My name is Dhvani (Dh-v-uh-n-ee), which means sound in Sanskrit. I think about that a lot - the idea that good design, like good sound, should travel. It should reach the right people. And when it does, it should change something.

My journey started at Miami Ad School, where I learnt what it takes to crack big ideas that can change the world. Spoiler, it wasn’t caffeine or sleepless nights. It was all about identifying real human problems and then finding a simple design solution. This led me to my first on-ground project, “#BreakTheCloset” where I created a pop-up experience to help people from the LGBT community to literally break a physical closet so they could shatter the metaphorical one that they were forced to live in.

I was fortunate to join Ogilvy and learn how to crack big ideas for big brands. Here, I understood the power brands have and how they can be leveraged to create a huge human impact.

My quest to learn more about human-centered design led me to pursue an MA in Social Design at Maryland Institute of College of Art. I delved deep into design thinking, and the value of research and prototyping. My thesis was around a game prototype called ‘The Last Name Game’ – that highlighted how the patrilineal naming convention created gender inequity and how naming conventions should evolve.

Today, I work at Flexion Inc., where I put those human-centered design learnings into practice designing and modernizing federal government systems that affect millions of people; from public benefits and early childhood programs to legacy platforms dating back decades. The problems are more complex, the stakeholders are more varied, and the stakes are deeply real; but the principle is the same one I learned at Miami Ad School: find the human problem, then find the simple design solution.

Outside of my day-to-day work, I'm a founding member of Indian Creative Women, a platform with 3,000+ supporters partnering with Cannes Lions See It Be It, The One Club, and Kyoorius to advance women creatives in the industry. I've also led creative for Annadhan Welfare Foundation, supporting drives that have impacted thousands of lives.

Awards and Achievements

The Pitch FanzinePitch List 2022 - Championed as a Pitch Super Person (May 2022)
The Pitch Fanzine is a leader in the U.K. creative industry. This inclusive platform challenges inequality, discrimination, and the lack of diversity in the creative industry, while showcasing outstanding creative talent. Championed and promoted as 1 of 110 Super People in May 2022.

Social Design Thesis (2022)
Initiative to understand how last naming practices perpetuate gender inequity in the U.S. I conducted 20+ interviews and designed a game prototype to understand people’s perspectives on inequitable last naming practices and its evolution.

Invisible Creatives -Portfolio of the Month (July 2020)
An initiative that celebrates and helps surface the best invisible talent in the creative industry. My portfolio was in the spotlight in July 2020.

Cannes Glass LionShortlist (2019)
Campaign: Unilever Hamam Waterproof Saree

D&AD Shortlist, PR, Use of Events & Stunts (2019)
Campaign: Unilever Hamam Waterproof Saree

Clio Awards - Shortlist, innovation, product innovation (2019)
Campaign: Unilever Hamam Waterproof Saree

Kyoorius Creative Awards (2019)
Inbook winner, Branded Content - Others & Innovation in Direct Marketing Communications
Campaign: Unilever Hamam Waterproof Saree

Times Innovation Roadshow - Shortlist (2018)
The Innovation Roadshow is an initiative introduced by The Times Group in India to showcase the immense possibilities in print advertising across leading creative and media agencies. My partner and I were shortlisted for a project we submitted.

IMPACT’s 30 UNDER 30, India - Winner (2017)
Selected as 1 of Impact’s 30 under 30. It is an initiative to pick the 30 most talented individuals under the age of 30 in the Indian Creative, Media, and Digital Industry.

Graphis New Talent Annual (2016)
Category: Advertising Public Services: Gold
Student Campaign: Mini Cooper PSA - Don’t Text & Drive

SlapAamir.com & KissAamir.com (2015)
Launched two websites to spread the message love and non-violence. The websites got over 1.5Mn interactions, 1Mn+ unique visitors, 0.5Mn shares and thousands of social media mentions.

Break The Closet (2014)
Teamed up with a local NGO to organise an event for the LGBTQIA+ community. The event got mentions in various newspapers and publications.

dhvani39@gmail.com