1. Design
is not just pretty products,
it’s a Strategy
for change.
Lauren Magrisso
Portfolio 2011
2. My personal ethos is to create a more socially, environmentally,
and economically sustainable future by means of innovation,
collaboration, and empathy.
3. Table of Contents
Innovation: Degree in Design Strategy
Design Thinking: Campus Compost Initiative
Design Research: Understanding College Students
Adding Value: How I can be an asset to your team
4. Finding the apparel focus of my
fashion degree to be too narrow,
I wanted to study the interplay
between design and business.
So I asked myself, “if I could have
my dream degree, what would it
look like?” Here is my journey . . .
Design Strategy Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
5. Every moment outside of class, I followed
the discourse of the design
community
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Design Strategy
6. I realized that the notion of
design had developed.
Design Strategy Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
7. “
The world of design is on the cusp
of change. Design is rapidly moving
from posters and toasters to include
processes, systems and organizatons.
Design is now seen as a strategic
-Marty Neumeier, BusinessWeek
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Design Strategy
9. In the volatile world of
today, professionals are
expected to be hybrids.
I seek to be part designer,
part marketer, and part
social science researcher.
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Design Strategy
10. I compiled a list of
methods, skills, and
knowledge that I
would want to have
I submited
upon graduation, posal and
and characterized
them into six core
competencies.
Design Strategy Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
12. I selected courses to fulfill the competencies. Upon
completing the curriculum, I created a proposal for the
review committee. Everyone else wrote a paper. I made a
Gen Course Title
Course Number
A
W
S
Credits
Ed
SS, Ethnographic Methods
15ANTH504
I
4
DC
NA
Methods- Social Research
15SOC321
I
3
NA
Market Research
22MKTG573, O
O
4
574
NA
Buyer Behavior
22MKTG485
O
O
4
NA
Human Factors
15PSYC729
O
3
QR
Elementary Probability and 15STAT147
X
3
Statistics
TOTAL
21
I submitted my
proposal and waited..
Design Strategy Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
13. It was approved, and sited unanimously by the committee as the best program proposed in the
interdisciplinary studies program’s history.
With such positive feedback from industry and high demand from students, Vice-Provost of
Undergraduate Affairs is looking to turn the degree into a UC Forward Minor.
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Design Strategy
14. As President of Student’s for
Ecological Design, sought
to lead a multi-disciplinary
group of students to design
and implement an innovative
compost system for the
university campus.
Compost Initiative Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
15. To kick off our brainstorming charette, we
invited UC grounds crew to our meeting to
learn the history of composting at UC.
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Compost Initiative
16. From the background info, we became aware of what we didn’t know. I divided
the group up into teams to do more in-depth research:
-case studies and best practices
-ethnography of student waste removal practices
-composting product designs.
Compost Initiative Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
17. We synthesized our research, and visualized our concepts.
I invited key stakeholders to our “Compost Forum”
- UC Administration
- Office of Sustainability Staff
-A local Composting expert.
We presented our findings to the forum for review
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Compost Initiative
18. Upon refining our concepts, we defined our
strategy for implementation
Compost Initiative Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
19. Our deliverables were two fold:
A vermicomposting bin pilot project within DAAP
serving 100 students in five studios.
A compost feasibility report I presented to our
administration.
Due to our pilot project and $20,000 cost savings to the university
in five years, administration agreed to spread the program campus
wide in 2011-2012.
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Compost Initiative
20. School Supplies Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
28. How can I add
value to your
team?
Adding Value Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
29. I’m not afraid to take risks.
From moving to rural
India for three months to
creating my own degree,
I know that when one
combines thoughtful
consideration, a touch
of intuition, and extreme
dedication, taking the road
less traveled pays off.
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Adding Value
30. I play well with others.
Working side by side with brilliant
people inspires me to push
myself to be a teammate you
can count on.
Adding Value Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
31. Working side by side with brilliant
My natural curiosity and love for exploration help me to uncover others’
nascient desires and translate them into to push strategies.
people inspires me actionable
myself to be a teammate you
can count on.
I have a knack for
research.
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Adding Value
32. I am a translator.
From 5 studio experiences
with multi cultural,
generational, and
disciplinary teams, and travel
experiences to 5 continents
of the globe, I have learned
the languages of business
and engineering and can
communicate across bariers.
Adding Value Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result
33. I am a design advocate.
I have witnessed the
impact of design in
divergent settings. I
have come to realize
that human-centered
design transcends our
differences, and that
all can benefit from its
application.
Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Adding Value
