Microsoft Research Africa - Design Intern At Microsoft

About the job
The Microsoft Research Africa, Nairobi Lab is looking for Product Design Intern to join the lab for 4 months and work on Project Gecko. Project Gecko aims to support small holder farmers in Kenya and India with localized farming advisory through multi-modal and multi-lingual Generative AI to increase their yield and productivity. In this role, you will collaborate with experienced product designers, engineers, HCI and ML researchers, as well as other stakeholders to understand the social and communal practices in farming, the cultural and linguistic aspects, and how best to integrate Generative AI into the experiences of farmers given these facets.

Responsibilities
Take part in user research and usability testing to inform product development
Contribute to the planning and execution of co-design and ideation workshops
Translate research findings into concept maps, flows, and diagrams that inform design decisions
Design wireframes, mockups, and prototypes that showcase the product interaction
Communicate design ideas and findings to farmers, researchers, product managers, engineers and other key stakeholders
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure design solutions align with the needs of small-holder farmers
Contribute to cutting edge research on Generative AI in Africa

Qualifications
Currently pursuing a Masters in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, OR have practical design experience that demonstrates equivalent skills
Strong portfolio showcasing passion for design, keen eye for detail, and creative problem-solving skills
Excellent critical thinking and communication skills
Proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Miro, Sketch or similar
Proficiency in English and Kiswahili
Ability to work independently, and manage time effectively