This case study explores how design research can improve public accessibility to Assam’s State Budget by addressing systemic, design, and cognitive barriers. Using ethnographic inquiry and design thinking, it focuses on understanding not just how to design, but for whom and why. Grounded in civic creativity and inspired by Sanders & Stappers’ framing of design for social innovation, the process embraces ambiguity, prioritizes stakeholder relevance, and treats legibility as a question of social meaning beyond the interface.

“Where is My Colour?” is a participatory design toolkit co-created with IT for Change to nurture negotiation skills and agency among adolescent girls in rural Karnataka, India. Developed through immersive fieldwork and iterative prototyping, it reframes real-life dilemmas into playful, role-based scenarios that spark collaboration, self-expression, and critical thinking. Designed for low-tech environments, the toolkit supports girls in rehearsing resistance, navigating social pressures, and reflecting on personal choices within a safe, facilitated space. Modular, culturally grounded, and scalable, it offers a feminist, design-led pathway to everyday empowerment.

This e-learning app is a design research initiative created to support A-MEP (Architecture, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) learners in acquiring practical BIM skills. Built through rapid iteration and informal inquiry, it responds to a shift from theory-heavy education to hands-on, digital learning. Designed in close collaboration with developers, the platform prioritizes ease of access, structured progression, and real-world relevance, empowering emerging professionals to upskill with confidence in a changing industry landscape.

I led the design research and strategy for The Drivers Cooperative (TDC), focusing on building a worker-owned, community-driven model in the ride-sharing industry. My work involved gathering insights into driver motivations and challenges, refining communication strategies, and enhancing the cooperative experience.

Mosaic Care is a speculative design project created as part of the Project Studio course at Parsons School of Design. The project explores the question: What might the elderly miss out on in the metaverse of the future? Our goal was to provoke discussion around the inequalities that could arise as the metaverse evolves, particularly for aging populations in China, Korea, and India.

I played a pivotal role in the research strategy, focusing on identifying the limitations of current participatory practices, particularly for individuals with invisible listening constraints. My responsibilities included leading qualitative research, facilitating co-creation sessions, and synthesizing insights into actionable strategies for fostering inclusive participation.