January 21, 2020

Kiran Lakhian, 2016


HEY THERE, I'M KIRAN!


Kiran Lakhian ('16) played basketball as a freshman walk-on at Stanford in 2012-13, left the program for two years, then returned in 2015-16 her senior year. She was to play basketball  at SMU as a graduate transfer,  but had a season ending knee injury prior to the 1st game.


I recently graduated from SMU with a Master's in Design and Innovation. I chose to focus on Human-Centered Design (HCD) because it is a great problem-solving framework for navigating complex social-impact problems. By maintaining a focus on the human, HCD gets to the heart of underlying issues, promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration, and sparks innovative solutions through creative thinking. My goal is to one day combine my design skills with my passion for health equity and re-design the healthcare system.​
Aside from design, I am an aspiring avid hiker, mediocre yogi, extreme-weather enthusiast, and enjoy trying new activities! 


MY PROCESS

Human-Centered Design


UNDERSTAND

The HCD process I use begins by defining the question and building context. Initially, I ground myself in a preliminary phase of secondary research before going into the field for primary research. With the goal of understanding the user's deepest needs, empathy is a central component of this stage. Methods I've used include field immersion, analogous inspiration, in-depth interviews, card sort, artifact analysis, AEIOU observation, journey mapping, and surveys.


IDEATE

Based on the information collected, I pull themes and insights (through affinity diagramming) and identify opportunities for design. From here, I move to brainstorming possible solutions using a number of creative frameworks.


PROTOTYPE

Following ideation, things begin to come to life. The goal is to make quick, low-budget prototypes (ranging from tangible "things" to experiences) in order to test hypotheses as I narrow in on design solutions. This is an iterative process. My prototyping experience has involved power tools, laser cutter, Rhino 3D printing software, InDesign, Illustrator, and hosting experiences.

SHARE

After all is said and done, sharing the learnings is just as important as the process of learning itself. Effective communication involves understanding the audience, compelling storytelling, visual cues, and clear and organized sense-making.

PROJECTS

As part of my Master's of Arts in Design and Innovation (MADI) program, I took two semester-long, project-based “Studio” classes. Each semester, students were grouped and assigned a client whom the students work alongside-with the goal of applying Human-Centered Design to deliver design recommendations.

THE HAROLD SIMMONS PARK

The Fall 2018 MADI Studio client was the Trinity Park Conservancy — a non-profit with plans to build a large urban park in Dallas. Our team set out to answer the question: “How might we create opportunities for connection between West Dallas and the Harold Simmons Park?”
This problem was particularly "wicked" because the goal was to promote connection between a place that does not yet exist and a longstanding, historically-neglected community facing gentrification. 

THE FOREST THEATER

The Spring 2019 MADI Studio client was CitySquare, a non-profit with plans to rebuild the Forest Theater in South Dallas. Our team set out to answer the question: “How might we make the Forest Theater an asset to the community and to the city of Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex?”
This project was about more than just renovating a theater. The Forest Theater was once the heart of a bumping, thriving African American community. Now deemed a historic landmark, much sits at stake with hopes that this project serve as a beacon of hope for the surrounding community. 
Forest Theatre 1950s