Work In Progress Night
An evening review of senior IxD students’ work in progress
Meet the students
Brenna Carlstrom
Hi, I’m Brenna. I am an interaction designer with a love for product design and service design. I want to design for people both on and off the screen. I like bringing pleasant digital experiences to the fashion and beauty world, but I also find great joy in tackling the user experience of physical spaces, inspired by my love for travel and the outdoors. In my spare time I enjoy art in its many other forms by attending music shows, visiting museums, and taking photos on my film camera.
Chioma Ojini
Greetings,
My name is Chioma, which is Nigerian for “the beautiful spirit of God.” I'm an Interaction Designer and musician based in Los Angeles, CA currently studying as a senior at Santa Monica College.
I am authentic, thoughtful, creative, reflective, and resilient. I investigate lived experiences and take advantage of design opportunities to make better products and services for users. I specialize in design research and design thinking and have experience in social media strategy and content development.
In my free time I sing, compose, and produce music.
Douglas Dean
Hi There! I’m Doug Dean. I am a UX Researcher & Designer who likes working within an interdisciplinary team to create empathetic and engaging user experiences for a variety of products and services. I have an industrial design background, over 20 years of visual and web design experience, and now I have leveled-up my skills to include UX research and testing methods. I really enjoy taking a deep dive into a project —both the “big picture” stuff and the tiny details. I savor great user stories and get energized by each new insight discovered. I love applying my experiences, creativity and problem-solving skills to designing meaningful solutions to life’s challenges.
In addition to my design work, I am a leader of the Celtic Arts Center, a non-profit cultural arts organization. In that role, I guide an all-volunteer crew in offering cultural arts workshops and seasonal events, as well as perform on stage in their Gaelic choir. I find joy and happiness in gardening, exploring wild places in nature, and connecting with interesting people.
Esteban Gonzalez
As a multidisciplinary designer, with over 4 years’ experience in the field of design, I am very passionate about what I do. I truly believe that UX is a spectrum that begins with UX research and ends with UI design, and I like to be involved at both ends of the spectrum. I have a unique skill set of user research, user interface design, usability testing, and team leadership. I can take a project team from ambiguity to clarity by setting a direction that combines user, stakeholder, and development goals.
When I’m not designing, I enjoy having fun through play. Fun for me can be anything from playing soccer to video games, or just jamming out on my keyboard.
Florence Lafite
Hello! I’m a strong multidisciplinary Interaction Designer with an international background.
I was born and raised in a surf town in France and have studied Sciences, Graphic Design, and Fashion Design. My curiosity and constant thirst for knowledge have led me to explore the world. I have lived and worked in various places across the planet from harvesting lavender, to Client Services Representative for the 2010 Olympic Games, to working for the New Zealand government as an IT Help Desk Assistant.
My diverse experiences help me ideate solutions with a broad perspective on problems. I have a special love for solving issues related to physical space, especially urban design. I also enjoy a good laugh, cooking, snowboarding, playing the guitar, and learning about metaphysics.
Hector Cruz
As an Interaction designer based in Los Angeles I have a deep interest in the motivations behind human behavior.
I enjoy the challenge of finding solutions for a digital or a community space, including working on cross-functional teams with the goal of solving multifaceted problems through the process of research. I am passionate about Product design and Interaction design as it relates to improving human experience.
I like creating functional art pieces in my spare time. I’m always in a journey of improvement of mind and health; I enjoy cycling, long distance running. I also enjoy spending time on the weekend at the local farmers market, shopping for ingredients to experiment cooking my favorite meals.
Jae Toyota
Hi There!
I’m a multidisciplinary designer creating engaging and emotional experiences by enriching the relationship between society and technology. My key areas of focus are marginalized populations, children, and sustainability. By applying my background in visual and performing arts I weave a compelling story to keep the best interests of my users at heart and ensure their voices are always heard.
The best way to describe me is as a relentless explorer, seeker of solutions, zen master, and intermittent world traveler. You can always catch me sharing a laugh with friends, and volunteering my time.
Jenny Lyckholm
I'm Jenny! I’m a UX, Interaction and Visual Designer with a love for design solutions based on user research. I’m originally from Sweden but now based in Los Angeles
I’m organized and have great attention to details, colors and simplicity, I’m passionate about UI design, visual design and design thinking and are always in search of solutions for the work I’m involved in.
I have a background in graphic design and fashion photography and I also get inspiration from architecture and the shapes and forms of nature. When I’m not designing I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle, I like to keep my body strong and healthy, by going to the gym, being outdoors and go hiking. I also love to cook and travel to explore new cultures.
Joseph Ivan Dela Rosa
Hey there, it’s Ivan! I’m an interaction designer, UX expert, problem solver, and explorer of continents. I am constantly looking for opportunities where I can make an impact by sharing my skills and knowledge through inclusive design. My experience working with corporations through school partnerships and freelance projects have molded me into a multidisciplinary designer. I also love learning and navigating the intricacies of both service design, as well as systems design. Aside from my affinity for tech and design, I have strong interests in music, caffeine, storytelling, and travel. Every experience is different and meaningful, and that's what really matters for everyone.
Kathleen Hwang
Hi there! I'm Kathleen. I am an Interaction designer based in Santa Monica, California with a background in psychology specializing in product and web design. As a disabilities advocate, my work reinforces the importance of accessibility through human-centered, inclusive design.
