ROLE
Service Designer
Service Designer
UX Designer
UX Designer
Design Strategist
Design Strategist
SKILLS
Systems Design
Systems Design
Spatial Planning
Spatial Planning
Educational Innovation
Educational Innovation
TIMELINE
3 months
3 months
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA
TEAM
Eshaan Kothari
Eshaan Kothari
Julie Luan
Julie Luan
A Program at Risk Without a Clear Purpose
A Program at Risk Without a Clear Purpose
THE PROBLEM
Northrop Grumman’s Fab Labs were created to support employee-led innovation and hands-on exploration. Over time, they became underutilized, disconnected from core priorities, and lacked clear leadership support. Employees liked having access, but the value of the program wasn’t well defined.
We were brought in not to expand the Fab Labs, but to help justify their continued existence. Without a stronger purpose and clearer impact, they risked being cut entirely.
Northrop Grumman’s Fab Labs were created to support employee-led innovation and hands-on exploration. Over time, they became underutilized, disconnected from core priorities, and lacked clear leadership support. Employees liked having access, but the value of the program wasn’t well defined.
We were brought in not to expand the Fab Labs, but to help justify their continued existence. Without a stronger purpose and clearer impact, they risked being cut entirely.
Northrop Grumman’s Fab Labs were created to support employee-led innovation and hands-on exploration. Over time, they became underutilized, disconnected from core priorities, and lacked clear leadership support. Employees liked having access, but the value of the program wasn’t well defined.
We were brought in not to expand the Fab Labs, but to help justify their continued existence. Without a stronger purpose and clearer impact, they risked being cut entirely.
Connect Internal Resources to Strategic Business Goals
Connect Internal Resources to Strategic Business Goals
THE CHALLENGE
The real opportunity was to reposition the Fab Labs from being an isolated employee perk into something with visible strategic relevance. Our challenge was to build a case for the program that aligned with Northrop Grumman’s broader priorities, from talent development to brand positioning.
To survive, the Fab Labs needed to do more than serve employees. They needed to support how the company shows up in the world.
The real opportunity was to reposition the Fab Labs from being an isolated employee perk into something with visible strategic relevance. Our challenge was to build a case for the program that aligned with Northrop Grumman’s broader priorities, from talent development to brand positioning.
To survive, the Fab Labs needed to do more than serve employees. They needed to support how the company shows up in the world.
Brand Presence Is a Powerful Strategic Asset
Brand Presence Is a Powerful Strategic Asset
OUR INSIGHT
In our conversations with both the Fab Lab and branding teams, a deeper challenge became clear. The public still associates Northrop Grumman primarily with defense. But internally, the company is doing meaningful work in space, STEM, and innovation.
The Fab Labs had the potential to make that story visible. By creating a public-facing version of the program, we could show Northrop Grumman’s investment in the next generation, and in doing so, shift how people understand the company’s purpose.
This was the turning point. The Fab Labs didn’t just need to serve internal teams; they needed to become part of how the company communicates who it is and what it values.
In our conversations with both the Fab Lab and branding teams, a deeper challenge became clear. The public still associates Northrop Grumman primarily with defense. But internally, the company is doing meaningful work in space, STEM, and innovation.
The Fab Labs had the potential to make that story visible. By creating a public-facing version of the program, we could show Northrop Grumman’s investment in the next generation, and in doing so, shift how people understand the company’s purpose.
This was the turning point. The Fab Labs didn’t just need to serve internal teams; they needed to become part of how the company communicates who it is and what it values.
Students
Gain early access to emerging technologies and mentorship
Educators
Integrate NG-aligned curriculum into their classrooms
Employees
See their expertise as part of something bigger and more publicly meaningful
Designing for Impact Across Roles and Relationships
Designing for Impact Across Roles and Relationships
AUDIENCE DEFINITION
To make this work, we defined three strategic audiences. By mapping each audience to specific outcomes, we created a structure that made it easy to understand how the Fab Labs deliver value across the board.
