Recommendations 👍

Erica Levi

UX/UI DESIGNER - GUIDEWIRE SOFTWARE

“I'm thrilled to wholeheartedly recommend Saiyyamee for her impactful contributions at Guidewire Software. Her qualities stood out and significantly enriched our team and projects.

With a strong passion for learning, Saiyyamee displayed a remarkable eagerness to delve into the nuances of the insurance industry. Her proactive approach not only deepened her understanding but also provided valuable insights that informed our design decisions. As a collaborative team player, Saiyyamee brought positivity and support to our group dynamics. Her openness to sharing ideas and willingness to assist colleagues created a harmonious work environment that fostered creativity and teamwork.

A standout attribute was Saiyyamee's thoroughness in understanding assignments. Her dedication to grasping the underlying goals and user needs ensured her designs were both visually appealing and functionally effective. Beyond her professional skills, her consistently positive attitude was a driving force. Her optimism in the face of challenges boosted team morale and project momentum.

In summary, Saiyyamee made a lasting impression as a UX designer. Her insatiable curiosity, supportive nature, diligent approach to assignments, and uplifting demeanor make her a valuable asset. I'm confident she will excel in her future pursuits and continue making positive impacts.”

Clara Perez Irazabal

UX DESIGNER - ALLSCRIPTS

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT - GENERAL ASSEMBLY

“I had the pleasure of being Saiyyamee's IA through her journey at General Assembly User Experience Design Immersive. Taking on a full-time bootcamp is no easy task as it can take a toll both mentally and emotionally. Saiyyamee however, always came to our virtual space eager and ready to learn, being fully engaged and asking questions throughout the 12-weeks to further her knowledge in the space.

Saiyyamee is an incredible team player, always leading with a growth mindset and being a great collaborator. She tackles any challenge thrown her way with a great attitude and never fails to deliver and continue on. Any organization/team will be lucky to have her and I have no doubt that she will be an even better version of herself in her next endeavor. Best of luck, I know you will do great things!! ⚡️”

Zoë Gomer

INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER - PPI BEAUTY

IDSA- CHI -VICE CHAIR

“I’ve been assistant managing Saiyyamee at PPI Beauty and she has been a great asset to our team. She is excited to learn, she asks questions to better understand how tasks fit into the project at large, and she is always ready to help.

Coming from a background in design much like myself, Saiyyamee has quickly learned to pivot into a hybrid role inside our product development team. Some of her key tasks included: helping to build 2021 holiday assortments that work with costing goals while still providing the end consumer with great product offerings & creating and managing sales decks that get directly shared with our sales teams and buyers. She has brought a fresh set of eyes to our team to give us a new perspective.

Saiyyamee’s attention to detail, communication skills, & work ethic are visible in her day-to-day work here at PPI & she would be a great addition to any team.”

Giovanni Innella

VISITING ARTIST

SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

“I have known Saiyyamee since September 2019, when I started mentoring her for her Masters in Designed Objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and since then I have enjoyed witnessing her growth as a design graduate.

In my class, Saiyyamee has proved herself as a committed and reliable student, always meeting deadlines and delivering quality work, whether in a team or solo. When crafting her works, Saiyyamee is comfortable with analog and digital media, as well as presenting it in front of an audience and responding to criticisms appropriately. The last academic year was a particular one. When it became foreseeable that facilities wouldn’t have been accessible as they were, Saiyyamee speeded up her process, pushing herself to get things made. She then progressed in her own accommodation, finalizing the models and arranging a photo studio. Preparedness, commitment, and resilience are great qualities for a designer, and I can assure you that Saiyyamee possesses all three.

I am confident that Saiyyamee would positively contribute to the activities and community of your organization. I am also sure that such an experience would further contribute to her growth as a future designer and as a young citizen of our society.”

Laura Lamb

DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS LIFE

SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

“I am writing with enthusiasm to recommend Saiyyamee Surana. I have known Saiyyamee for the past two years through her Neiman Center Assistant position with our Campus Life office at the School of

the Art Institute Chicago (SAIC).

The Neiman Center Assistant position required Saiyyamee to interact with a variety of constituents in the campus community. The position served a variety of tasks to manage the center, including event management and logistics, merchandise sales, and a help desk for community questions. This position required her to have high-quality and positive interactions regularly with all members of the campus community. Saiyyamee worked alongside her peers to provide an open, welcoming, and collaborative environment to assist our community. She also had to regularly problem solve and think critically, if event plans were unclear or adjustments were needed.

As a graduate student, Saiyyamee demonstrated her ability to manage multiple tasks and projects. Working in a number of positions, along with taking full course loads, demonstrates her ability to manage her time effectively. It is no easy task to maintain those levels of the organization to manage so much, and I commend Saiyyamee for this ability.

Saiyyamee would be a welcome addition to any organization. Through her demonstrated ability to problem solve, maintain a positive attitude, and manage multiple projects, I have no doubt she will excel in her next professional position.”

B. Nickels

DESIGNER

ILLUMIVATION STUDIOS, LLC

“Saiyyamee was an intern with Illumivation Studios LLC, and primarily directed to me.

As an intern, Saiyyamee displayed a passion for mold making, designing around the interactions people would have with ceramic tableware she made using CNC'ed plaster molds. She would not compromise once she had decided on an object's final form. Rather, Saiyyamee would work to figure out a way to create each object according to her vision. She was willing to take risks and start from scratch if necessary. When presented with a problem, Saiyyamee worked to solve it quickly to stay on task, & was always prepared for the next step.”

Claire Feinberg

LECTURER

SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

“It is my pleasure to strongly recommend Saiyyamee Surana. She served as my teaching assistant for several months while I instructed a mandatory course for the Designed Object department at the School of Art Institute.

During our time together Saiyyamee was a thoughtful and perceptive teaching assistant. She utilized her own design experience to add valuable feedback in the classroom. I was consistently impressed with her technical proficiency and her eagerness to explore and understand new ways of seeing. She never missed a class and her reliability was an invaluable asset to me. The students benefited greatly from having Saiyyamee as their teaching assistant because she genuinely cared about their success in our course and was a patient advocate in their design process. 

Saiyyamee has been in close contact with me even after the teaching assistantship and I have mentored her on several design projects. She has a strong set of technical skills which allow her to convert her ideas into functional prototypes. She’s skilled in SolidWorks and worked with 3D printing and CNC milling. Beyond her technical skills, she is a joy to work with because of her positive attitude, consistent communication, and sincere curiosity.

Saiyyamee Surana is a committed team player who is receptive to feedback, intuitive about the needs of others, and relentless in her commitment to personal growth. She would be an asset in any organization. I recommend her highly.”