I am interested in settings that will allow me to contribute the skills I have developed in product design and both digital and physical arts. I hope to continue to learn and improve while helping to create high-quality, distinctive products.
I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2013 with a degree in Design, Innovation, and Society. It’s a product design major that is sort of a combination of industrial design, engineering, marketing, social consciousness, and a bunch of other things mixed in here and there. As I pretty much expected going into the program, the high points of my time with each project involved designing and constructing the physical elements, whether early proof of concept prototypes, display models, or interactive posters used as part of a presentation.
Most of the work on this site has been for classes, but I try to involve myself with similar things in my free time as well. Paper is among my favorite materials to work with; I love its delicacy, capacity for detail, and adaptability to different working methods. That said, I definitely enjoy learning new materials and methods and discovering the problems and solutions that come with them. I’ve worked with wood, metal, plastic, clay, foam, sewing, knitting, and soldering. While I generally work with small tools, I’ve put in some time with machining as well. I try to experiment with new techniques and improve what I know with each project.
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Design //
Core curriculum (Product Design and Innovation Studio series) covered the complete process of product design, from identifying a need to concept development, user research, design iteration and prototyping, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing. Many projects required design and refinement of accessible, effective, and simple to integrate systems and infrastructure to support our concepts. Most work was done in small teams. In other classes, I gained more specific insight into social issues and industrial design movements.
Electronic Arts //
I have successfully completed courses in graphic design, programming, audio/video production, and video game design. Graphic design, audio/video, and game design classes focused on both creating original works and analyzing existing works. Zineth, a video game I contributed heavily to, has gone on to win awards including first place in the Student Showcase category at the 2013 Independent Games Festival.
Studio Arts //
Courses focused on drawing, animation, two dimensional design, sculpture, and art history. I have experience working with machine tools (lathe, drill press, vertical and horizontal mills, band, table, and miter saws).
Sales // Jay Street Video Games // November 2013 – March 2014 //
Maintained knowledge about older games and kept up-to-date on recent releases to be able to assist and converse with both seasoned collectors and customers that were unsure of what they wanted. Monitored order and neatness of existing product displays and designed new ones that placed focus on specific products we most wanted to sell without sacrificing organization.
Co-Director // RPI Eco Princess Festival // December 2013 //
Worked with a friend to complete her largest grad school project, a princess-themed ecological education event aimed at young children. My contributions to the event included designing challenges, branding, advertising, planning the layout, and costume construction.
Teacher’s Assistant // Experimental Game Design // August 2012 – December 2012 //
Assisted with class functions and helped provide feedback and guidance for student projects in progress. Suggestions for changes to the class structure to make the course more efficient, effective, and enjoyable were often implemented by the professor.
Usher // Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center // January 2011 – December 2012 //
Collaborated with small teams of other ushers to ensure successful productions and safe, enjoyable experiences for patrons.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute // Graduated May 2013
Major // Design, Innovation, and Society
Minors // Electronic Arts, Studio Arts