Unleashing Creativity, Empowering Change.
Hi! I'm Shreya and I like to connect the dots to create impact.
As a design practitioner specializing in service design, UX research, and strategic foresight, I'm committed to responsible innovation, inclusive futures, and social impact.
Whether it's empowering feminism, exploring emerging tech, or discussing dogs, I'm always open to connect and engage in idea exchange. Feel free to reach out!
Dive into some of my design adventures. Explore a selection of my projects below:
Systems thinking, Service Design, User Centered Design, Foresigh
Work-Life Balance and the Future of Work for Technology Workers
During the project, I was actively involved in a systemic analysis of work-life balance in the technology sector. As a member of the team, I utilized various tools and methodologies such as systems thinking, foresight, service design, and user-centered design to identify key leverage points for supporting employees' well-being. The project aimed to provide strategic guidance to employers and decision-makers in navigating the future of work. Our efforts resulted in an enhanced understanding of work-life balance, informed decision-making, and the recognition of our work at prestigious events.
Systems Thinking, Collaborative Foresight, Design Research
Unmasking Power: Alternative Futures for Empowering Our Digital Identities
Masters Research Project for MDes in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCAD University | 2022
Conducted horizon scanning, systems mapping and expert interviews to create multiple analyses, maps and models of digital services dependent on the online identity profiles of users to help reveal multiple opportunities for change. Developed and tested a serious game prototype through iterative, participatory design (gameplay testing workshops) and demonstrated promise in facilitating critical conversations about digital identities, enabling the discovery of new insights.
Behaviour change, UX, Patient Centered Care
Insights from Design Research and Design Strategy work as Zines
During my internship at Treemouse (Design Consultancy), I transformed insights from healthcare, behavior change, and UX projects into captivating zines. These visual narratives showcase my ability to translate complex research into engaging design while honing skills in storytelling and communication. Explore the culmination of my creative and analytical talents in these thoughtfully crafted zines:
Business and Design Thinking, User Centered Design, Human Factors
Project Aarohan
In "Project Aarohan," we collaborated with a local NGO to empower and educate female domestic workers in New Delhi, India, addressing their challenges and lack of basic needs. Using tools like literature review, Matrix of Needs, Personas, and system mapping, we identified human factors, ideated solutions, and supported sustainable livelihoods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our project aimed to make a positive impact by leveraging opportunities and addressing gaps in the lives of domestic workers.
Revolutionizing Gender Inclusivity in Ride-Sharing Onboarding
We aimed to bridge the gender gap in ride-sharing platforms such as Uber by redesigning onboarding processes. Our focus was on creating an inclusive journey, addressing barriers and social stigma that discourage women's participation.
Our comprehensive research journey involved interviews and ethnographic studies, enabling us to gain profound insights into women's perspectives.
We developed a unique solution, a board game - "Not Just Potholes — A Day in Life of a Woman Driver." This board game sparked dialogue within families and communities about women's experiences. Additionally, we explored a digital version (UX design for game app) for gradual adaptation to ride-sharing platforms.
Business Design, Innovation Strategy, Business and Design Thinking
Building Diverse and Sustainable Revenue Streams for the Jamaican Canadian Association
During our engagement with the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), our team utilized a combination of Business Design, Innovation Strategy, and Business and Design Thinking methodologies to address their challenges and priorities. With the JCA experiencing the separation into two entities and the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus was on creating sustainable revenue streams. Through extensive research, SWOT analysis, and the development of a hybrid business model, we aimed to provide strategic solutions to overcome funding constraints and address the maintenance and repairs of their aging building. This collaborative project allowed me to leverage my skills in strategic thinking, proposal development, and empathetic problem-solving while working closely with the client (JCA).
Strategic Foresight, Strategy Development
The Futures of SpaceTech
This project aimed to provide strategic foresight and research insights for Gaia, an organization in the space technology sector. It utilizes trend scanning and scenario building techniques to stress test organizational strategies. The analysis includes Gaia's competitive landscape and culminates in the wind tunnelling process to test strategies within different scenarios. The findings offer strategic options to help Gaia achieve its vision in an uncertain future.
Foresight, Service Design
Alternative Financial Ecosystems and Sustainable Alternatives for Big 5 Canadian Bank
This project addressed the challenge of the evolving digital financial landscape for traditional banks like Big 5 Canadian Bank. By exploring emerging currencies and sustainability concerns, the research aimed to determine the bank's role and strategies for thriving in this new landscape. Through trend analysis and scenario building, service scenarios were created to assist the client Big 5 Bank in adapting and delivering value in the changing financial industry.
Case study (available upon request).
Service Design, User Centered Design
Enhancing Long-Term Mental Resilience Through a Community-Based App for Informal Support
During the Jam4Good Toronto 2023 event, as part of Team Broken99, I collaborated with individuals who had experience with therapy. Our challenge was to enhance long-term mental resilience by helping individuals connect during moments of high stress. Using design thinking and service design principles, we developed a community-based app for informal support. This involved mapping the user journey, identifying pain points, and designing solutions that fostered connection and resilience. Through speed user interviews and focus groups, we gathered valuable insights to inform our design decisions. Working in an interdisciplinary team, I applied my skills in design thinking, user research, collaboration, problem solving, empathy, communication, and adaptability to create a meaningful and impactful solution.
(March 2023)
Horizon Scanning, Scan Club Workshops and Scan Club Output Insights Reports
As a member of the HRI Foresight Team at ESDC, I played a pivotal role in organizing and facilitating monthly "Scan Club" workshops. These workshops were dedicated to focused scanning, identifying weak signals, and analyzing their potential impact on the future.
In these sessions, I presented and discussed weak signals discovered through extensive environmental scans, which included articles, documentaries, and other sources. Weak signals, as we defined them, were indicators of potential emerging disruptions that could significantly impact the future.
My responsibilities included not only presenting these weak signals but also fostering engaging discussions with stakeholders from across ESDC. We encouraged questions, considerations, and collectively pushed these weak signals into the future, exploring the potential changes they could bring to the world if they became significant.
I also analyzed the insights gathered from these "Scan Club" sessions, which contributed to our organization's foresight efforts. As a result, I designed and wrote comprehensive output reports that further documented our findings and insights.
A Glimpse Ahead- Exploring the Future of the Public Workforce at ESDC
I collaborated with Policy Horizons Canada to lead impactful workshops on the implications of Remote Working, AI, and Extended Reality for ESDC's future work landscape. Engaging over 100 ESDC staff, our efforts culminated in a comprehensive report. This report distills insights from workshops, reaching 500+ stakeholders and guiding strategic planning across sectors.
Shaping frugal futures
This publication contains my work and explorations on unpacking the value of creating learning cultures to foster frugal innovation and civic sense in kids. This was my studio work (“The Future Is Frugal”) at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Sep-Oct 2018).
