portfolio

Design is not just pretty products,

it’s a Strategy for change.

Lauren MagrissoPortfolio 2011

My personal ethos is to create a more socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable future by means of innovation, collaboration, and empathy.

Table of ContentsInnovation: 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

Design Strategy Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result

Finding the apparel focus of my fashion degreeto 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 . . .

Define |Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Design Strategy

Every moment outside of class, I followed the discourse of the design community

Design Strategy Define |Research | Ideate | Refine | Result

I realized that the notion of design had developed.

“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


Design Strategy Define |Research | Ideate| Refine | Result


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.

I compiled a list of methods, skills, and knowledge that I would want to have upon graduation, and characterized them into six core competencies.

Design Strategy Define |Research | Ideate| Refine | Result

I submited my pro-posal and waited..


core competencies

I submited my pro-posal and waited..

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 Ed

Course Title Course Number A W S Credits

SS, DC

Ethnographic Methods 15ANTH504 I 4

NA Methods- Social Research 15SOC321 I 3

NA Market Research 22MKTG573, 574

O O 4

NA Buyer Behavior 22MKTG485 O O 4

NA Human Factors 15PSYC729 O 3

QR Elementary Probability and Statistics

15STAT147 X 3

TOTAL 21

Design Strategy Define |Research | Ideate|Refine | Result

I submitted my proposal and waited..


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.

Compost Initiative Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result

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.

Define |Research | Ideate | Refine | Result Compost Initiative

To kick off our brainstorming charette, we invited UC grounds crew to our meeting to learn the history of composting at UC.


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.


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


Upon refining our concepts, we defined our strategy for implementation


Our deliverables were two fold:

A compost feasibility report I presented to our administration.

A vermicomposting bin pilot project within DAAP serving 100 students in five studios.

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.

School Supplies Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result

Define |Research | Ideate | Refine | Result School Supplies

School Supplies Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result

Define |Research | Ideate | Refine | Result School Supplies

School Supplies Define | Research |Ideate| Refine | Result

Define |Research | Ideate|Refine| Result School Supplies

School Supplies Define | Research |Ideate | Refine | Result

Define |Research |Ideate | Refine | Result School Supplies

How can I add value to your team?

Adding Value Define | Research | Ideate | Refine | Result

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

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.


Working side by side with brilliant people inspires me to push myself to be a teammate you can count on.


I have a knack for research.

My natural curiosity and love for exploration help me to uncover others’ nascient desires and translate them into actionable strategies.


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.

I am a translator.


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.

Thank [email protected]

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