Download Resume: Curtis_JAlexa_S07_Resume.pdf O B J E C T I V E To lead and support research and development initiatives, with focus on value-centered, sustainable concepts and to contribute to the development and tailoring of in-house design methods. E X P E R I E N C E Design Research Intern / WorkSpace Futures, Steelcase, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI 2006-2007 • Analyzed interactions of users with new technologies in a prototype workspace • Refined technology network functions and interface to reflect natural mapping • Interviewed and shadowed workers to understand their spacial needs • Formed tools and frameworks to streamline research processes • Distilled raw research to inspire designers in concept development Design Researcher / ThinkeringSpaces, Institute of Design, Chicago, IL 2006-2007 An experiment in exploratory learning funded by the MacArthur Foundation’s Digital Media, Learning & Education initiative • Developed a tool to generate modular personas, encouraging the consideration of different learning styles and sensory modalities during concept generation • Built, tested, and refined a series of behavioral prototypes • Co-authored final report for submission to the MacArthur Foundation Design Consultant / Dorothy Prentice Aromatherapy, Inc. Chantilly, VA 2004-2007 • Provided off-site packaging design, print communication design, presentation design, and exhibit design solutions • Generated custom amenity packaging solutions for luxury hotels worldwide Technical Advisor / Whitham, Curtis & Christofferson, P.C., Reston, VA 2003-2004 Intellectual Property Law • Interviewed inventors to understand full scope of their ideas • Wrote and prosecuted patent applications with attorney direction Design Consultant / Bancroft Wealth Management Group, Phoenix, AZ 2003 • Collaborated with a team of financial experts to improve presentations for a touring lecture series on wealth management • Reorganized and streamlined presentation aesthetic, content, and flow E D U C A T I O N Master of Design / Product Design & Research 2005-2007 Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL Institute of Design Bachelor of Science / Industrial Design 1999-2003 Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ College of Architecture and Environmental Design Barrett Honors College Summer Study / Industrial Design 2001 Rhode Island School of Design, Milan, Italy D I S T I N C T I O N S / H O N O R S First Prize / Green Design Category 2006 Project: “SHU: A Sustainable Laundry Alternative” 2006 NCKU Design Workshop & Competition National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan, Taiwan Outstanding Graduate in Design 2003 College of Architecture & Environmental Design Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Honors Thesis Paper / Barrett Honors College 2003 “Teaching with Toys: Gendered Correlations between Children’s Toy Interests and Social, Behavioral and Cognitive Learning Trends” Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ First Prize / Industrial Design 2003 Project: “Wild Animal Cookie Making System for Children” Design Excellence Exhibit & Competition Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ S K I L L S • Qualitative Inquiry • Data Analysis and Visualization • Information Structuring • Product Definition • Concept Sketching • Targeted Prototyping • Scenario Development • Brand-Concept Integration Copyright 2007. J. Alexa Curtis Resume_files/Curtis_JAlexa_S07_Resume.pdfshapeimage_1_link_0