My name is Manu Tendulkar and I have designed for as long as I can remember.

My father owned an offset printing press in Mumbai, India. While at school, I spent many a holidays at the press understanding CMYK process by working in pre-press and getting my hands dirty on the Heidelberg. My method of learning by doing began here. 

I studied computer science and music at university and took a keen interest in software development. However my interactions with the advertising world that I was exposed to through my father’s business made a lasting impression. I then took up work as an intern at FCB and slowly worked my way to becoming the associate creative director at multiple agencies. When the opportunity came, I also followed my passion by assisting advertising film directors for commercials and documentaries.

I moved to NZ in 2008 to study a postgraduate programme in interactive design. At the same time, I also worked as a teaching assistant and a graphic design tutor. My first full-time contract was with Hobeca Engineering where I became a “jack of all trades” - tinkering in all aspects of web design. I taught myself HTML, CSS, and ultimately found a passion in creative interactive experiences in Flash. I delivered their first online catalogue that the organisation used until recently when the company changed hands.

By the end of my time at Hobeca, I had become a fully fledged UI designer & front-end developer. 

After Hobeca, I joined Unlimited Potential Real estate and grew to lead the production of high impact ad units across their numerous, high-traffic channels.

I learnt a lot during my five years there. I was given the opportunity to work on the rebranding project. I was conducting user research, producing wireframes, user testing websites & refining numerous interactive ad units while analysing campaign results, to improve our engagement for our clients.

It was here that I grew from being a sole in-house designer to be a Senior UX designer in the capacity of a studio manager leading a team of four.After Hobeca, I joined Unlimited Potential Real estate and grew to lead the production of high impact ad units across their numerous, high-traffic channels.

I learnt a lot during my five years there. I was given the opportunity to work on the rebranding project. I was conducting user research, producing wireframes, user testing websites & refining numerous interactive ad units while analysing campaign results, to improve our engagement for our clients.

It was here that I grew from being a sole in-house designer to be a Senior UX designer in the capacity of a studio manager leading a team of four.

In 2016 I joined Ricoh New Zealand as a Senior UX designer, keen to experience a new industry and also take up the challenge of growing experience design from “the ground up” within an organisation.

Three years later, I have worked extensively internally to champion design thinking practises & design sprints at Ricoh. I enjoy "leading from the front” and championing the customer, while also balancing with needs of business & stakeholders. 

While working on a side project that involved AR/VR experiences at Auckland Museum, one of my mentors offered me a contract to develop a course module for Yoobee School of Design. I accepted the challenge.