Ruchita Lodha

I was born in a small town in India, in the age of dial-up modems and landline phones—the simpler times. I spent most of my childhood outdoors, playing a bazillion sports and coming home with a fresh injury almost every day. Indoors, my time was spent drawing pictures on the walls, much to my parents' dismay. When I was five, we got our first computer, and my older brother introduced me to video games. I was hooked. It was like escaping reality and bringing my imagination to life.

I had never met a designer growing up—it wasn't a visible career path where I came from. My curiosity about computers led me to engineering, where I developed a deep love for technology. But creativity was always calling. In college, I carved my own creative path, designing websites and marketing campaigns for student clubs, blending my technical skills with my passion for storytelling.

The next phases of my life were a series of experiments to help me find the perfect intersection of design, technology, and human behavior. I started as a backend engineer, worked at startups, and learned the inner workings of digital products. While working as an applications engineer, I saw the impact a small button change had on a small business owner's sales—it was like magic. I was hooked yet again.

Over the past nine years, I've worn multiple hats as an engineer, designer, and product thinker, giving me a unique perspective on how things are built and how they should feel. I thrive on storytelling, systems thinking, and crafting experiences that resonate. I've worked across industries from fintech to gaming and now at Pixar, where I continue to live at the intersection of art and technology.

Beyond work, I'm always learning something new. You might find me sculpting, dancing, binging indie movies, climbing, playing a new instrument, or hiking up a volcano abroad. I love collecting experiences that challenge me.

If you ever want to talk about design, art, adventure, or where to find the best chai in the Bay Area, let's connect!