Arusha is currently a freshman at Stanford University (Class of 2027) with strong interests in design, mechanical engineering, and computer sciences. In High School, she specialised in mathematics, physics, design technology, and literature. Her passion for these areas came about in 6th grade, when she attended her first 'design technology' class. Since then, she has ventured into studying mechanical engineering, computer science, and design at Stanford University in pursuit of a bachelor's degree.
Campus Involvement
Design for America (DFA) Project Member
Stanford Women in Design (SWID) Professional Development Intern / Board Member
ASES VC3 Team Member
Cedro Social Committee Member
Stanford Women in Design (SWID) Professional Development Intern / Board Member
ASES VC3 Team Member
Cedro Social Committee Member
Creativity at the core. |
MADE IN DESIGN CLASSES @ STANFORD
FRESHTRACK
This is a walkthrough of my Figma project in which I created a mobile app UI for an idea I had of a software application called “freshtrack”. Refrigerators are difficult to manage. The most common issue is that we forget about certain items going bad, which leads to unwanted odors and, sometimes, stained fridge shelves. Sharing the refrigerator space with others, such as family members, a roommate, or friends, can also be another challenge that is difficult to overcome. Moreover, while following specific diets, we may need to pay close attention to the ingredients in our refrigerator. In doing so, it can be a struggle to weed your fingers through other refrigerator items only to find that what you grabbed spilled out in the process. My design solution is a refrigerator organizer software application called “freshtrack”. Main features include an overview on the refrigerator space––showcasing how much of each shelf is occupied––alongside a rundown on the health info of each item, an expiration date tracker, and an illustration of which items belong to which refrigerator owner. The home page gives users 3 options: to login, learn more about freshtrack, or to find contact information. This is made to replicate a standard software application. The login page allows users to input their username and password (if they are a new user), scroll through fridge models to pick their own, and scan their refrigerator items into the app. From there, the path follows the same as if the user first clicked that they were an existing user. An overview about the refrigerator can be accessed. The aspects featured include: fridge capacity, expiration schedule, recipes and ingredients, health & wellness, and fridge sharing. On the home page, if the user clicks “about freshtrack”, they can access a note describing the founding of the application, and if they click “contact”, they can access contact info and social media handles for freshtrack. This project received a grade of 98 out of 100.
FIGMA: CANDY SHOP
This is a video walkthrough of a Figma group project I was a part of. Our group decided to create an interactive game where the objective was to save an innocent candy shop owner that was being held hostage by an ‘evil tooth’. By delving deep into the functions of game design, our interface reflects classic features such as dramatic sound effects, action scenes, speech transitions, and button hovers. This project received a grade of 97 out of 100.
AUTOMATON
Using our knowledge of gears, cams, and mechanisms, my group and I created an automaton that replicated the scene of a football game. Using tools such as rotary cutters and exacto knives, we worked with foamcore. With a moving football, moving players, and other visual elements, we strived to use our design skills to bring the dynamic scene alive.
FORMAL COURSEWORK
PHONE SAFEAs a design technology student in High School, I created this project as part of my IGCSE coursework. To create this piece of work, I spent over a year in the design process and gained a thorough understanding of design thinking. These were the main aspects of the process that I documented: gaining info on my client, the design problem and situation, client needs/wants/requirements/
specifications, the design opportunities, the target market, researching other products in the market, collecting data, interviewing my client, researching design specifications, exploring design ideas, conducting a client interview upon ideas, developing shape/form/ material/finishing/joining methods/construction methods/UI, circuit selection, production planning, presentation drawings (Fusion 360), orthographic drawings (Fusion 360), cutting list, documenting the production process, making modifications, product realisation, testing and evaluation against design specification, and proposal for future developments. |
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SHOPPING BAG CARRIER
This is a project exploring design solutions to carrying shopping bags in a more effective manner.
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BICYCLE BAG HOLDERThis project features a final design inspired by the shopping bag carrier. This was created as part of my design technology IB coursework. The entire design process is documented in a similar manner to my Phone Safe project, but with extra features: scenario based on group personae, exploration of Ansoff Matrix, technical drawings, justification of manufacturing process, justification of testing strategies, development for commercial design (creating an injection mould), FEA testing, alongside scale and volume considerations.
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WALKIE TALKIE
This is a small piece of work that showcases a low-fidelity prototype I created using a foam cutter machine.
PROJECTS / INTERNSHIPS
WATER SENSOR
In the summer of 2022, I interned at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to create a design solution for the issue of increasing methane emissions in farmlands. After months of researching, modelling, and prototyping, I pitched my design of an ultrasonic water sensor to GIZ executives. After prototype testing in Nonthaburi, Thailand, my product was pitched to the Green Climate Fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a low cost solution for 250,000 farmers in South East Asia.
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Pitch to GIZ: This slideshow was used to present an overview of my research and design.
Farmer Guide: This is a document to be handed to farmers to assemble the water sensor.
Farmer Guide: This is a document to be handed to farmers to assemble the water sensor.
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POLYHYDROXYALKANOATE
In the summer of 2021, I was the sole intern at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). As part of a team—with Cornell professors and the Director of Agrifood at GIZ—I applied creative theories to the plastic market and researched Polyhydroxyalkanoate: a biodegradable plastic alternative using biomass waste inputs. I researched the present-day availability and efficacy of various biomass waste commodities such as palm oil empty fruit bunch (PEFB), sugarcane bagasse, coconut husk, wheat straw, and rice husk. Through conducting a thorough case study on the previous failures of PHA, I presented a previously unfound flaw in its launch strategy––inordinate spending on PHA’s research and development. From a careful inspection of the case, I presented a unique suggestion of introducing PHA, first in textiles, and then in packaging. The accompanying file contains a slideshow, showcasing an overview of my research.
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SELF COMPOSTING TOILETIn the same summer, I decided to create a self-composting toilet to combat the issue of mismanaged sewage and unaffordable fertiliser in the Steung Meanchey Landfills of Phnom Penh Cambodia. After months of research, creating CAD designs, iterations, and high-fidelity prototypes, I came up with a final design. To find local help, I reached out to numerous NGOs in Phnom Penh., and the founder of the I Love Cambodia Project—an educational charity in Phnom Penh—agreed to take me to a village in Steung Meanchey that was in desperate need of toilets. When I arrived at the village, local carpenters helped me build a toilet shed, housing three self-composting toilets with solar-powered lighting units. Compost bins replaced septic tanks, and fertiliser replaced sewage run-off. All seventy-one families of the village gathered around as I expressed my gratitude to them for putting trust in my idea. The toilets became the pride of the whole community!
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Open to Work
I am eager to and passionate about applying my design skills to the wider context of real-world problems. Please reach out to me about any such opportunities.
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