I am a new PhD student in the Design Group at the Open University. Every design research student has a unique journey, and I want to share mine in this blog.
My life has four main sides that all influence one another, leading me to where I am today.
Art
Let’s start with art, which has been part of me since childhood. Specifically, the first thing that captured my interest in life was painting. I loved drawing my dreams, adding colour to them, and sharing what was in my mind. Painting was my way of connecting my imagination to real life. I used this approach in other situations too. For example, I remember in kindergarten, when we played with Lego, I used to create colourful landscapes containing buildings.
My interest in creating new things made me curious about my surroundings. While commuting by car, I paid close attention to buildings, streets, furniture, and how they were placed and interacted. I wondered about the forms coming together, which colours complemented each other, and how things were structured. These observations, plus growing up in the historic city of Isfahan, the capital of ancient Iran, with several UNESCO World Heritage sites, deepened my involvement with and curiosity about art and architecture.
Education and Urban Studies
With this background, when I grew older, my only university choice was architecture and urban studies among a hundred possible options. So, I entered the world of urban studies at 18. Again, I was eager to learn more about cities, their structures, and harmonies. Fortunately, the first year of my bachelor’s degree covered design basics such as colour, texture, form, and other artistic principles. Each day, I became more engaged in my field, motivating me to read and practice simultaneously.
As a result, I graduated with validatory honours, paving the way for my master’s at the most reputable university in my country as a top graduate.
Moving to a new city for my master’s, I faced some emotional challenges and decided to work seriously on my wellbeing. This sparked my interest in psychology. I read extensively about psychology and different approaches to therapy.
Furthermore, starting my graduate studies, I engaged deeply with the philosophical roots of urban theories. I discovered that while the built environment is important for people’s satisfaction with urban life, the sense of place, belonging, and attachment play an undeniable role in their happiness. With the guidance of expert professors, I deepened my understanding of urban life, considering both abstract and concrete dimensions of cities in urban psychology.
Therefore, I conducted my master’s thesis on places of memory, where people can experience a genuine sense of belonging by connecting with their memories. This was also where the first ideas of my PhD project began to take shape.
Professional Experience
Although I was eager to continue my research, I realised that practical experience with urban projects was essential for effective research. So, I dedicated about seven years to working in a professional environment and teaching others what I had learned at university. This was a great decision that boosted my confidence, expanded my professional experience, and widened my network.
During all the aforementioned experiences of my life, I had to deal with much discrimination, inequality, and limitations as a girl in my country. For instance, when I worked as the chief urban designer at a company, my salary was about half that of a man. This is because they believed a man is a breadwinner and should earn more than a woman. These restrictions could not stop me on my path; rather, they motivated me to become a role model for other women in my society, encouraging them to ask for their rights.
Cooking and Baking
This is why I am part of the Open University’s Design group, where the fourth new side of me emerged in a new country: cooking and baking. I find cooking to be like meditation and a reflection of my creativity. Others often give positive feedback on the dishes and confectionery I prepare.
All in all, after these experiences, I am Mahsa—a combination of art, psychology, urbanology, and cooking. I enjoy hanging out, reading, painting, meditating, and doing yoga, though I often feel shy.
Finally, I am proud of being part of the OU Design group.
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