Not every designer trains for high-pressure moments by playing tiebreakers on a tennis court. But for Mehul Bhargava, the link between performance, intuition, and design leadership was forged long before he stepped into a studio.
A graduate of Pratt Institute and a rising voice in both industrial and digital design, Mehul’s work spans physical products and interactive platforms. But his creative process is deeply rooted in something many wouldn’t expect: the game of tennis.
Strategy Meets Intuition
Mehul grew up across nine cities on three continents. That constant movement shaped his approach to people, challenges, and eventually, design. But it was the tennis court that first taught him how to think strategically under pressure—to read patterns, pivot quickly, and stay mentally resilient.
As the captain and top singles player on Pratt’s NCAA tennis team, Mehul didn’t just train to win—he trained to adapt. “Every point is a problem to solve,” he says. “You study, you respond, and you stay ahead. That mindset never left me—it just shifted from the court to the screen.”
Discipline Builds Design Thinking
Long before design sprints and critique sessions, Mehul was learning about iteration and consistency through his daily training sessions. Tennis demanded self-awareness, structure, and constant calibration—skills that now underpin his approach to both industrial and UI/UX design.
“Tennis taught me patience and pattern recognition,” he explains. “Design isn’t about rushing toward a solution. It’s about observing, adjusting, and solving with care.”
Leading with Presence
Being a team captain wasn’t just about being the most competitive—it meant listening, mentoring, and stepping up when others needed direction. Those leadership instincts now guide Mehul in design collaboration, stakeholder communication, and cross-disciplinary teamwork.
In every project, he brings a grounded presence and calm decision-making style—one that was built through years of navigating high-stakes matches and long tournaments.
“There’s no hiding in a tennis match,” Mehul reflects. “You show up, win or lose. Design is the same. You’re exposed. You have to back your thinking and stay open to feedback.”
Competitive Instinct, Creative Edge
Designers often talk about getting into a flow state—a rhythm where ideas come easily and work feels intuitive. For Mehul, that flow is deeply familiar. “It’s like the moments in a match when you stop forcing it,” he says. “You feel the game. That’s when the best design happens too—it comes from instinct, not pressure.”
His design process balances discipline and emotion. In both tennis and design, he believes in finesse over force, precision over performance. Knowing when to assert and when to hold back is part of what defines his creative edge.
Crafting a Future with Intention
Today, Mehul continues to bridge disciplines—from physical prototyping to digital experience design. His tools may have changed, but the mindset remains the same: design like an athlete. Stay curious. Stay sharp. Stay responsive.
Whether he’s building a prototype by hand or refining a digital interface, Mehul brings the same energy that once carried him through tiebreakers—intentional, reflective, and ready for whatever comes next.
Because great design, like a great match, isn’t just about the win.
It’s about how you play the game.
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