"I am a South-Asian male, deeply connected to the culturally diverse tapestry of India, and currently savoring life in the vibrant city of Toronto."
Life has cast me in a multitude of roles – a devoted son, a protective brother, a loving husband, a nurturing father, and a steadfast friend. As the years have unfolded, I've also evolved into a mentor, generously imparting the wisdom I've gathered throughout my remarkable journey.
My journey finds its origins in the vibrant and multifaceted landscape of India, a realm where my design skills have been meticulously refined through close collaboration with individuals from all walks of life. It has been an extraordinary voyage.
My narrative commences in India, a land steeped in time-honored traditions and a rich cultural tapestry. It's here that I began weaving my expertise in design, crafting it through countless interactions with a diverse spectrum of individuals. The diverse languages and life experiences woven into India's fabric have significantly enriched my understanding of design.
As I've matured, my pursuit of design's intricacies has deepened, always propelled by the allure of the next creative challenge. Much like my heritage, my design philosophy weaves together an array of influences, deftly interlacing tradition with innovation.
Designing meaningful solutions for people begins with asking the right questions. My passion for building exceptional products is a direct extension of who I am and my "WHY". I thrive on breaking things down, digging into areas that need improvement, and working tirelessly to deliver simple solutions that meet real needs.
Although I still have a deep love for design, I've spent the last decade exploring my identity as a Design Leader. In that time, I've distilled three truths about Design:
1. Design Begins with Understanding Your Audience
Design revolves around understanding your audience. It sounds simple, but it's often overlooked. As Eric Ries states, "If we do not know who the customer is, we do not know what quality is." Quality is defined as "fitness for the intended use," meaning exceeding customer expectations. Without knowing our customers, their needs, and desires, achieving quality and value is elusive.
Key Questions:
2. Great Design Derives from Prudent Prioritization
Design brilliance emerges when we make informed decisions on behalf of our users. To cut through complexity, I ask my team to categorize elements into three groups. The power of the number three guides our assessments. Following this, I challenge them to prioritize use cases.
3. Embrace a Flexible Design Process
There's no one-size-fits-all design process. "Design thinking" is a guideline, not a rigid template. Over the years, design processes have evolved, from the 3-D process of 'Discover, Design, Deliver' at Frog to IDEO's triple-I process of 'Inspiration, Ideation, Implementation.' Currently en vogue is the Design Council's "Double Diamond," a four-step variation.
But what about Minimum Viable Products (MVPs)? I embrace them, as long as we're clear about the knowledge we aim to gain.
For me, it's about knowing when to employ specific tools or processes, understanding the trade-offs when skipping a process step, and balancing business growth with an exceptional product experience.
Service design, to me, is an art of seamlessly connecting people and processes. My expertise in this field is a product of unrelenting curiosity and unwavering commitment to crafting user-centric solutions that resonate across diverse industries and domains.
For me, behavior design is the art of seamlessly shaping human actions and choices. My expertise in this field stems from unwavering curiosity and a commitment to crafting solutions that encourage desired behaviors in diverse contexts and industries.
In the realm of user research, I've mastered the art of uncovering invaluable insights into human behavior and needs. My expertise is rooted in unrelenting curiosity and a commitment to shaping user-centric solutions that transcend industries and contexts.
Interaction design, for me, is the craft of orchestrating seamless user experiences. My expertise in this domain is driven by an unquenchable curiosity and a dedication to crafting intuitive, engaging solutions that transcend industry boundaries.
Facilitating design thinking sessions is about guiding creative problem-solving. My proficiency in this role stems from a deep curiosity and a dedication to nurturing innovation and collaborative thinking.
Visual design is more than aesthetics; it's about conveying meaning and emotion. My expertise lies in creating compelling visual narratives that resonate with audiences across various industries and contexts.
In Lean UX and Agile, I've honed the skill of streamlining user-centric product development. My proficiency is a result of a commitment to efficient, iterative processes that drive innovation in different industries.
Web development is the canvas for digital experiences. My expertise lies in crafting seamless, user-focused web solutions that transcend industry boundaries and adapt to evolving technologies.
Effective collaboration is at the heart of every successful project. My expertise in fostering collaboration is grounded in a dedication to harnessing collective creativity and expertise to achieve goals across diverse sectors.
Building disruptive teams is about assembling dynamic, forward-thinking units. My proficiency in this area stems from a deep commitment to creating teams that challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and thrive in various industry landscapes.
I am a Design Leader, Coach and Mentor. A designer by heart. If you think I can help unlocking the power of design for your organization, product, teams, fill up the form below to arrange for a 30 minute initial chemistry session.