Life & Work with Lakshmy Narayanan of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakshmy Narayanan

Hi Lakshmy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey as a creative began at a very young age. As a six-year-old, I was constantly drawn to the world of art. Charcoal, ink, and watercolor captivated me, and I wanted to paint the world in countless different ways. Creative imagination and genuine curiosity drove me to explore the complexities of the world through an artistic lens.
I grew up in a historically significant temple town in Kerala, South India. Simple activities like walking to the temple were deeply complex and multi-layered socio-emotional experiences. These experiences rooted me in the deep socio-cultural and historical significance of the city. I vividly remember noticing the various intricacies of the street during my daily walk, the various interactions and impressions, and translating these observations into my art. This blend of observation and expression was instrumental in identifying my interests as an artist and designer, influencing my perspectives on space, place, and mobility, and enabling me to pursue the fields of architecture and transportation.
My childhood curiosity and enthusiasm still resonate within me and motivate me to seek transformative change within the community. We are also at a point in time where there is a need for change – a drive to reimagine traditional narratives and conventional methodologies into larger collective approaches, especially in the context of transportation systems. I’m particularly interested in the art of storytelling. In my art, I have often found myself sketching human figures, trying to capture their stories through their behaviors and gestures. It’s important to learn about the lived experiences of individuals within their communities and how these various systems influence their lives. These personal stories add so much richness and depth, and I’m always eager to learn more. For me, the fusion of art and design is a powerful creative medium, a superpower in its own right. It serves as a vehicle for storytelling and a catalyst for change. I’m excited to be part of this larger dialogue and to contribute to meaningful change through my work.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When you take on new challenges in unfamiliar territory, it’s like starting from square one. As you embrace and learn from new experiences, you find yourself reshaping your perceptions and rebuilding parts of what you’ve previously established. It’s a lengthy process that involves unlearning and learning many things, thus broadening your perspectives. It’s about adapting to new environments, connecting with new faces, establishing fresh routines, and creating meaningful connections. Amidst moments that tested my confidence, I gradually learned to speak up, voice my opinions and thoughts, and sometimes take charge in collaborative environments.
Moving to the US marked a significant learning opportunity for me as an international student, presenting numerous challenges that demanded adept management of my time and finances, and a constant state of preparedness for my career path. One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been the incredible community I found through the Indian Student Association at ArtCenter College of Design. Serving as club president for two terms allowed me to support the team, organize cultural festivals, and bring a sense of home to the US, creating lasting friendships and memories. I am also deeply thankful for the mentorship and guidance I have received from my department faculty and alumni. Their support has been invaluable, helping me navigate the academic and professional landscape and ensuring that I continue to learn, grow, and succeed.
In my professional pursuits, I see challenges as constructive opportunities to refine my skills and elevate the quality of my work. Learning from peers and colleagues has been instrumental in adding to my expertise. This journey has been a lot about growth, learning, and community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a mobility designer and researcher with a background in architecture. I recently completed my MS in Transportation Systems and Design at ArtCenter College of Design with a focus on systems thinking and UX research & strategy. It was a great experience to be part of a program that actively engages you in critical thinking and deep qualitative research, which culminated in my master’s thesis on “Mobilizing Resilience- Expanding Resilience Thinking to Facilitate Alternate Resilient Futures”. This thesis explored the local, inherent perceptions of resilience and methodologies of practice found in the community of Boyle Heights as opposed to the dominant neoliberal ideologies of resilience that are institutionalized. The research culminated in the development of a co-design box with the community that allowed them to visualize and creatively represent multi-layered perceptions of resilience related to transportation within a deeply contextual and collective lens. The thesis also looked at the role of design and its larger implications in approaching complex issues like resiliency.
Currently, I’m working at LA Metro’s Office of Strategic Innovation (OSI) supporting the Mobility Wallet team and other Olympics-related work. We recently launched Phase II of the Mobility Wallet pilot, which falls under the City of LA’s Universal Basic Mobility initiatives. The Mobility Wallet is a prepaid debit card that is pre-loaded with money and can be used on a menu of shared transportation options. It also examines how the program significantly improves people’s access to opportunities, health, and overall well-being. The program also has a strong equity lens, as it targets low-income individuals and provides them with opportunities for better mobility experiences and coupled benefits.
I am also a recipient of the Healing Our Highways grant program, led by Smart Growth America’s Arts and Culture team with support from the Kresge Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant seeks local and creative initiatives in disadvantaged communities traditionally harmed by transportation systems. Representing the California team in collaboration with the Resilience Hub at the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory (BHAC), Boyle Heights, we aim to co-create a new language around mobility resilience informed by community knowledge, collective memory, and socio-cultural traditions, and to identify new methods and tools to facilitate this. We also aim to leverage the empowering nature of collective and participatory design approaches to address the complexities of resilience in communities. This project is a practical application of my thesis, and an incredible opportunity to work directly with the community to facilitate bottom-up design and planning efforts. I am thrilled to be working with a very enthusiastic team at BHAC and am excited to see where this work takes us.

Any big plans?
Metro’s OSI is an innovation team – with a spirit of exploration and a unique perspective on problem-solving. The team actively solicits ideas from the public and fosters collaboration and partnerships across multiple stakeholders. I’m eager to continue working with this team and dive into more interesting projects that push the boundaries of Metro’s efforts.
At the same time, my passion for community work remains a driving force. I am committed to facilitating more collaborative research and planning around local community issues, especially in the area of transportation. There’s something deeply rewarding about engaging with community members, hearing their stories, and working together to develop solutions that make a tangible difference in their lives.
Looking ahead, I’d like to start something of my own someday – a space dedicated to co-design facilitation, storytelling, and community engagement that celebrates co-creation and collective power.
This journey isn’t just about professional growth; it’s about being part of a story that inspires change. I am excited about the future and eager to embrace new opportunities that may come my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamlakshmynarayanan/
• Other: https://issuu.com/lakshmynarayanan/docs/portfolio_lakshmynarayanan_

Image Credits
Last Picture – Atlanta Convening(Smart Growth America-DLS)