Manyu Varma

Background

About Manyu Varma

Years ago, a single statement from a stranger forever altered my perception of how the world works. Amidst a deep conversation about LEGO, motor cars, and modern architecture, she quoted,'A system is a product of the interaction of its parts, not just the sum of its parts.' My perception towards design was transformed as I embraced the systems thinking philosophy, that each part of the design process, from research and product strategy to UI and graphic design, collectively contributes to creating value and solving problems. I began exploring the interconnections and leveraging the interdependencies between these disciplines, allowing me to find elegant solutions to complex problems. This shift in mindset propelled my career in design, and there has been no turning back since then. Fast forward to today, where I proudly lead the design system team at Gojek, a hyperlocal on-demand platform serving ~190 million users across Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam with 20+ products. In my role, I oversee the maintenance of over 200+ components and accessible token libraries, working closely with a talented UX Engineering team. Together, we have saved almost 185,600 hours for the design and engineering teams till date. I also conduct design reviews and design system workshops to educate my peers and new designers to ensure the highest standards of design excellence. As a leader, I am committed to developing a long-term vision for the team, setting yearly objectives and roadmaps, and driving accessibility initiatives to create an inclusive design system. I firmly believe in fostering collaboration and leveraging the power of collective expertise to push the boundaries of what is possible. Beyond my professional pursuits, I find fulfilment in indulging my passion for photography, a medium that goes beyond a mere hobby for me. Capturing and editing music videos for my wife (the very stranger mentioned in the first line :)) is another way I stay creatively engaged and find satisfaction.