Product Designer & UX Designer at Circle Internet Financial

Samiksha
Makhijani

SamikshaMakhijani (Product Designer & UX Designer  at Circle Internet Financial)

Samiksha is a multidisciplinary designer with 10+ years of experience in UX, product, and graphic design. She has worked at Shutterstock, TD Bank, and Circle, integrating Fintech, AI, and Crypto into user-centred solutions.

Fort Lauderdale, United States • April 23, 2025

What led you into design?

I got into design because I saw firsthand the impact it could have on people. My dad is an Interior Designer, and growing up, I often went with him to housewarming parties of the homes he built. I loved walking through the spaces, noticing the details, and watching how people reacted to his work. That was my inspiration to get into design—the details, the impact of design on people around you, and all the happy faces.

That early exposure led me to pursue Interior Design, and later, I advanced into Product/UX Design. Now, I work at the intersection of design and technology, particularly in AI, FinTech, and Crypto. I really enjoy working on emerging technologies like crypto, where I can leverage my skills to create meaningful impact. Simplifying complex crypto workflows excites me, and I’m passionate about making crypto accessible to everyone.

Beyond my work, I actively share my expertise through speaking engagements, judging hackathons, and mentorship. Giving back to the community is something I take pride in—it’s incredibly fulfilling to support and uplift the next generation of designers.

What does a typical day look like?

I usually wake up at 7 in the morning and go to Pilates classes a few times a week. Once I’m back, I need a cup of coffee to start my day. I reserve some time for a 15-minute Buddhist meditation, followed by journaling.

I work remotely, and the first thing I do is write down my important tasks for the day—it helps me stay focused. At work, I mostly focus on design strategy, collaborating with cross-functional teams, designing in Figma, attending product meetings, and responding to Slack messages.

In the evenings, I spend time listening to podcasts or taking short courses to stay updated on the latest technologies. It helps me become a better designer and stay ahead in the evolving tech space. If I’m lucky to finish work early, I like to take a walk by the beach near my house to get some fresh air. My day usually ends with an early dinner, and I sleep around 11ish.

Double rainbow at the beach
Caught a rare double rainbow at the beach one day!

What's your workstation setup?

I mostly work from home, but sometimes I like going to new places and work in a new environment. My favourite workstation is this cafe close to my house. It has beautiful interiors and a great vibe!

Where do you go to get inspired?

I find inspiration in nature and the people around me. Being in nature refreshes my mind, shifts my perspective, and reminds me of the bigger picture—that we are just a small part of something much larger. It also reinforces the importance of serving the community and helping others in any way possible.

As a User Experience Designer, I draw inspiration from observing people—their behaviors, interactions, and decision-making in different settings. One of the biggest lessons user research has taught me is that people often don’t know what they need until you observe them in context. Understanding different mental models and behavioral patterns helps me design experiences that truly solve problems, even the ones users may not articulate themselves.

I also find inspiration in emerging designers when I provide mentorship. Seeing them break boundaries in innovation and creativity, exploring new ideas in evolving technologies, and pushing the limits of design thinking fuels my own growth and passion for the field. Their curiosity and fresh perspectives remind me that learning and innovation are continuous journeys.

What product have you recently seen that made you think this is great design?

I recently come across these two apps that I found quite impressive. Number 1 is BoldVoice that helps non-native speakers in improving their pronunciation and communication skills. They are using Artificial Intelligence for solving a very interesting problem. The app is thoughtfully designed that reduces the clutter and allows the user to focus on the training and track their progress easily.

Number 2 is Deepstash, which is my personal favourite. It offers bite-sized learnings and within a few minutes I can read the summary of a book. I can set reminders for myself and easily view my streaks for the day. In terms of interaction they've done a pretty good job - user can scroll from one insight to another, while staying focused on the insight that they are reading at the moment. The best thing is that I can create my own library by topics that interest me and save summaries.

What pieces of work are you most proud of?

The work I’m most proud of is simplifying complex workflows in Crypto and FinTech. Money matters to everyone, and designing for payments and money movement requires more than just aesthetics—it demands a deep understanding of how people think about and interact with their finances. It’s about making experiences usable, secure, and stress-free.

Crypto, in particular, is its own challenge. Many people find it overwhelming, confusing, and inaccessible—and I get it. Blockchain is complex. But that’s exactly what drives my passion for this space. As a designer, my role goes beyond moving pixels in Figma; it’s about breaking down complexity, building trust, and crafting intuitive experiences that make crypto approachable for everyone.

The opportunity to make financial systems easier to navigate—to empower users with confidence in a space that often feels intimidating—is what makes this work truly meaningful and rewarding.

What design challenges do you face at your company?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is how long it takes to align with stakeholders. Sometimes, it feels like we go through endless rounds of meetings just to get everyone on the same page about one thing. And by the time we finally align, there’s barely any time left for actual creativity and problem-solving.

Another pain point? Lack of documentation. I can’t tell you how many times a team member has left, and suddenly, all the context around a key business function is just… gone. Trying to piece together fragmented information from different people can take weeks, which slows everything down and makes even simple tasks way more complicated than they need to be.

And then there’s crypto, which comes with its own unique challenge. A lot of degen team members assume that everyone understands the space, but the truth is—they don’t. My research has shown time and time again that crypto still feels overwhelming to most people, and there’s a huge need for simplification.

That’s why I keep pushing for a mindset shift: we’re not just designing for crypto-natives—we’re designing for real people. If we want mass adoption, we have to make crypto accessible, intuitive, and user-friendly. At the end of the day, that’s what great design is all about.

What music do you listen to while designing?

Any advice for ambitious designers?

Stay curious and keep pushing yourself to learn about emerging technologies—whether it’s AI, blockchain, or something completely new. The design industry moves fast, and if you don’t keep up, you’ll get left behind. Experiment, take risks, and don’t box yourself into one skill set.

Also, don’t wait for permission to grow—seek out new challenges, connect with the design community, and put yourself in rooms where big conversations are happening. The best designers aren’t just great at visuals; they understand business, technology, and user behavior. Keep evolving, and you’ll always stay ahead.

Anything you want to promote or plug?

https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/designing-user-experiences-for-ai-a-real-world-journey-f5351821acb5

https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/a-simple-3-step-guide-to-building-your-first-ux-portfolio-64ee3aceee4c