Microsoft Research Africa - Design Intern

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.

• 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

• 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