To make this work, we defined three strategic audiences. By mapping each audience to specific outcomes, we created a structure that made it easy to understand how the Fab Labs deliver value across the board.
A Mobile Fab Lab That Extends the Program’s Reach and Purpose
A Mobile Fab Lab That Extends the Program’s Reach and Purpose
OUR SOLUTION
We proposed a mobile Fab Lab: a transportable, high-tech trailer designed to bring NG’s innovation culture to schools, communities, and public events.
This format allowed the company to demonstrate its commitment to education, inclusion, and long-term talent investment. It also served as a highly visible expression of the company’s identity beyond defense.
The mobile lab was designed to feel immersive and credible. It included:
• 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines
• Digital workstations for design, coding, and modeling
• A tented outdoor zone for collaborative activities and mentorship
• Portable seating and counter space to support flexible group engagement
This wasn’t just a new asset. It was a way to extend the life and value of the Fab Lab program by giving it public visibility and strategic relevance.
We proposed a mobile Fab Lab: a transportable, high-tech trailer designed to bring NG’s innovation culture to schools, communities, and public events.
This format allowed the company to demonstrate its commitment to education, inclusion, and long-term talent investment. It also served as a highly visible expression of the company’s identity beyond defense.
The mobile lab was designed to feel immersive and credible. It included:
• 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines
• Digital workstations for design, coding, and modeling
• A tented outdoor zone for collaborative activities and mentorship
• Portable seating and counter space to support flexible group engagement
This wasn’t just a new asset. It was a way to extend the life and value of the Fab Lab program by giving it public visibility and strategic relevance.
From Strategy to Spatial Design
From Strategy to Spatial Design
VISUAL DESIGN
I led the layout design of the mobile unit, focusing on space planning, flow, and functionality. The visuals supported both fabrication planning and stakeholder storytelling.
Deliverables included:
• Elevation diagrams showing the trailer from multiple angles
• Labeled floor plans detailing tools, storage, and circulation
• Outdoor activation layout showing seating and tent zones for scalable interaction
These assets made it clear that the concept was not just aspirational, but implementable.
I led the layout design of the mobile unit, focusing on space planning, flow, and functionality. The visuals supported both fabrication planning and stakeholder storytelling.
Deliverables included:
• Elevation diagrams showing the trailer from multiple angles
• Labeled floor plans detailing tools, storage, and circulation
• Outdoor activation layout showing seating and tent zones for scalable interaction
These assets made it clear that the concept was not just aspirational, but implementable.
Turning Vision into Implementation
Turning Vision into Implementation
FINAL DELIVERABLES
Our final package was built to help stakeholders champion the program internally and externally. It included:
• Executive Summary articulating the strategic case for the mobile Fab Lab
• Audience Strategy aligning users with measurable outcomes
• Technical Layouts that made the concept tangible and easy to execute
Together, these deliverables showed how a mobile Fab Lab could evolve a struggling internal initiative into a forward-facing platform that supports recruitment, outreach, and perception.
Our final package was built to help stakeholders champion the program internally and externally. It included:
• Executive Summary articulating the strategic case for the mobile Fab Lab
• Audience Strategy aligning users with measurable outcomes
• Technical Layouts that made the concept tangible and easy to execute
Together, these deliverables showed how a mobile Fab Lab could evolve a struggling internal initiative into a forward-facing platform that supports recruitment, outreach, and perception.
Designing with Constraints Made the Strategy Sharper
Designing with Constraints Made the Strategy Sharper
REFLECTION
We weren’t starting with momentum. This was a program on the edge of being sunset. That forced us to be focused and specific about value. Every decision had to tie back to a clear strategic benefit.
I learned how to align underleveraged programs with brand strategy, how to design space as a communication tool, and how to turn internal resources into outward-facing experiences that can shift perception.
We weren’t starting with momentum. This was a program on the edge of being sunset. That forced us to be focused and specific about value. Every decision had to tie back to a clear strategic benefit.
I learned how to align underleveraged programs with brand strategy, how to design space as a communication tool, and how to turn internal resources into outward-facing experiences that can shift perception.
