DECHEN NAGI
Interdisciplinary designer, artist, and entrepreneur with 8+ years’ experience spanning design, content, marketing, research, and mentoring.
Former Amazonian passionate about user experience, innovative research, and technology-driven solutions, with a focus on creating interactions
for an AI-first world.
Experience
FEB – APRIL 2025 | Vancouver, BC
RESEARCH ASSISTANT – METADATA & TAXONOMY REDESIGN | EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN B2B
Responsibilities
Supported the information architecture redesign of Emily Carr’s master’s thesis e-collection, focusing on metadata modeling, taxonomy evaluation, and discoverability improvements during the institution’s migration from Islandora 7 (MODS) to Islandora 8/Drupal. Analyzed hierarchical schema limitations in representing interdisciplinary creative research and contributed to the development of a modular, user-centered metadata framework aligned with Drupal’s decoupled architecture. Collaborated with librarians, faculty, and graduate students to synthesize user research grounded in blended space theory, observing real-world browsing behavior and information-seeking patterns.
Highlights:
• Conducted a comparative analysis of metadata/taxonomy structures across peer institutions to inform crosswalk mapping and schema flexibility.
• Identified inconsistencies in faceted search behavior and proposed UI-level metadata interventions to support non-linear discovery paths.
• Created empathy maps and user personas from observational research, influencing IA decisions aligned with user mental models.
• Built an implementation roadmap recommending controlled vocabulary refinement, modular field structures, and filter logic optimizations.
• Contributed to the metadata audit and strategy for transitioning to a Drupal-based system supporting customized entity relationships.
SEP 2024 – MAY 2025 | Vancouver, BC
RESEARCH ASSISTANT – BLENDED SPACES & EXPERIENCE DESIGN | EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN
Responsibilities
Co-led the design and implementation of a field-based workshop exploring the intersection of spatial cognition and information architecture in blended physical-digital environments. Supported theoretical grounding through research synthesis, precedent mapping, and collaborative design with faculty and peers. Developed participant prompts, routes, and interaction frameworks to examine how movement, tools, and environment shape user experience. Led analysis and documentation of participant behavior, spatial interactions, and embodied cognition using the lenses of choreography, topology, and ontology. Contributed to cross-functional coordination, route planning, and facilitation of experiential workshops involving students from multiple disciplines.
Highlights:
• Designed and delivered a 3-hour participatory workshop engaging 30+ participants across digital, analog, and hybrid user journeys.
• Created reflective and task-based prompts that revealed cognitive and behavioral differences in tool-mediated navigation.
• Applied embodied research methods to surface patterns in how users perceive and move through information environments.
• Co-authored and presented a case study at the Information Architecture Conference 2025 alongside Andrea Resmini, who is information architect, designer, and researcher known for pioneering work on ubiquitous and cross-channel information architecture, whose earlier workshop precedent directly inspired this work.
DEC 2024 – FEB 2025 | Vancouver, BC
RESEARCH ASSISTANT – GRADUATE FUNDING DATABASE | EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN
Responsibilities
Designed and structured a searchable database consolidating awards, grants, scholarships, and residencies for MFA and MDes students. Developed taxonomy, metadata schema, and filter systems to improve discoverability across categories and disciplines. Prototyped the system in Google Sheets, selected for its accessibility within academic contexts, and iterated based on staff and student feedback. Established a maintenance SOP and governance model to ensure long-term sustainability.
Highlights:
• Built a three-level information architecture spanning categories, filters, and core metadata fields.
• Conducted comparative research across Canadian and international sources, expanding coverage to India, China, and Mexico.
• Created wireframes, flow diagrams, and a structured prototype tested with graduate students and staff.
• Implemented refinements to organization, navigation, labeling, and interaction systems based on feedback.
• Authored a maintenance SOP with monthly, quarterly, and annual update cycles.
JULY 2018 – MAY 2022 | Bengaluru, India
MARKETING MANAGER – FASHION ACCESSORIES (EYEWEAR, JEWELRY & WATCHES) | AMAZON.IN FASHION
Responsibilities
Designed and optimized end-to-end digital shopping experiences by integrating UX principles with marketing strategy for Amazon Fashion Accessories. Developed content, visuals, and product pages focused on user needs, ensuring intuitive product discovery and decision-making in a complex, style-driven category. Partnered cross-functionally to build seamless, user-centric journeys that increased engagement and lifetime value. Led wireframing, content design, and on-site marketing channel management for high-traffic seasonal events, balancing business goals with customer experience insights.
Highlights:
• Reduced product page drop-offs by 18% through UX-driven decision aids embedded in product images, boosting customer confidence and conversion.
• Increased average order value by 12% via curated style-based product collections that encouraged complementary purchases.
• Directed design and marketing for festive sales events, collaborating with 10+ stakeholders and delivering a 25% uplift in category sales.
• Launched flagship brands and enhanced discovery flows, increasing first-purchase conversions by 15% and new customer onboarding by 10%. • Built an influencer ecosystem driving 2M+ engagements and improving repeat visits and purchases by 20% and 15%, respectively.
MAY 2016 – JUNE 2018 | Bengaluru, India
FASHION CURATOR | AMAZON.IN FASHION
Responsibilities
Applied fashion design expertise to craft engaging digital experiences for jewelry and fashion accessories. Collaborated with design teams to create visuals and content that enhanced product storytelling and improved user browsing. Led cross-functional teams and vendor workshops to optimize product pages and improve search and navigation through design solutions.
Highlights:
• Led a team of 12 curators to design and manage landing pages for bi-annual events, boosting user engagement by 15%.
• Improved product detail pages, increasing browse-to-buy conversion by 12% through visual and content enhancements.
• Conducted vendor workshops that enhanced product discoverability, raising search relevance scores by 18%.
• Managed marketing visuals for exclusive launches, driving a 10% lift in user interest and sales.
FEB 2021 – DEC 2022 | Bengaluru, India
FOUNDER | DEECH.IN
Responsibilities
Launched and grew a lifestyle brand centered on original hand-painted designs across scarves, jewelry storage, coasters, and more.
Highlights:
• Created and released the inaugural “Where is my shore?” collection featuring 35+ unique artworks inspired by themes of the sea and personal solace.
• Managed end-to-end business operations including website development, sourcing, vendor management, social media, packaging, and finance.
• Sold out inventory worth $20,000 within 8 months from a modest $1,000 investment, demonstrating strong market fit and sustained demand.
• Cultivated ongoing custom product leads and client relationships, sustaining revenue streams for 12+ months through commissioned art and professional sales.
JUNE 2015 – DEC 2015 | Hyderabad, India
ASSOCIATE FASHION DESIGNER | LODESTONE PVT LTD
Managed end-to-end design process from concept to final styling, incorporating market research and buyer feedback to ensure designs met customer preferences and market trends.
JUNE 2021 – NOV 2023 | Hyderabad, India
EDUCATION MENTOR | MYCAPTAIN
Served as the resident design expert, delivering weekly classes across multiple batches and providing hands-on guidance. Supported curriculum development, teaching strategies, and fostered reflective practice to enhance student learning and professional growth.
High School Diploma (10 + 2) | Tagore Academy
APRIL 2010 | Jamshedpur, India
Bachelors of Design | National Institute of Fashion Technology
AUGUST 2011 – JUNE 2015 | Hyderabad, India
Master of Design | Emily Carr University of Art + Design
SEPTEMBER 2023 – MAY 2025 | Vancouver, BC
Education