Meet Yashwanth Iragattapu of Toronto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yashwanth Iragattapu

Hi Yashwanth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Visakhapatnam, a small but vibrant coastal city in India. With both my parents working in education, there was always a strong emphasis on academics in our household. Their expectations and encouragement pushed me to aim high, and it paid off—I secured admission into the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), one of the toughest institutions to get into worldwide. Out of over a million exam-takers, I was in the top 0.2% who earned a spot.

At IIT Madras, I pursued a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, but it was during college that I found my true interests—artistic exploration of technology. I joined a club called Envisage, where we explored how technology could be used for artistic and entertainment purposes. This was my first experience working with tools like IoT, Augmented Reality, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and depth sensors like Kinect and Leap Motion. It was here that I realized technology could be more than functional—it could tell stories and create immersive experiences.

Fueled by this passion, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue a Master’s in Design and Technology at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Moving to NYC was both thrilling and daunting—I was stepping into the unknown, driven purely by my love for creativity and technology. The city’s diversity and energy became a constant source of inspiration, and my time at Parsons allowed me to deepen my understanding of design thinking and its application to emerging technologies.

During my master’s, I delved into areas like wearable technology, interaction design, new media art and creative coding. The program didn’t just teach me how to use technology—it encouraged me to look at it critically, understanding its impact on people and society.

After graduating, I joined my first startup during the pandemic, where I worked on an ambitious project: building the first-ever Augmented Reality VFX system for live-stream theater performances. Collaborating with playwrights, stage managers, and artists, I saw firsthand how technology could elevate creative expression.

From there, I joined an XR agency in Virginia, where I worked on a variety of AR and VR projects for big names like AT&T, Warner Bros, the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls, and Imagine Dragons. Each project taught me more about how immersive technologies can transform industries and engage audiences in unique ways.

I’m currently a Design Technologist at Amazon, based in California, where I work with the Visual Shopping team. One of my key contributions has been helping to develop the “View in Your Room” feature—an innovative Augmented Reality tool that lets customers use their phone cameras to visualize products in their own spaces. This feature not only enhances the shopping experience but also drives a $2 billion business globally for Amazon.

Looking back, it’s been an incredible journey—from experimenting with technology for fun in a college club to using it to solve real-world problems for millions of people. At its core, my work is about combining creativity with technology to make life a little more seamless and exciting.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to where I am today has been far from smooth. When I first came to the US, I arrived with just $100 in my pocket and a $60,000 debt to fund my education. I was 8,000 miles away from my family, stepping into the unknown with no idea of what the future held.

From the very beginning, I focused entirely on my studies, which meant I didn’t take up any part-time jobs. As a result, managing expenses was an uphill battle. I still remember times when I had just $1 in my bank account and would go to the local Gurudwara for free meals. The Sikh community there was incredibly kind and welcoming—they didn’t care who you were or where you came from, and their generosity helped me through some really tough days.

Graduating during the pandemic added another layer of difficulty. Companies weren’t hiring, and the niche roles I was seeking were even harder to come by. It was a time of uncertainty, where every door felt like it was closing.

Being an immigrant brought its own challenges. The looming uncertainty of visas and government policies meant I always had to be ready to pack my bags and leave at a moment’s notice. That stress became a reality in 2023 when my visa expired, forcing me to leave the US. Thankfully, my company showed incredible support by transferring me to Canada, allowing me to continue working remotely and stay on my career path.

These struggles have been difficult, but they’ve also taught me resilience and the importance of community and support. Each challenge has shaped who I am today and made me appreciate every step of the journey even more.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to think of myself as a storyteller who uses technology as my medium. As a Design Technologist at Amazon, I get to merge art and innovation every day. My main focus is the “View in Your Room” feature, an Augmented Reality (AR) tool that transforms the way people shop. Imagine being able to see a couch in your living room or a lamp on your bedside table before you even hit “Add to Cart.” It’s like giving people a crystal ball for their homes, helping them make confident choices while shaping a $2 billion global business.

What I love most about my work is that it’s about creating experiences, not just products. AR is such an exciting field because it’s so new—there aren’t many rules, which gives me the freedom to try new ideas and explore what’s possible. Every day feels like an opportunity to build something that hasn’t been done before.

I see myself as a bridge between creativity and technology, blending the artistic vision of designers with the technical precision of engineers. Prototyping is my craft—it’s where ideas come alive, transforming abstract concepts into tangible experiences that people can interact with and feel. It’s not just about “what works”; it’s about “what feels right.”

What sets me apart is my eye for detail and my ability to imagine the bigger picture. I don’t just focus on making something functional; I focus on making it delightful. Whether it’s crafting a realistic shadow in AR or designing an interface that feels intuitive, every element matters in creating something magical for the customer.

My journey to get here has been as creative as the work I do. I’ve designed AR effects for live theater, brought fictional worlds like Space Jam to life in retail stores, and even experimented with storytelling for brands like AT&T and Warner Bros. Each project has been a canvas, allowing me to push the boundaries of how technology can enhance human experiences.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come. From designing niche projects to creating tools that millions of people use, it’s been an amazing journey. For me, it’s not just about technology—it’s about making life a little easier and more enjoyable for people, one creative idea at a time.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always excited to collaborate with people who share a passion for blending creativity and technology. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredibly talented individuals from diverse artistic backgrounds—playwrights, storytellers, videographers, musicians, performance artists, industrial designers, architects, news writers, and game designers. These collaborations have shown me how powerful it can be when different perspectives come together to create something truly unique and impactful.

If you’re interested in working with me, whether it’s exploring ideas in AR, VR, AI, emerging technologies, or pushing the boundaries of design and storytelling, I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with me on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/yashwanth23). You can also visit my portfolio (yashwanthiragattapu.com) to learn more about my projects and areas of expertise.

I’m always open to collaborating with individuals from all kinds of creative disciplines. Whether you’re an artist, technologist, writer, or designer, let’s combine our skills and ideas to build something extraordinary together. The best work comes from diverse voices, and I’m excited to see where our collaboration could take us!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yashwanthiragattapu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yash_i23/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yashwanth23