dishita turakhia
Researcher | Computational Designer | Architect
Dishita is a Ph.D. student in the Human-Computer Interaction Engineering (HCIE) Group at Computer Science Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her current work focuses on adaptive tools for mastering various skills, such as motor skills, maker skills, and creative skills using personal fabrication.
Before starting her Ph.D. in the Human-Computer Interaction field at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (EECS), she received dual masters in EECS (MIT) and computational design (SMArchS, MIT) in addition to masters in design technology (EmTech, AA). Prior to returning to academia, she worked as an architect and computational designer for 5+ years in Mumbai, London, Singapore, and Bern. Her work is highly interdisciplinary drawing from fields of Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Architecture, and Urban Design.
email: dishita[at]mit.edu
office: 32 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Map)
LinkedIn | HCIE-Website | Google Scholar | TEDx Talk | CV(PDF) | Portfolio (PDF)
CURRENT RESEARCH (HCI)
Physical Tools that Adapt their Shape based on Learner's Performance Help in Motor-Skills Training
TEI 2021 (accepted)
PDF | Video | Project
Embedding Fabrication Events within Existing Digital Games to Facilitate Learning of Maker Skills
(Submitted)
PDF | Video | Project
PAST RESEARCH (COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN)
Thirteen Ways of Looking
Thirteen Ways of Looking
Thirteen Ways of Looking
Can creative thinking be computational? How do humans engage in creative thoughts? In this inquiry, I investigate what aspects of human intelligence enables us to be a creative society. I apply the computational framework of Shape Grammar developed by Prof. George Stiny at MIT to creative thinking for machines proposing to consider thou
Can creative thinking be computational? How do humans engage in creative thoughts? In this inquiry, I investigate what aspects of human intelligence enables us to be a creative society. I apply the computational framework of Shape Grammar developed by Prof. George Stiny at MIT to creative thinking for machines proposing to consider thoughts as shapes, ideas as spatial relations, and creative thinking as computing with shape grammar.
PDF | Project
sketchCAD
Thirteen Ways of Looking
Thirteen Ways of Looking
Architects spend 60% of their design time in drafting their conceptual sketches into CAD drawings. In this project, we use machine learning to automate the mundane parts of drafting for increased efficiency.
Minimalision
Thirteen Ways of Looking
Hand in Glove
Hand in Glove
Sketching with Machines
Hand in Glove
Using sensor based gloves to track glass blower artist's gestures during creation of an artifact
PDF | Project
Silent Game
Sketching with Machines
Sketching with Machines
Building computational models of social cognition and visual communication
PDF | Project
Sketching with Machines
Sketching with Machines
Sketching with Machines
Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques
PDF | Project
Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition
Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition
Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition
Studying the neuroscience of spatial cognition in architectural design
PDF | Project
Dynamic Tensegrity Structures
Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition
Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition
Using irregular Tensegrity habitable structures in slums of Mumbai
PDF | Project
Computational Creativity
Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition
Biomimetics - Hygromorphism
Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques
Project
Biomimetics - Hygromorphism
Biomimetics - Hygromorphism
Biomimetics - Hygromorphism
Biomimetic behavior material study of hygromorphism in pine-cones
Project
Urban design
Biomimetics - Hygromorphism
Urban design
Using climate analysis for the design of urban massing for city of Ningbo, China
Project
teaching
Courses
Workshops (Computational Design)
Workshops (Computational Design)
- 6.928 Leading Creative Teams, MIT |(Course Page)
- 6.810 Embedded Interactive Technology, MIT | (Course Page)
- Digital Design, KRVIA, Mumbai University
Workshops (Computational Design)
Workshops (Computational Design)
Workshops (Computational Design)
- Spatial Cognition in Design, Aalto University, Helsinki
- Para-centric I, Bhartiya Vidyapeeth University, Mumbai
- Para-centric II, Mumbai University, Mumbai
Workshops (Entrepreneurship)
Workshops (Computational Design)
Workshops (Entrepreneurship)
talks, RECOGNITION and outreach
TEDx + Podcasts
Outreach (Committees)
Conference Talks
Conference Talks
Outreach (Committees)
Conference Talks
Outreach (Committees)
Outreach (Committees)
Outreach (Committees)
- 2020, MIT Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- 2019, MIT Graduate Women in Course 6 (GW6)
- 2019, Graduate Women at MIT (GWAMIT)
- 2019, New England Grad Women in STEM and Engineering (NEGWISE)
MIT BLOGS
Away from MIT, with a slice of MIT
My experience with MISTI Global Startup Labs | Blog Link
I had just found my new home at MIT, but a home isn't home unless there is family. And in ...
Curioser and curiouser
Why being at MIT is like being Alice in Wonderland | Blog Link
On my first day of grad school. I drank a magic potion from the fire-hose! And there I went ...
The Infinite Corridor
How the design of MIT represents its philosophy | Blog Link
“How do I get to MIT?” I asked. It was a sunny afternoon with a crisp fall breeze. I was only ...
To MIT, with Love
On the value of pursuing your dreams | Blog Link
“… you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future…”