2020
Year in Review
It was the year of the pandemic, but it was also the year of opportunities.
From building exciting new products for the government, fintech and other sectors to expanding our own brand presence virtually and internationally.
From changing the way we work and from where we work (home/ hammock/ kitchen counter) to changing the way our clients see product design and turning them into Design Sprint fans.
Here’s a look back at the hurrahs and learnings, the pat on the backs...and the remote working.
Our cheers to 2020 - an unforgettable year!
Let’s Unwind
We kicked-off the new year moving to our new office...
But as the world changed, we changed too by going remote
We did our first ‘in-person’ Design Sprint of the year for Enchanting Travels...
...but then everyone shifted online and so did we, going fully remote for a Design Sprint for NITI Aayog and many more!
In person Design Sprints are honestly more fun! But our clients loved the online version too, remaining engaged and taking big decisions. Hence proved...
Sprints just work, even remotely!
Ronald Abraham
IDInsight
Ronald Abraham
IDInsight
BTW, if you’re still not convinced about Design Sprints, read Richa’s blog about it
Why Design Sprint works
Psst...this is how we found Richa in 2020
She was a user tester in a design sprint, and then Richa - ended up joining Parallel in 2020 on such an important role - that too remote!”
Robin Dhanwani
Founder, Parallel
She was a user tester in a design sprint, and then Richa - ended up joining Parallel in 2020 on such an important role - that too remote!”
Robin Dhanwani
Founder, Parallel
We helped 20 organizations make better products this year ...
And we teamed up with some
stellar organizations for Design Jams, Sprints and Workshops
With Facebook, we did two remote Design Jams helping think through new product journeys for the Bharat audience.
The best thing I learnt during the Facebook Design Jam is that every idea gets its spotlight. The sprint’s atmosphere is such that everyone feels comfortable to ask questions around a new idea brought in, with the goal to build upon it rather than scrutinising it.”
Parth Mehta
Product Designer, Parallel
The best thing I learnt during the Facebook Design Jam is that every idea gets its spotlight. The sprint’s atmosphere is such that everyone feels comfortable to ask questions around a new idea brought in, with the goal to build upon it rather than scrutinising it.”
Parth Mehta
Product Designer, Parallel
We went global becoming the go-to design partner for clients in 6 countries...
One of them actually flew down from London to be part of a Design Sprint with us!
Alexa-Maria Rathbone Barker
CEO & Co-Founder, TripAbrood
Alexa-Maria Rathbone Barker
CEO & Co-Founder, TripAbrood
We also improved the product experience for the next billion Indians by working on 5 key government projects!
This included the first ever government Design Sprint in India, redesigning DigiLocker app in just 10 days!
Amit Ranjan, the architect of DigiLocker tweeted about us and our work... 🙂
And here’s what Robin, our Founder, said about Digilocker and how to minimize failures in his first podcast interview!
3 of our clients won Awards this year!
Travolution Award, 2020
AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge
iOS App
Store trending
We also helped to prepare the govt team of KPMG and future management leaders from IIM-A with our workshops
More Happiness Highlights...
We helped rebuild Possible, a fitness app post COVID
We helped Reccy, an adventure startup
We planned our first Strategy Sprint for
Shell Petroleum, Brunei!
THE Jake Knapp, inventor of Design Sprints recommended Parallel as experts in Design Sprints in Asia to Shell Petroleum, Brunei
Nikhil Ranka
Design Manager, Parallel
THE Jake Knapp, inventor of Design Sprints recommended Parallel as experts in Design Sprints in Asia to Shell Petroleum, Brunei
Nikhil Ranka
Design Manager, Parallel
Robin turned a ‘YouTuber’ with our trending Design Sprint videos...
Congratulations Robin & Neha!
Robin and Neha pulled-off the perfect lockdown wedding... with masks on!
Our content took off!
Our content took off!
Our content took off!
Our content took off!
We learned a new thing or two at work...
Chaitanya Alluru
Senior Product Designer, Parallel
Jahnavi Vegad
Product Designer, Parallel
Jahnavi Vegad
Product Designer, Parallel
...and a new thing or two about each other after work, no matter where we were!
2021, here we come...
The next 500 million users that the world is looking up to are now getting smart-phones and access to 4G internet but the products don’t seem to be designed for them.
In 2021, I want to do my bit in changing this landscape by helping large and complex organizations innovate like startups, and building impactful & usable products for the Bharat audience.
Robin Dhanwani
There has never been an easier time to create a software product, but what matters most each passing day is how much value it is able to deliver to the end user. Be it change-makers and tinkerers in the Government office, a startup, or an age-old retailer, we are here to bring their ideas to light in the fastest way possible.
Richa Verma
That’s All Folks!