Design for America, the nationwide network of teams using design to create local and social impact, has been part of UCLA Anderson since 2012, when Amanda Flegal (’13) and KC Fox (’13) started the local chapter. One of two MBA-only DFA chapters, the Anderson team works on projects pertaining to health education and environmental sustainability.
“In the past, the members have worked on a project related to innovating around prosthetic limbs and efforts to revitalize the L.A. River using design,” says outgoing DFA Co-President and Studio Lead Neel Bhattacharyya (’14). “Currently, teams are working on urban farming in L.A. and addressing challenges in STEM education.”
DFA’s mission is to teach “human-centered design” in an effort to tackle societal challenges. Next year, the Anderson group will host a series of design-thinking workshops led by various business professionals who have used or managed design-thinking processes in their organizations to create new products or brands.
“More and more these days, human-centered design and design-thinking is becoming an essential part of business. Companies like Apple and Nike use design principles to differentiate themselves and attract and ‘wow’ customers,” says outgoing DFA Co-President and Studio Lead Nikka Mathur (’14). “Product managers, marketers and corporate strategists all need to incorporate this into their routine to remain competitive and continue innovating.”
The DFA approach of using interdisciplinary design teams means all are welcome to come learn what makes a good product or process. “The great thing about DFA is you learn the design principles, and don't need prior experience in art, design or engineering,” says John Rhoads (’15), incoming DFA president. “We look for people with diverse backgrounds to form strong, multi-disciplinary teams. We welcome designers, but by no means is it a requirement!”
For more on UCLA Anderson’s DFA chapter, head to their homepage.
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