I am focused, reliable, and always up for a challenge. In my spare time, I enjoy the quiet and silence of nature, competing in hackathons, and solving social problems through disruption and kindness.
Laura Nielsen
Hi! I’m Laura Nielsen.
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
― Rob Siltanen
I’m a dream shaper, inventor, creative thinker, problem solver and advocate of disruptive design. I work with both physical and digital media, striving to create intuitive products and experiences which examine human behavior, exploit technology and challenge the status quo. As a designer, I often ask myself, what if things were different? What if people could change? When I couple these questions with tangible objects I’m given insight into possibilities for the future. I evolve complex problems into sustainable solutions because the future is now, I choose it to be.
Luke Buenaventura
Hello! My name is Luke. I am an artist and a UX designer. Along with my Human Centered Design toolkit that I have in my head, aka my design process, I also boast a fine arts background that tends to help when creativity is needed. I use this cross-pollination of the process to inform my work as a designer.
I like to design spaces and products that challenge conventional thought as well as transform experiences with emerging technology. Projects that I am proud of include a cannon turned mechanical bull, a magical map for a trip to the California Science Center, and a family of water saving products for the LA home.
When I’m not wearing my designer hat, you can find me bouldering your local rock wall, or tucked away behind my desk working on my next magnum opus.
Manny Hernandez
Hello! My name is Manny. I am a multidisciplinary designer and a military veteran.
I specialize in using design thinking methods to create digital and tangible experiences.
In an IxD program partnership with Hulu and Bird, I have acquired skills in identifying real problems and designing solutions that improve the user experience. Also, my internship at ADP as a UX designer has allowed me to create in-house products and use current UX processes with industry experts to gain real-world experience.
My goal after graduation is to become an entrepreneur and create a design studio that specializes in educating companies in using design thinking methodologies to empower employees in developing successful, innovative products.
Michael Schafer
Hi, my name is Michael Schafer. I’ve developed creative visual media, production design, a non-profit, and enterprise design. This has afforded me the opportunity to transition between the digital and physical world of design.
With my education in Interaction Design (B.S.), I have a thorough and human-centered approach to design. I am committed to further fulfilling the users’ needs through my current creative outputs.
From creating experiences for events scaling on the upwards of 200K attendees to developing a large media companies intranet used by 9,700 employees, my intention is to help develop business strategies. My goal is to create a career aimed towards health, accessibility, and sustainability.
Moredchai Hammer
Hello, I’m Mordechai. I’m a multidisciplinary designer.
My training is in Interaction Design, but I’m also super into motion graphics, writing, and all things related to the front-end.I’m an optimizer, and an optimist -- I strive to find ways solve problems more elegantly, and I believe there is always a way to optimize.
I’m passionate about crafting and curating systems to enable ingenuity and learning. I think that a well-defined system of rules (a game, you might even call it) can provide a wonderful avenue for learning -- about each other, about ourselves, and about the world.
Lately I’ve been balancing my free time between collecting local typography, playing ridiculous board games with friends, and the eternal search for the perfect minimalist wallet.
Nadina Cosic
Hi, I am Nadina Cosic.
I am an Interaction Designer based in Los Angeles. I have a background in Graphic Design and I am passionate about UX design, User research and coding. As a designer, I explore how to design to improve and enhance user experiences by applying UX design and user research to digital products and interactions.
In my free time, I love to play video games and play with my dog, Shep. I like to relax at home by binge watch “Stranger Things”, “Marvel’s Agents of Shield” and many more mystery, action and fantasy TV Shows on Netflix. I also enjoy vegan and paleo style baking and finding new recipes to try out and tweak.
Sarah Sathavipat
Hi there! I am Sarah Sathavipat. I’m a visual designer with a strong background in graphic design and illustration.
I love to find creative solutions through visual communication, design thinking, and research. With a passion for creating innovative products and enhancing user experiences; I have been able to contribute my skills to multiple institutions such as:
Santa Monica College, Snap Inc., Hulu, and Bird.
You can often find me either drawing late into the night, wandering through art galleries, or going to concerts spanning any number of musical genres.
Stephanie Hawken
Hi there,
My name is Stephanie and I am a user experience designer with an eye for product and business strategy. I believe good design has the power to transcend barriers and connect people in powerful ways. Inspired by the natural world and human ingenuity, my work balances functionality and practicality with vibrancy and joy. I am a keen collaborator, resilient individual, expert communicator, and unapologetic optimist who welcomes whatever challenge life sends my way.
You can find me tinkering on passion projects at organizations like Gorilla Conservation Coffee and Lionesses of Africa, wandering through parts unknown, drawing, or keeping tabs on the social entrepreneurship and business scene in Africa.
Zachary Lalich
Hello. I’m Zachary Lalich,
I am a multidisciplinary designer currently located in Los Angeles. I design to solve problems, spark emotions and create narratives. I have been able to contribute my skills and interest in sports to internships at National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and Fox Sports. Projects range from interface design, user research, usability testing, and service design.
When I’m not designing, I’m probably doing my best Pistol Pete impersonation on the basketball court, traveling or learning something new! I am a team player, always challenging myself and open to new and exciting opportunities.
