Discovery

Ansys Discovery is one of the most meaningful projects of my career — not just because of the technology behind it, but because of the people, the collaboration, and the years of iteration that went into bringing it to life. Discovery is a simulation‑powered design tool that blends instant physics simulation, high‑fidelity analysis, and interactive geometry modeling into a modern, streamlined experience. I had the privilege of contributing to it from the very beginning, first as a developer and designer, and later as a manager guiding both disciplines.

From the earliest prototypes through the commercial release in 2020 — and across many releases that followed — I played a hybrid role that let me move fluidly between design and engineering. As a designer, I worked on everything from interaction patterns and UI layouts to visual design, cognitive walkthroughs, think‑aloud studies, and design strategy. My goal was always the same: create workflows that felt intuitive and approachable, even within the complexity of a 3D modeling and simulation environment. I spent a lot of time making sure our design work fit naturally into the Agile rhythm of the development teams, so that design wasn’t a separate step — it was part of how we built the product together.

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At the same time, resource constraints and skill gaps meant I often stepped in as a developer as well. I made significant contributions to the UI framework that powered Discovery, and I built features directly into the product. Sometimes I designed the features I developed; other times I partnered with other designers to bring their ideas to life. That blend of roles gave me a deep appreciation for how design and engineering shape each other, and it helped me build strong relationships across the team.