Philosophy
Life Design
Life design is where the Vision Development Method was first developed in my own life. I’ve always been a visionary. Ideas would come to me faster than I could write them all down. But executing those visions was a different story. While exploring personal growth, I became interested in learning how to turn my most meaningful ideas into a reality. Through extensive research and self-reflection, I began identifying ways to realize my visions. During this process, I noticed a pattern. By defining a desired future state first (Point B), then evaluating the current state (Point A), and designing systems to connect the two, a clear path came to be. Every objective began with the vision first, followed by an assessment of the current starting point to understand the knowledge and resources available, the obstacles present, and the actions required to bridge the gap. This observation became the foundation of the Vision Development Method. The method has since been applied across a wide range of my projects and pursuits, serving as a framework for transforming ideas into reality through structure and persistent execution.
Mesopotamian Fashion Design
This project began with a vision to create a modern fashion design inspired by the culture of ancient Mesopotamia, the homeland of the Assyrian people. During the externalization phase, I researched the history and apparel of the era, and explored how ancient design elements could be translated into a modern piece. Through this process I found the following. Mesopotamia was the cradle of civilization. It was one of the first places humans created cities and turned the chaos of the world into structure. When it came to apparel, both the feminine and masculine styles were regal and sacred. Women wore metallic adornment, gold accents, embroidered geometric motifs, and shoulder draping. Women of higher class specifically were known to wear the color blue, which signified their social status. Using my research I began defining the vision through sketches, material selections, and design notes that captured both the elegance of the ancient world and the simplicity of modern fashion. (Point B) I then evaluated the resources available, identified the materials and supplies required (Point A), and developed a plan to bring the concept to life. By organizing everything into a structured process, I then began to work on the final design. The finished ensemble demonstrates how the Vision Development Method can be applied to creative work, transforming historical inspiration into a tangible design.
Software Project
After working at a geotechnical engineering firm for a few years, I began to identify an inefficiency in our processes. Information was being collected by engineers and field technicians while out on the field, yet much of it still relied on handwritten notes that later needed to be manually entered into the company database. This created duplicate work and slowed our workflow. Hours of work was being spent taking handwritten notes and manually entering them into the computer. I began thinking of ways to design a more efficient system. Through the externalization phase, I wrote down our current field entry processes, researched the basics of software, and documented ideas for how the workflow could be improved. From there, I defined the desired future state: A mobile system that would allow employees to enter test data directly from the job site. (Point B) I then identified the current state (Point A) by understanding the limitations of the current process and the technical knowledge required of me to move the idea forward. During the design phase, I created a thorough plan. This plan included learning to code and building a simple web app just so I could see how software development worked. I then developed prototypes of how the frontend would look on the mobile application. I prepared a presentation and shared the concept with the other engineers. My father being the one who actually coded our database, we began to work on this project together. This project demonstrates how the Vision Development Method can be applied to an operational challenge, transforming a manual process into an efficient system.
Herbal Tea for Cognitive Performance
I once had a desire to create a simple and convenient way to support my cognitive performance using natural ingredients. I decided to design a recipe that could easily be incorporated into a daily routine. During the externalization phase, I explored ingredients known for their mood and focus support. I wrote down ingredient ideas and compared their benefits. From there, I defined the desired future state: a functional tea that could be easily incorporated into a daily routine. (Point B) I then evaluated the starting point (Point A) by identifying the ingredients I already had, what I needed, and where I would source it from. During the design phase, I selected ginger, nettle leaf, marshmallow root, rooibos, saffron, rhodiola, and rosemary. Each of these ingredients have a specific benefit in improving cognitive function. The final blend was created by transforming an idea into a functional product that is both easily accessible and enjoyable to consume.