Hi, I'm Ariana, a New York City-based participatory artist, designer, and cultural strategist.
I blend my deep experience in social work, cultural organizing, and community-centered design to help creative teams and mission-driven organizations address complex systems challenges. My work revolves around designing thoughtful experiences and programs that grow and deepen human connection, equity, and people power.
In my current role as Design Director at global design and innovation firm IDEO, I work alongside leaders to build solutions aimed at increasing equity and belonging across the organization's systems and culture. In the past, I've spearheaded artist-driven storytelling campaigns and education programming at The International Center of Photography, The Center for Cultural Power, and Youth Speaks.
Outside of my work life, I am a passionate advocate for housing justice. I help run the New York City chapter of the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project, a research and digital media collective that chronicles displacement and creates tools to resist gentrification in solidarity with affected communities. My socially engaged art and research practice has led me to participate in residencies and fellowships with The Laundromat Project, Independent Curators International, Pioneer Works, Project Inkblot, and the New Museum's cultural incubator, NEW INC. My personal work builds upon interests in Black visual and spatial histories, as well as the connections between cultural production and radical social change.
I hold a Master's Degree in Social Work from UC Berkeley and a BA in Urban Studies and African & African-American Studies from Fordham University.
Image: Jess Tran