We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dheeraj Varandani a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dheeraj, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Since I was a child, I’ve been fueled by the zeal to create—to weave narratives through art. It’s a drive that stems from the belief that creation knows no bounds; that there’s always an opportunity to craft something new, original, and wholly unique.
In my pursuit of becoming a digital artist, I ended up traveling across the planet from India to the United States, and worked on projects like the Netflix special: Elf on the Shelf. Yet, despite the glamour of the entertainment industry, I wanted to do something more substantial, something that would leave lasting positive impact. As such, I set out to contribute meaningfully to society with my skillset and desire to create. I joined iEXCEL program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where I help create digital, interactive educational modules for medical students and professionals. These interactive modules breathe life into complex medical concepts that could be very difficult to learn through the traditional methods. This not only makes medical education more accessible, but also captivating and engaging.
In this journey, I found my purpose in combining art, science, and technology to contribute in meaningful ways toward improving medical education and, ultimately, elevate patient safety. Through art and technology, I strive to help shape a better, healthier world.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an artist and a programmer, born and raised in India. I focus on contributing in meaningful ways to society by designing engaging educational modules for medical students and professionals, and deploying them on immersive technologies like VR/AR head-mounted displays and holographic theatre.
From the stroke of a brush to lines of code, I’ve found my calling in merging art, science, and technology. Every day poses a new and different challenge. Some days I spend my time creating color palettes for medical applications, and other days I find myself writing technical tools to help make the lives of other artists easier. Whether it is through my artistic endeavors, my programming expertise, or my commitment to the advancement of medical education, I consistently strive to create a positive impact on people’s lives.
Beyond my professional endeavors, you can often find me exploring new art forms, experimenting with different programming languages, and seeking inspiration from the world around me. I thrive on challenges and love pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most important quality that has allowed me to grow in the right direction is always looking at the bigger picture. It is all too easy to get busy in the day-to-day tasks, and not actively think about the why behind our actions. Stepping back every once in a while and looking at things from a broader perspective keeps me motivated and focused on the right things.
It is also important to know that the work that you do can be done with the highest level of excellence. Believing that no work is insignificant, and giving your 100% to every task at hand can create remarkable results, irrespective of the task’s magnitude, is what keeps me striving for excellence.
Lastly, I remind myself every day that nobody is perfect, and there is always something to improve upon, always a lesson waiting to be learned. I try to stay humble, open-minded, and be receptive to learn from the people around me. I have been lucky to find great mentors to guide me along the way; mentors who are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. With their guidance and wisdom, I remain grounded and poised for self-improvement.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
‘Start with Why’ by Simon Sinek has significantly strengthened my eagerness to contribute meaningfully to the society. The book is focused on inspiring leadership, and what it means to be a good leader. In this book, Sinek emphasizes on having a cause or a purpose that drives what you do. Sinek’s concept of the Golden Circle illustrates the idea that you should start with WHY you do what you do, then focus on HOW you do it, and finally WHAT it is that you do.
I came across this book early in my career, and it has been very impactful and helpful for me in shaping my career in a way where I am not overly focused on the role, but more on the impact that it creates and the purpose that it serves. With my education and strong foundation in both Fine Arts and Computer Science, I find immense fulfillment in blending these disciplines to create captivating and interactive experiences that improve lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dheerajv.com
- Instagram: @dheerajvarandani
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dheerart/
Image Credits
iEXCEL, University of Nebraska Medical Center
