Nikhitha Reddy Kalakota
🏢 UXE User Testing Lead · Stellantis
🎓 M.S. UX Research · Arizona State University
📍 Detroit, Michigan
🌐 nikhithareddy.com
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My Story

Not every designer starts their journey in design.

Mine began with a love for creativity long before I knew UX design existed. As a child, I was drawn to art, colors, and creating things that felt meaningful. That creative curiosity eventually led me to pursue a degree in Computer Science Engineering, where I learned how technology and digital products are built.

During my final year, I discovered UI/UX Design through an elective course, and everything clicked. It was the perfect blend of creativity, psychology, technology, and problem-solving. More importantly, it shifted my focus from building products to understanding the people who use them.

That realization inspired me to pursue a Master's degree in User Experience Research and Human-Computer Interaction at Arizona State University, where I deepened my expertise in research methods, accessibility, usability testing, and human-centered design.

Today, I'm a UXE User Testing Lead at Stellantis, leading full-cycle usability studies, expert evaluations, and large-scale surveys that shape how millions of people interact with next-generation automotive interfaces. Across 15+ projects, I've brought together analytical thinking and creative instinct to move research into real, impactful design decisions.

Whether I'm working on healthcare platforms, e-commerce experiences, or automotive dashboards, my goal remains the same:

To create products that people don't just use, but genuinely enjoy using.

Because great design isn't just about how something looks. It's about how it makes people feel.

View My Work → Let's Connect

Quick Facts:

Short on time? Here's a quick snapshot of who I am, what I do, and what drives my work.

( 00 )
🎨Creative Since Childhood
My journey into UX started long before I knew design could be a career
( 01 )
🎓M.S. User Experience Research
Arizona State University. Human-Computer Interaction & UX Research
( 02 )
💼UXE User Testing Lead at Stellantis
Leading usability studies for next-generation automotive experiences
( 03 )
📊Mixed Methods Researcher
Combining qualitative and quantitative insights to uncover user needs
( 04 )
💻Designer with an Engineering Background
Bridging technical feasibility with human-centered design
( 05 )
Accessibility Advocate
Designing inclusive experiences guided by WCAG principles
( 06 )
🌍Travel Enthusiast & Cafe Explorer
Finding inspiration through cultures, conversations, and everyday experiences

Skills & Methods

What I bring to every project

Research Methods
Moderated Usability Testing
Expert Evaluation
Heuristic Evaluation
Think-Aloud Protocol
User Interviews
Survey Design
Journey Mapping
User Personas
Platforms & Tools
Figma
Miro
Adobe XD
SketchUp
UserTesting.com
SurveyMonkey
Microsoft Office
Domain Expertise
Wireframing & Prototyping
Automotive UX
Human Factors
Design System
Information Architecture
UX Strategy
Accessibility (WCAG)
Cross-cultural Design
Nikhitha at Yellowstone Lake
Grand Teton mountains
Handmade pottery bowl with heart
Clay flower mirror I made
Coffee at a café
Homemade chocolate chunk brownies fresh out of the oven

Life outside the screen

This is what I do
besides work

Honestly? If I'm not working you'll probably find me at the gym, throwing clay on a wheel, or cooking something I definitely didn't need to attempt on a weeknight. I made that flower mirror btw, every single clay petal. Slightly obsessed with making things with my hands.

I travel every chance I get and I take way too many photos of landscapes. The camera comes everywhere.

Also, coffee is not optional. New city, first thing I'm doing is finding the best local café. Iced latte, good light, no rush. That's the vibe.

🏋️ Working out
🏺 Clay & pottery
🍳 Cooking
✈️ Traveling
Café hunting
📷 Photography