Speaking on “Impact the future” at IWD by GDSC TMU Japan, March 2024.
Google initiatives, Women Techmakers Ambassadors empower women in tech, and Google Developer Student Clubs provide a community for students to learn and grow.
Flying to Tokyo, Japan (virtually!)
At the recent WTM International Women’s Day event at Tokyo Metropolitan University, I explored the theme “Impact the Future” through the lens of design. The theme resonated deeply and my talk focused on — the two “u”s in future stand for: you and us. The future thrives on the interplay between You, the individual brimming with unique perspectives, and Us, the collective society we shape through our design work. I delve into how this very concept informs my design approach.
Designing for a Billion Stories
India, with its 1.4 billion people, is a land of a billion stories. This presents the challenge of the “Bharat Gap” — ensuring inclusivity and addressing the digital divide. By prioritizing user research, we can truly understand the needs and aspirations of each user group.
Listening to Diverse Voices
India boasts 22 official languages and countless dialects! That’s the reality in India. This diversity necessitates a design approach that is not just about translation — it’s about creating interfaces that resonate with specific cultural nuances and cater to varying levels of technological literacy.
The power of “Jugaad” Innovation
Indians are known for their “Jugaad” — the art of finding creative solutions with limited resources. It’s about finding a simple workaround, a solution that bends the rules, or using a resource in an unconventional way to solve a problem. This spirit of innovation perfectly embodies the principles of design thinking, to empower communities and tackle social challenges.
From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Solutions
India has a long history of living in harmony with its environment. Traditional water harvesting systems like stepwells demonstrate this resourcefulness. By combining the wisdom of traditional knowledge and integrate them into modern solutions, it can lead to innovative and sustainable solutions.
The Power of Storytelling in Design
Stories are more than just entertainment in India; they are a cornerstone of cultural identity. Understanding local stories allows us to design solutions that resonate on a deeper level, fostering empathy and potentially having a global impact.
What role will you play in designing that future?
This concept of “You and Us” transcends borders. As designers, can we leverage technology to empower individuals globally, while fostering a sense of shared responsibility for our collective future? Can we leverage design to bridge cultural divides and create solutions that address the challenges faced by humanity as a whole? How can we, as a global design community, ensure our creations bridge divides, celebrate diversity, and empower individuals to become active participants in impacting the future?
The answer lies in the hands (and minds) of each of us. Are we actively seeking out diverse perspectives in our design processes?
Shivangi: She is a Sr. UX designer, having a versatile experience of collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams in diverse work environments and domains. Her interest lies in the overlaps of design, technology, and people. She’s a STEM student, by education. Serious stuff aside, she loves anime and values the design principles in Japan, eagerly waiting to visit the country soon. Feel free to reach out to her to talk about anything!
