Avni Surana
About Avni Surana
Avni Surana is a Design Strategy Analyst at Pilot44, where she focuses on developing innovative products and services through design research and prototyping. With a background in fashion and design, she has held various roles in design and strategic partnerships across several organizations.
Current Role at Pilot44
Avni Surana serves as a Design Strategy Analyst at Pilot44, where she has been employed since 2022. In this role, she is a member of the Growth Innovation team, focusing on the development of new products, services, and experiences. Her work involves utilizing design research, ideation, and prototyping methodologies to create value-driven design solutions that integrate design, technology, and behavioral science.
Previous Experience in Design and Strategy
Prior to her current position, Avni Surana held various roles that contributed to her expertise in design and strategy. She worked as a Design Researcher at Pfizer for four months in 2021 and was involved in fundraising and strategic partnerships at Design Caucus for four months in 2020. Additionally, she gained experience as an Assistant Designer at Belk from 2019 to 2020 and completed internships at Belk and Badgley Mischka, where she focused on design and fashion.
Educational Background in Design
Avni Surana holds a Master of Science in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons School of Design - The New School. She also earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion/Apparel Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her educational background has equipped her with a strong foundation in design research, human-centered design, and systems thinking.
Internships and Early Career Development
Avni Surana began her career with internships that shaped her design skills. In 2017, she interned as a Fashion Design Intern at Badgley Mischka for three months. In 2018, she completed a two-month internship at Belk, followed by a two-month training program in Gerber Accumark PDS V10 3D at Savannah College of Art and Design. These experiences provided her with practical knowledge and insights into the fashion and design industries.