Design Thoughts

The human mind is a strangely powerful thing. While the world is busy being awed by the wonders of generative AI, we are lacking a true understanding that our brains, the OG natural intelligence to AI, have immense capabilities beyond our own human inventions. I woke up this morning with a terrible nightmare, and while I took time to control my emotions, the designer in me started observing the nitty-gritty of this generated world. As you can imagine, everything was believable. It had to be, because it was directly connected to my neural system. But the main part was how it didn't feel alien and had elements of my existing world, which increased my believability. I saw my daughter in a space that seemed fairly familiar. The twist of the fear-producing nightmare was when, from that real space, I was taken into a totally unknown realm. I felt lost, and I had lost my daughter as well, which added to my anxiety. While this is as much as I remember in detail, what is fascinating is the

As makers we tend to create things from the instance of momentous usage. What would the user do when he clicks this, or what would the user do when he is in this situation. Most of our design processes and methods have been traditionally focussed on design for that particular moment or period. However, the success of most designs is not just relevant to the aha moments of joy or failure. Human beings live a life, a period of continuous actions and reactions with multiple facets of objects and processes around them, hence the existence of our designs over a period of time needs to be treated as much seriously as we see the particular time period of use. While I write this I clearly do understand the limitations that drive us to design and develop things for specific moments. Firstly the challenge is to imagine a longer period of time for our users, the world is uncertain and may not always showcase results as we plan them to, we all know that systemically its not just one thing t

When you look at the animal kingdom, most of the times they try to use best of what they are. But as humans we are blessed with the notion of synthetic extensions. We tend to cover our natural selves to put up an identity that we desire to be...Be it at physical level by using perfumes, fancy clothes or even makeup or grooming. Or even at a psychological level many times we are not even true to our selves, or even in presence of certain audience or environments.  The question then is not about is it good or bad to have this facade over our existing selves, but its about our discomfort with our natural self. Why are we humans not comfortable being ourself always? Some may argue that the mask we put up on ourselves is just an extension as against a facade. But then even there whats . wrong with the plain jane us? Is it too boring or is it the drive to prove our identity distinct from other humans? Or perhaps human capability lies in projection of identities in differe

Human beings grow up in social spaces where the value of " goodness" is extremely hyper rated. This not only leads to humans wanting to conform to the good values around them, but also creates a massive fear of not being good. Ever since childhood we are subjugated to this process of discerning between what is good and what is bad. We are shown role models of ideal behavior and told to follow the paths of the ones that showcase overall good values. Apart from the positive values that this brings us to fit into the social structure of humankind. What really concerns me is the negative effects it brings in. Just to be fitting into a set structure and form of "goodness" we avoid questioning any thoughts beyond it. We also fail to recognize that the very "Goodness" that the world preaches us is relative in nature and changes from place to place and time to time. It then becomes a deep imperative to follow the good spirit just to avoid any ire or repulsio

As humans we all face various levels of struggles and challenges travelling through the journey called life. But there is a magical part in our lives which we often ignore or are not cognizant about. It starts as kids when we believe in the starry fairy tales or start role playing into worlds that exist in the corner of our minds. But it doesnt end there, however serious and "professional" the adultworld may look our illusions dont change. Infact we still have illusions as a prime motivator in our thoughts. We still love to be swept away in a world that is different from the real. More so when we are adults. We watch movies or plays just to imagine ourselves as the protagonist living the life that we imagine we could live. And even if you are a billionaire life doesnt stop there, we want to cut away from the steady routine reality and breakaway into short sweet bubbles of momentary comfort. Todays technology makes being in the illusive space even more easier a

Happiness is a critical emotion to human lives. It not only motivates the drive to stay alive but also brings in a healthy journey through its pains. But what triggers happiness is as important as the pleasure of enjoying it. Also what matters is when does a being realize he or she is happy? One such state that surely seems to be driving happiness is the feeling of achievement. In most of the cases whenever people achieve something in their lives or atleast they feel they have acheived something they feel happy.There is a sense of victory mixed with a deeper sense of self worth proving the need of existential self over others. Although a very motivational and powerful thing...sense of achievement like many other human feelings is a relative sense. If we were to ask ourselves when does one achieve something? and then...when does someone feel happy about the achievement? Most common achievement realizations can be around social acceptance the process of positive acceptance by th