A Service Designer and UX Researcher,
a Systemic Thinker, and a Curious Explorer.
About
Skills
Systemic Thinking Strategic Planning Co-Design Lo-Fi & Hi-Fi Prototyping Storytelling ActionResearch Iterative Service Design system Mapping Navigating Complexity Journey-Mapping Abstract Knowledge & Data Visualization Adobe Creative Suite
Qualities
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Curiosity for new learnings
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Reframing challenges into opportunities
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Drawing out learnings from mistakes and unexpected situations
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Empathy and perspective-shifting in problem-solving
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Diligence and persistence to try new approaches when faced with barriers
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Openness to share vulnerabilities in building trust with clients and colleagues
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Comfortability in the space of unknown unknowns
Major Projects& Experiences
Nov 2023, Present
BC Service Ministry of Health - Health Innovation Hub
Systemic Designer
My Contributions:
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Creating project plans, engagement plans and facilitating engagement sessions
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Designing processes and tools for facilitating engagement discussions
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Adjusting innovation tools such as user journey mapping, systems mapping, service blueprint, etc. based on project needs
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Refining branch plan through systemic change making perspective, identifying barriers to the branch plan and ideating solutions
July 2023, May 2023
BIPOC Foundation
Community Engagement Manager (Designer)
My Contributions:
● Strategic development and detailed execution of BIPOC Foundation's stories.
● Develop and implement community engagement plans based on the community's needs and the organization's goals.
● Developing Win-Win collaborations and partnerships among an extended network of the organization
● Agile project management, planning, and strategizing for all marketing projects of the programs, events, and other BF communications.
● Systemic analysis of BF, Problem finding, and providing potential solutions or strategies
Apr 2023, Present
ISM Arts & Culture
Designer, Contractor
Project-based collaboration includes:
● Consulting, advising, and mentoring
● Liaising with project stakeholders
● Leadership and advising for production pipeline and project management frameworks
● UX Research and design
● Documents or diagrams outlining the research framework to be used by prototyping designers
● Strategy design for special programs (e.g., non-profits, incubators, accelerators)
● Communication design, social media, copywriting
● Presentations and trainings
Mar 2022, Mar 2023
Circular Food Innovation Lab (CFIL)
Designer, Design researcher
CFIL was a project of the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC), Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and Vancouver-based food businesses and organizations. This project used processes and practices from systemic design and co-design to contribute to the improvement of circularity in Vancouver’s food systems.
My Contributions:
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Co-develop design process, tools, and techniques
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Conduct in-field learning, co-design, and rapid prototyping
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Co-lead generative and evaluative gatherings
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Document and communicate learnings and outcomes
Apr 2022, Present
Cultivating Reciprocity
Designer, Collaboration Facilitator
Garden members and I co-designed an organizational structure based on reciprocal interactions at Roots Union community garden to diminish competitiveness mindsets at ECU.
My Contributions:
• Designing collaboration-facilitating tools
• Designing service blueprints
• Internal and external verbal communication, Writing proposals
• Visual communication, graphic design
• Facilitating collaborative workshops, Coordinating events
Sep 2022 - Jan 2023
Design for Social Innovation & Sustainability (DESIS)
Design research assistant
I assisted with lab communications and needs as Emily Carr University's DESIS Lab RA.
Feb 2020 - Feb 2021
Carno Studio
Junior Graphic Designer
My contributions as a full-time graphic designer at Carno Studio included:
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Content creation for social media
Clients: MAZMAZ, snack brand in Iran, Farmand, chocolate brand in Iran -
Branding and visual identity creation
Client: LadyPaad Gym -
Package design
Clients: Abidi Pharmaceutical, Danone -
Print Advertising design
Client: Danone -
Outdoor Advertising
Client: MAZMAZ
Apr 2019 - July 2019
Cipa & Took
Junior Graphic Designer
My contributions as a full-time graphic designer at CNT included:
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Content creation for social media for a number of businesses and brands
Client: PAPCO, stationary brand -
Branding and visual identity creation
Clients: Hoorsan Bistro, Fuel Station Gym -
Package design
Client: Dizin Dairy -
Print Advertising design
Client: PAPCO -
Notebook design
Client: PAPCO
2019 - 2021
Freelance
Graphic Designer
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Branding and visual identity projects
Collaborator: Platin
Client: Afba -
UI & UX design
Client: Art University of Tehran
Mar 2016 - Aug 2016
Arsan Theme Park
Assistant Project Manager, Designer
Arsan was a theme park design project in collaboration with ParseLand Recreational Center in Tehran, Iran. This project was a co-design of story-driven games and activities for social innovation that centered around collaboration, democratic decision-making, and inclusivity.
Teaching
Experience
Jan 2022 - April 2022
Emily Carr University
TA
Ecological Perspectives Course
Prof. Craig Badke
Sep 2020 - June 2021
Fine Arts School for Girls
Studio Instructor
Layout Design Course
Sep 2019 - June 2020
Charsoo Institute of Art
Teacher & Counsellor
Visual language course
Art University Entrance exam preparation
Education
Sep 2021 - May 2023
Emily Carr University of Art+Design
Master of Design (Interdisciplinary)
Jan 2015 - Jan 2019
Art University of Tehran
Bachelor of Communication Design
Honours
2022
DESIS Scholar
Scholar of the year
DESIS Lab at Emily Carr University
2019
Exceptional Talent
Top student award for Master’s program admission
straight without entrance exam Art University of Tehran
2019
Certificate of Top Final Projects
Art University of Tehran
Presented during the Research Week event
Publications
2023
ServDes 2023
Service Design Conference
Student Forum
Professional Summary
My dedication to social and environmental justice is deeply rooted in my identity as an Iranian woman. I have chosen systemic design for social and environmental innovation as my career path not only to use my expertise to leave a positive impact on global society but also as a personal liberating journey.
Though most design projects in this field relate to service design, I tend to avoid calling myself a service designer as my skillset is varied and not entirely limited to service design. They include design thinking, strategic planning and decision-making, divergent/convergent ideation, iterative and rapid prototyping, systems mapping, and translating abstract concepts into visuals and designs.
However, I believe my patience and persistence in attempting various approaches to push through the barriers, my interest in learning through making mistakes, and my openness to self-reflection and sharing vulnerabilities for fostering trust in collaborative work environments are my qualities and personal touch in this work.
Interests
I have a thirst for learning anything nature related. Also, I have a passion for human behavior and history; this includes psychology, sociology, art history, and political history. But I also like gardening, experimenting in the kitchen, and video games. You can call me a nerd; I don't mind it at all!