Namaste, (Hello)
As a Design Researcher and Strategist, I am passionate to work collaboratively with global organizations by implementing qualitative design research tools and methodologies for co-creating engaging products, services, and experiences.
By conducting extensive qualitative research, I love crafting insights that guide the design process and challenges my basic assumptions about a project. I have co-created with clients from industries like fashion, travel, transportation, healthcare, and fitness. Also, I always strive to extend my knowledge with socially focused organizations to achieve their desired goals and create socially equitable value.
My design career began as an Interior Architect from the Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, India. After a year of professional experience as an Interior Designer, I attended Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) University, where I was awarded the SCAD Honors Scholarship. I graduated with a dual Master of Arts in Industrial Design and Design Management. I was a member of the Design Research Club at SCAD. In collaboration with SCAD, I have worked with companies such as Fossil Group Inc. and Snap-on Tools in a leadership role to facilitate the design thinking process, create products and services.
I have expertise in qualitative research, design thinking, strategic design, storytelling, scenario planning, workshop design, facilitation, generating insights, ideas, and concepts, concept development, rapid prototyping, user testing, and systems thinking.
BIO
2019 - Ongoing
2017 - 2019
2017 - 2018
2017
2016
2016
2015
2013 - 2014
2010
Design Researcher and UX Designer
Self-Employed, IN
Design Researcher and Industrial Designer
Kamkomani Youth Project, IN and KE
Creative Strategist
C3 Creative Code and Content GmbH, DE
Design Researcher and Lead Facilitator
City of Savannah, US
Team Leader - Industrial Design
Fossil Group Inc., US
Collaboration - Industrial Design
SCAD Fashion Show, US
Design Researcher
BAHCO by Snap-On Tools, US
Interior Designer
IDO Design Solutions, IN
Interior Architecture Intern
Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, IN
DESIGN THINKING
Design Thinking combines creative and critical thinking to organize information, make decisions, improve situations and gain knowledge.
Implementing “Design Thinking” as a creative problem-solving process helps to discover the untapped opportunities and generate insights leading to the final design process through inclusive collaboration.
The process of discovering the unknown through D.E.S.I.G.N model encourages the development of smart solutions for designing better products, services and delivering meaningful experiences for the long term.
PROCESS
PRIMARY RESEARCH
Closely examining the crux of the problem by cultivating empathy and understanding from a user perspective.
SECONDARY RESEARCH
Discovering relevant qualitative data for the problem within the realms of the contextual study.
STRATEGY
Affinitizing secondary and primary research data to gather insights, develop frameworks and strategies.
ReITERATE & RETEST
The user-testing addresses all the possibilities and helps to reiterate and retest until a delightful
user experience is delivered.
USER TEST
Creating rapid prototypes of the top 5 conceptual ideas and testing them with the user to learn.
DEVELOP
Creating conceptual ideas for a product or a service and developing them as per the design criteria.
MY PASSION
is deeply embedded in research and strategy to draft a concrete How Might We question that
guides the design process.
1
D.E.S.I.G.N Model
This D.E.S.I.G.N Model has been implemented in all the projects
to effectively execute all the 6 steps of the process.
Redesigned but adapted from Bruce Claxton.
2
Tools and Methods
Here are a few tools and methods that can be used at
each step of the creative problem-solving process to
design products, services, and experiences.
D is for DISCOVER
Popular Media Scan
Trends Matrix
Offering-Activity-Culture Map
Competitor Analysis
Market Analysis and many more
N is for NURTURE
"What If" Question Test
Repetitive Iteration
Insight Report and Analysis
Resilience and Circular Economy
WHAT'S NEXT.?
G is for GO
Prototype Testing and User Feedback
Measure the performance and Evaluate
Build Sustainable Partnerships
Funding Strategy and Growth Framework
Sales Pitch and Sustainable Revenue Plan
S is for SOLIDIFY
Data Sorting and Analysis
Affinity and Insight Mapping
Empathy Map and User Persona
Value Frameworks and Strategies
Design Criteria and How Might We question
E is for EXAMINE
Research Plan
Observation Plan using AEIOU Framework
User Definition Matrix
User Journey Maps
In-person Interview and many more
I is for IMAGINE
Storytelling and Scenario Planning
Team Collaboration and Process Facilitation
Rapid Prototyping (Tangible and Intangible)
Business Model Canvas
Product and Service Design
3
EXPERTISE
A basic set of Research and Design skills used
to execute the Design Thinking process.
RESEARCH
DESIGN
Ethnographic Research
Design Thinking
Strategic Design
Storytelling
Scenario Planning
Workshop Design
Team Collaboration
Process Facilitation
Systems Thinking
Keynote
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe After Effects
Solid Works
Keyshot
Rapid Prototyping
WORK
RECENT & SELECTED
WATER
THINKING 1.0
In collaboration with Savannah Sustainability Department, USA.
How might Savannah Water Municipal Operations implement design thinking to foster collaboration with the local Savannah community to encourage water stewardship?
WATER
THINKING 2.0
In collaboration with Savannah Sustainability Department, USA.
How might Savannah Water Municipal Operations implement design thinking to foster collaboration with the local Savannah community to encourage water stewardship?
AQUA 33
In collaboration with Kamkomani Youth Project, Nairobi, Kenya.
How might we address the stressed water needs and create employment opportunities for residents of developing nations?
LEATHHER
INDIA
In collaboration with Leathher India, India.
Leathher India is a luxury leather products manufacturer in India. They want to tap into the international market now, expanding to Europe, the UK, and the USA.
TATVA
In collaboration with Shree Laxmi Traders, India.
TATVA is a brand offering premium quality rice, wheat, pulses, spices
and whole spices. They want to create an online presence, increase sales and add new services.
In collaboration with FitCity, USA.
How might we develop an innovative strategic process in order to shape FitCity’s branding and enrich the service experience with a limited budget?
