For over two decades, Arvi Raquel-Santos has operated at the intersection where technology meets human experience, a space that continues to fascinate him. "I am most excited about the power of Design to bring technology and human experiences closer together," he says. "The rapid pace of technology in this space is expanding the power of design to shape human experiences in entirely new ways."

As a Sr. Staff UX Manager at Google, Arvi leads the App Foundations team for the Google Search app on iOS and Android, contributing directly to the company's mission of making the world's information universally accessible and useful. It's a role that sits at the heart of how millions of people interact with technology daily.

The San Francisco-based designer and educator brings a breadth of perspective shaped by work across the technology spectrum. His career has spanned startups and global tech giants including Meta, Fitbit, and Instacart. Throughout these varied contexts, Arvi has focused on crafting beautiful, delightful experiences while building design teams capable of tackling complex problems. His driving force remains consistent: designing products and services that connect people, inspire creativity, and empower transformative change.

The Human Element

Yet even as Arvi celebrates technology's expanding possibilities, he holds concerns about what the profession might lose in the process. "Over the years, we've seen technology propel the profession forward," he reflects. "While the industry has grown with each technological leap, I worry about the commoditization of Design. We risk losing the essential 'art and craft' that makes Design human and impactful."

It's a tension that speaks to his dual role as both practitioner and educator—someone invested not just in what design accomplishes today, but in how the discipline evolves for tomorrow.

Starting with the Right Question

When evaluating submissions for the 2026 Core77 Design Awards, Arvi will bring this same foundational thinking to the jury process. His advice to entrants cuts straight to the heart of design methodology: "Have a clear and crisp understanding of the core problem. Too often, Designers jump to crafting a solution without first asking themselves—'Are we solving the right problem?'"

It's a reminder that before aesthetics, before execution, before innovation, comes clarity about what truly needs to be solved.

The Professional Winner in the Apps & Platforms category from 2025 was the WE: Wellness Support for Non-Native Speaking Women project from QIMU Design.

If you have a forward-thinking idea that could spark a fire with our jurors, share it with us through the 2026 Core77 Design Awards.

Enter the C77DA before January 30 to lock in early bird pricing.