Zoya Bawangaonwala

Growing up, I never really sat still. I was always on the lookout for a creative outlet or DIY to pour my time into. At home, I'd paint over the scratches on my desk and embroider over imperfections on my clothes. In school, this translated over to artsy elements incorporated into my assignments, accompanied by a high standard of quality I held myself to. Having practiced various forms of art all my life, I'm a strong believer in the power of good design to communicate ideas effectively through any medium.

This belief led me to completing a B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in Game Development at NC State University, along with a minor in Cognitive Science. Studying a combination of cognition, linguistics, and game design, I enjoyed discovering the many ways in which the arts and technology intersect. I also developed a deep-seated passion for building accessible and beautiful user experiences.

I feel that products and systems should be optimized for the people that interact with them - not the other way around. As an Accelerator at Atomic Object, I'm inspired by the care, passion, and creativity here, and I'm excited to contribute to that atmosphere while translating client needs into something real, functional, and long-lasting.

I'm also constantly learning new things and observing the world around me. In my free time, I'm out and about with my pocketbook and a pen, sketching my surroundings, making postcards, and daydreaming about where I'll travel next. I also enjoy swimming, reading historical fiction, learning languages, the Spiderverse movies, and listening to Ariana Grande on repeat.