Hi, I’m Mugunthan Balakrishnan (pronounced *Moon-then*), but most people call me *Mugs*—short for the first three letters of my name.

My path into UX design has been shaped by over 25 years in digital design and technology. I started out as a graphic designer in 1998, moved into software development in the early 2000s, and founded my first tech business in 2007. Back then, the focus was all about building platforms that worked, but I kept noticing something was missing: the people using them were often overlooked.

That growing disconnect between business priorities and user needs led me to human-centred design. Over time, I found ways to bring both sides together—blending the logic of software with the empathy of design.

This timeline shares how that journey unfolded and how Mugs Studio came to focus on helping public sector and not-for-profit organisations create digital services that are inclusive, accessible, and practical for the people who need them most.