Hello, I use design thinking as a tool to serve people by understanding and solving complex problems. Through my practice I aim to tackle unjust systems surrounding us and pave the way for equitable solutions.
Please find my resume below and scroll further to find more about my practice and my design.
TANVI RANKA
Design Research and Strategy
Professional Experience
UIC Institute of Healthcare Delivery Design
Strategy Design Fellow | Chicago, United States | 2020
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Conceptualised the needs of OCHNA (Office of Community Health Needs Assessment) to create a collaboration platform for over 150 UI-CAN initiatives and internal stakeholders.
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Conducted interviews and facilitated remote activities with over 10 stakeholder across the UIC system
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Co-created tools to synthesise the research findings
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Envisioned and created a resource platform prototype to align the needs and values of different stakeholders
Rush Medical Institute
Design Research Fellow | Chicago, United States | 2020
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Client project for Center for Community Health Equity to envision equitable solutions in family medicine for Rush communities
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Led the graduate team through research for the project
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Conducted interviews and facilitated remote activities with different stakeholders in the care team
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Envisioned and developed the blueprint of the suggested service solution along with developing a platform prototype
UIC Institute of Healthcare Delivery Design
Design Strategy Intern | Chicago, United States | 2019
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Worked on a client project to create a medication education tool. Led research and synthesis with multiple stakeholders
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Developed an opportunity map for the COPD wellness committee at UI Health to improve COPD care during and post hospitalisation
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Co-Conducted workshop for the medical professionals at UI Health and facilitated a focus group consisting of COPD patients
Mindtree
Service and Strategy Designer | Bangalore, India | 2018
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Restructured and redesigned existing social innovation programs for the University of Commons
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Developed content, service flow, and marketing plans for youth engagement programs
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Developed materials and activities for children of ages 8-12
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Co-conducted prototyping workshops for children of ages 8-12
Chirmi Overseas
Product Designer | Jaipur, India | 2017
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Designed lifestyle products in wood and metal for a Denmark based company
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Worked with local artisans and woodworkers to cater to export demands
Dileep Industries Pvt. Ltd.
Product Design Intern | Jaipur, India | 2015
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Designed a range of ceramic jewelry for a local brand named ‘Anuva’ and developed packaging for the same
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Worked with various traditional materials like terracotta, ceramic, wood, and metal
Education
IIT Institute of Design
Master of Design
Chicago, Illinois | August 2018 - May 2020
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Teaching Assistant: IPRO Energy and Sustainability
Srishti Institute of Arts, Design and Technology
Bachelor of Industrial Arts and Design Practices
India, Bangalore | July 2013 - June 2017
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Collaborative project with Central Saint Martin, London which was later exhibited in Tate UK and Kochi Biennale
The Sustainable Design School
Exchange program in Industrial Design
Nice, France | February 2016 - June 2016
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TEDxCannes Volunteer
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Design Strategist on a client project for Trinseo (a global materials company)
Zurich University of the Arts
International Design Summer School
Zurich, Switzerland | 2016
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One of 10 representatives from India for IDSS’16
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Worked with refugees in Zurich to design a service for them to better integrate into the swiss community
Notable Projects
Mobile Lawyer - Providing Equitable Solutions for the Residents of Chicago | 2019
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Client project for the City of Chicago to develop a service to improve the parking ticket experience for the residents of the city. The driving idea for this service was to empower the low income residents in paying their parking tickets and avoiding the debt spiral
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The service idea was then presented to the City Clerk
COMET: COPD Medication Education Tool | 2019
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The project was about creating an in-patient medication education and symptom recognition tool for COPD patients for better hospital-to-home transition. Summer and fall project at UI health for the Respiratory Health Association
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Led a student team through research, synthesis and development of a medication education + symptom recognition tool for COPD patient care.
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RHA has taken the project ahead and are currently conducting an acceptability study
COGBE: Communication for Gyn. Brachytherapy | 2019
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A collaborative project with Uchicago Medicine to design communication tools for gynaecology brachytherapy. The three versions of discussion guide were designed to empower the patient and set expectations as they enter the treatment process
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Currently the guides have been requested for use by Yale Cancer Center, Ohio State and University of Illinois at Chicago
CORD: COPD Management Service | 2017
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A collaborative project with Philips Healthcare India to deliver accessible and affordable healthcare to the underserved population
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Designed a service for COPD patients to better manage their health and take preventative measures
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The idea was later pitched to the design team at Philips, Bangalore
Skills
Systems Design | Behavioural Design | Service Design | Strategy Design | Information Design | UI/UX Design
User Research | Qualitative and Quantitative Research | Protocol Development | Analysis and Synthesis | Framework Design | Stakeholder Interviews | Design and Conduct workshops | Service Blueprints | Wireframing | Sketching | Prototyping | Product Fabrication | Process Management
Adobe Creative Suite | Autodesk Fusion | Mural and Miro
Contact:
They ask me what is design?
In the world where design has become a commonplace verb, what am I to say?
Is design about making things beautiful? Sure yeah, why not!
Then why do you study it, they say?
My design, my practice is about serving you, I say.
Understanding your unspoken needs and that of every individual on the street.
My practice, my intention is about feeding you with love and care
I say, my design is like a mother’s recipe
That serves you, that is made especially for you
It’s something you crave for, but you yourself don’t know
From knowing your cravings to your low capacity of spice
A mother’s recipe captures it all
It still tastes delicious, It still feels like home and home is familiar-
Design too creates familiarity- it brings warmth-
It brings solutions to problems we never knew we had
So is there a method you study? They ask
A method, hmm sure, yeah why not!
You never ask the mother for her recipe and expect it to be the same
With every person’s touch, it changes for better or for worse
There’s no strict rule book, but there are ingredients that need to be kept in mind
In the end, the aroma of what we create, touches every part of the house
So sit down
Take your time
But indulge in your next meal with all your senses
Experience it with every action- from lifting the spoon to feeling it move on your body
and then ask me why design?
-Tanvi Ranka