yet to ship
  • Build a small fun game
  • Write a short book
  • Design a physical book
  • Share writings and short essays
  • Introduce and support upcoming designers
  • Grow up?

Things I return to

I do enjoy trying new things from time to time. However, there are some timeless articles, talks, books and tools I find myself going back to. Here they are –

Articles

  • Magic Ink Bret Victor
  • Up and down the ladder of abstraction Bret Victor
  • Learnable programming Bret Victor
  • Gorton Recreations Marcin Wichary
  • How to Design for iPhone X Lux Camera

Talks

  • Inventing on Principle Bret Victor
  • Designing Fluid Interfaces Apple WWDC
  • Design process is dead Jenny Wen
  • Designing Dystopia Jeremy Hindle
  • Inside the mind of a master procrastinator Tim Urban

Books

  • The Art of doing Science & Engineering Richard Hamming
  • Predictably Irrational Dan Ariely
  • The Next Conversation Jefferson Fisher
  • Chasing Excellence Ben Bergeron
  • Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom

Say hello

It’s always good to make friends on the interwebs. Happy to talk, collaborate or help in any way I can.

Email – utsav0909@gmail.com
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