In every wild moment and mindful choice, there is a story worth designing.
and a passionate wildlife photographer
Anil, known to many as Neelakandan, is a seasoned user experience (UX) design leader with over two decades of experience in building meaningful digital products, shaping UX teams, and mentoring design talent across industries. He currently serves as the Design Manager and Head of Studios for Data & AI at IBM, where he operates at the crossroads of complex enterprise systems and deeply human-centered experiences.
Before joining IBM, he held the position of Design Director at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where he led strategic design initiatives and scaled multidisciplinary teams across global platforms. His leadership journey has consistently centered on not only delivering impactful products but also empowering individuals to grow into confident, thoughtful designers and leaders.
Outside of the design world, Anil is an award-winning wildlife photographer. He often retreats into nature, camera in hand, drawn to the quiet rhythms of the wild. It is in these silent, patient moments, waiting for a glimpse of an elusive species or observing the nuanced behavior of a bird, that he finds the same balance between observation and action, a principle that equally applies to design and life.
Helping organisations build, scale, and mature their design functions.
Mentoring designers across all levels, from students to senior professionals
Speaking at conferences, universities, on the power of design, team building, and leadership
Anil has contributed to significant B2C and B2B projects for leading global brands, and has played a key role in establishing User Experience Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and setting up dedicated design studios for several of the following brands.
Anil maintains a focused presence on LinkedIn, where he welcomes professional connections and conversations.
He is also available for mentorship through his profile on ADPList.
For speaking engagements or collaborations, you may reach out to him directly via LinkedIn or by sending a message through the contact section of this page.
Recognition is never the destination, but a reflection of the path taken. These awards stand as milestones in my journey. Celebrating curiosity, persistence, and the pursuit of excellence in both design and photography. They fuel me to keep learning, teaching, and creating with admiration for the world around me.
