An essay exploring the analogy between the design process and the quest for self-understanding
The entire design process is driven by a fundamental human desire to understand oneself and connect with the environment.
I am currently teaching thesis BFA students who are in the early stages of articulating the essence of design and its purpose, aiming to tap into their latent motivations. In exploring these ideas, I’ve come to understand that humans possess an intrinsic drive to comprehend themselves and establish meaningful connections with their surroundings—whether with objects, individuals, communities, or broader environments. This motivation is deeply rooted in biopsychosocial processes, where biological, psychological, and social factors interact to shape cognition and behavior.
In this framework, the self evolves dynamically through a continuous interplay of sensory input and behavioral output. These reciprocal exchanges—mediated by our sensory systems and shaped by our biological, cognitive, and social environments—form the foundation of self-awareness and social engagement. Insights from neuroscience and psychology highlight how such interactions contribute to the development of identity, purpose, and our understanding of the world.
The key message I want to impart is this: As designers, you bridge this gap. You have the unique ability to create mediums that facilitate communication between individuals and their surroundings. As you develop your thesis, focus on what genuinely resonates with you and explore how your work can serve as a conduit for these essential connections. This message encapsulates the core principles of design theories and the creative processes of designers and artists.
Understanding oneself is a complex, nonlinear, and multifaceted process. Our perceptions are shaped by the dynamic interplay of these individual layers shaped through limited senses, and it takes time to explore these self fragmented, distorted nuances to fully grasp what you want to create in your current state. I encourage you to embrace a procedural and organic mindset that reflects your evolving state of being.
The entire design process is driven by a fundamental human desire to understand oneself and connect with the environment.
I am currently teaching thesis BFA students who are in the early stages of articulating the essence of design and its purpose, aiming to tap into their latent motivations. In exploring these ideas, I’ve come to understand that humans possess an intrinsic drive to comprehend themselves and establish meaningful connections with their surroundings—whether with objects, individuals, communities, or broader environments. This motivation is deeply rooted in biopsychosocial processes, where biological, psychological, and social factors interact to shape cognition and behavior.
In this framework, the self evolves dynamically through a continuous interplay of sensory input and behavioral output. These reciprocal exchanges—mediated by our sensory systems and shaped by our biological, cognitive, and social environments—form the foundation of self-awareness and social engagement. Insights from neuroscience and psychology highlight how such interactions contribute to the development of identity, purpose, and our understanding of the world.
The key message I want to impart is this: As designers, you bridge this gap. You have the unique ability to create mediums that facilitate communication between individuals and their surroundings. As you develop your thesis, focus on what genuinely resonates with you and explore how your work can serve as a conduit for these essential connections. This message encapsulates the core principles of design theories and the creative processes of designers and artists.
Understanding oneself is a complex, nonlinear, and multifaceted process. Our perceptions are shaped by the dynamic interplay of these individual layers shaped through limited senses, and it takes time to explore these self fragmented, distorted nuances to fully grasp what you want to create in your current state. I encourage you to embrace a procedural and organic mindset that reflects your evolving state of being.
Interaction and Media Design
at Parsons The New School
Thesis, Core Environments, Visual Design
Host Dorkshops
2023 – Present
Thesis, Core Environments, Visual Design
Host Dorkshops
2023 – Present
Mentorships
XR/Spatial Design/Experiential Design
Most Recognized Mentor in UX and Design
MIT Reality Heck
Jan 2025
XR Design Challenge
Collaborators: Meta, IDEO, ShapesXR
Organizer: Immersive Insider
Dec 2024–Jan 2025
MIT Reality Heck
Jan 2025
XR Design Challenge
Collaborators: Meta, IDEO, ShapesXR
Organizer: Immersive Insider
Dec 2024–Jan 2025
STEM + Art Education
Ashcan Studio of Art
