I'm Sumit Pandey—a design leader with a PhD in interaction and strategic design, originally from Mumbai and now based in Oslo. My work bridges the messy realities of systems, data, and human experience—often in the form of industrial AI tools, digital services, or design-led strategy.

I currently lead design for the Industrial Tools business area at Cognite, where I’m responsible for aligning product design, strategy, and go-to-market across our AI-powered maintenance and reliability products.During my time at Cognite, I’ve led the ground up redesign of products, helped define our Asset Performance Management (APM) suite, and shaped land-and-expand strategies in close collaboration with sales, GTM, and product teams.

From research to real-world systems

In 2019, I completed a PhD in design from the University of Oslo. My thesis, Designing Smart Things, explored how smart technologies aren’t just digital artefacts, but assemblages of systems, stakeholders, and strategies that evolve over time. You can read a short annotated summary here. 

Since then, I’ve applied that thinking across domains: from industrial AI to research tech, to fintech and public-sector infrastructure.

Past work

Earlier, I've worked as a design consultant at Halogen (2019-2021) and Globant (2011–2014) and as a design lead at the University Library, UiO on LibraryUX and Frilux (2015–2018), combining hands-on design with long-term strategy. Across roles, I’ve led cross-functional teams from insight to implementation — turning ambiguity into products, systems, and futures.

My practice spans teams at Equinor, Kongsberg Digital, Norstat, IBM, VMware, TGS, and D+H — spanning everything from product UX and co-design workshops to strategy frameworks.

Outside of work

When I’m not building things or sketching ideas, you’ll find me watching the latest creature feature or Bollywood masala flick, slow-cooking something warm, or debating whether Arrival is better than Contact.

I'm always up for creative collaborations — or conversations about design, food, infrastructure, or ancient aliens. Feel free to reach out at i.sumitpandey[at]gmail.com or connect on LinkedIn.

I’m an experienced interaction designer from Mumbai (India), currently based in Oslo (Norway). I’ve worked with and led cross-functional creative teams all through the conception and translation of an idea into a product or service and its development and delivery.

Having worked as a design consultant (2011-2014) and then a project lead in the LibraryUX and Frilux projects (2015-2018), I have a lot of experience with collaboratively designing solutions that can take the shape of digital products, services, or strategic design frameworks. Find out more about my professional work and selected case studies here.

In June 2019, I completed a PhD in the area of Interaction and Strategic Design from the University of Oslo. The title of my thesis was ‘Designing Smart Things’. It practically highlights how designers can complement a hands-on understanding of smart technologies with strategic design thinking. A list of my publications and a curated set of recent research projects can be seen here.

When I am not working, I can be found watching the latest creature feature/comic-book blockbuster/judging yet enjoying a Bollywood masala movie. Or cooking. Or both.

I am always up for creative collaborations or discussions about design, ancient aliens, food, or movies. I’m reachable over email at i.sumitpandey@gmail.com. 

I’m an experienced interaction designer from Mumbai (India), currently based in Oslo (Norway). I’ve worked with and led cross-functional creative teams all through the conception and translation of an idea into a product or service and its development and delivery.

Having worked as a design consultant (2011-2014) and then a project lead in the LibraryUX and Frilux projects (2015-2018), I have a lot of experience with collaboratively designing solutions that can take the shape of digital products, services, or strategic design frameworks. Find out more about my professional work and selected case studies here.

In June 2019, I completed a PhD in the area of Interaction and Strategic Design from the University of Oslo. The title of my thesis was ‘Designing Smart Things’. It practically highlights how designers can complement a hands-on understanding of smart technologies with strategic design thinking. A list of my publications and a curated set of recent research projects can be seen here.

When I am not working, I can be found watching the latest creature feature/comic-book blockbuster/judging yet enjoying a Bollywood masala movie. Or cooking. Or both.

I am always up for creative collaborations or discussions about design, ancient aliens, food, or movies. I’m reachable over email at i.sumitpandey@gmail.com.