Employee spotlight: Chin-May Aradhye

What makes 84.51˚ an intriguing company? Is it the flexible hybrid work options, the free food regularly found around the office or the challenging problems that we tackle? While these aspects are undoubtedly great, it’s the people that make working here truly special. Check out our Employee Spotlight series to learn more about who we are and the unique traits of our teammates. 

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Mich.  Office Location: Remote Home Office  Start Date: January 2024  Job title: Lead Product Designer 

Describe your role.

As a Lead Product Designer at 84.51°, my mission is to ensure our digital products deliver meaningful value to clients, by unleashing the power of design, technology, and psychology.  

My experience working with data and insights across various sectors has shown me that processing data and presenting insights isn't enough. The real challenge lies in ensuring clients understand, remember, and can retrieve these insights when needed. 

Visionaries like Steve Jobs have illustrated that true innovation comes from prioritizing user experience and solving real problems with the available technology. As UX and product designers, we ensure our teams deeply understand users' needs and collaborate to create the most effective solutions.  

How long have you worked in UX design and what inspired you to pursue this field?

I’ve been officially working in design for about 10 years, but since I was a kid, my passion has always been at the intersection of technology and psychology. Design allows me to deeply explore this connection. I’ve always appreciated things that function elegantly and meet expectations seamlessly.  

During my graduate studies in psychology, I learned how the way information is framed can significantly impact how it’s interpreted. The same data can lead to entirely different conclusions depending on its presentation. For any interactive technology to be effective, it’s crucial to understand how the mind processes information.  

When you combine that with the dynamic challenges of business, it creates a role that’s endlessly exciting and never dull.  

What interested you in joining 84.51°?

I was excited by the challenge and opportunity of working on products that provide insights for Kroger, America’s largest grocery retailer. There’s only a handful of places where you could work on the particularly challenging problems that we deal with. I also enjoyed the culture and the people I interviewed with.  

What has been the most memorable experience or favorite project you’ve worked on?

During my brief time here, I had the opportunity to work on a pioneering product aimed at small to mid-sized CPGs at Kroger, which operate similarly to startups. Interviewing them and gaining insights into their world was a fascinating experience.  

What’s your favorite part about working at 84.51°? Do you have a favorite benefit or perk that is offered?

My favorite part so far is definitely the company and the culture. People seem really nice and understanding of each other. Especially the way the leadership responds to the people’s needs, is quite impressive. Coupled with the interesting problems we get to work on, that’s cool combo. As for the perk, it’s hard to beat the ability to work remotely.   

What advice would you give to those who are considering working in this field?

Familiarize yourself with the business landscape, as it is both unique and complex. In well-established industries like retail, where the market has been stable for decades, it can be challenging for newcomers to make a significant impact immediately. However, as technologists, we are accustomed to driving transformative change in various sectors—examples include Capital One in finance, Tesla in automotive, and Robinhood in investment.  

What do you like to do in your free time outside of work hours?

I enjoy sports and video games because they allow me to experiment with different strategies to improve, and the results are clear, providing instant feedback. I also love taking online courses on various challenging topics—feeling out of my depth is a sure sign I’m learning something new. Recently, I’ve been diving into 3D printing, which has been incredibly fun and rewarding.