Ever since Srushti was a child, she’s been fascinated by solving problems. In school, she was interested in math, but quite soon realised that numbers weren’t enough to satisfy her creative side. 

“In industrial design I found the sweet spot between exact science and creativity. I pursued my degree, but after a few years my interest in the human side of things inspired me to instead switch to service design. I took the chance and moved to Aalto in Finland to do my master’s there. This move turned out to be quite significant milestone for me as it taught me, in different ways, to find my place in the journey and the process and getting distant from the obsession of 'chasing a final destination.”

From problem-solving in Mumbai to service design in Aalto

Like most designers, Srushti is truly passionate about her craft. But – and I say this as someone who has interviewed quite a few creatives – she is above the curve. For Srushti design is not only a profession – it’s how she goes through life. 

“Design helps me live my life better. The older I get, the more I realise that the ways of thinking and working with design can be used for making better decisions in my own life. Design methods are great to handle uncertainty and change. When moving to new places, meeting new people, experiencing changes and uncertainty in different aspects of life, I find comfort in feeling assured that I can always rely back on my competencies as a designer. They help me find concrete ways of solving things that are not always measurable or tangible by exploring options and seeing what comes out of them. And, if necessary, change direction."

Designing to navigate life

Apart from design, writing is another passion of Srushti’s. And much like design methodology, she uses it both at work and in her personal life. She turns to writing as a way of listening inward and understanding herself better.

She says that she has realised that one of the best ways to understand people and world around her is to understand herself better. “I think it’s my reflective and observant side that gets its need fulfilled through writing. I process my thoughts and experiences through the pen – it helps me clear my mind and understand myself, but also others, better.” 

Writing her way to self-understanding

For Srushti, writing is a way of understanding herself better and clearing her thoughts.

When asked how she leverages these competencies at work and how they translate into tools for problem-solving, she explains:

“I believe my reflective and observational approach enables me to be both a facilitator and an enabler in my role as a designer. This mindset allows me to delve deeper into complex systems, understand people beyond surface-level interactions, and uncover the underlying motivations behind their actions.”

She continues: “For example, in a current project, we’re designing and implementing new ways of working within a large organisation. At the core of our approach is the ability to navigate uncertainty with curiosity—staying outcome-oriented while embracing the process. Rather than fixating on a perfect solution from the start, we model the value of iteration, learning by doing, and finding clarity through exploration rather than chasing certainty. As designers, we help employees navigate this transition by mapping their experience, identifying friction points, and co-creating support systems that ease the change."

She adds: ‘’I also find it valuable to take on the role of an observer—asking questions and creating space for others to share their perspectives. This helps surface diverse voices across the organisation and bring attention to things that might otherwise go unnoticed. In many ways, it’s a form of active listening, which often is overlooked when it comes to change initiatives. It’s easy to overlook, but when people feel seen and heard, they’re more open to change. And when they’re engaged in shaping it, they’re far more likely to embrace it.”

Facilitator and enabler as a pursuit

 ‘Masters in Service Design from Aalto University. 

 Trying new things! Spending time with and talking to with friends – especially in nature, writing and painting. And getting to understand myself better.

Meet Srushti – Exploring the journey of 'being' through design