JaimieGerst@gmail.

com

326 East 65th St. New York, NY

(860) 671-0977

Driven, enthusiastic, & collaborative designer, eager to build Brand, Design & Innovation strategy skills
Listener & observer, determined to analyze research to create meaningful experiences
Delivered clear client presentations at EK Success Brands, gaining experience in communication,

organization & story telling skills, utilizing story boarding techniques
Enhanced InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator & Solidworks skills through internship presentation design
Developed projects through design research by defining user problems, current trends, & market
opportunities, ultimately delivering creative solutions (dissertation & internship)

EDUCATION

Master of Arts with Distinction: Design Strategy & Innovation: Brunel University, London (Fall 2014)
Classes: Strategic Design Management, Brand Strategy, Design Research, Innovation Strategy & Design Futures
Bachelors of Industrial Design Industrial & Interaction Design: Syracuse University, NY (Spring 2013)
Summa cum Laude, Rene Crown Honors Graduate (GPA: 3.8)

EXPERIENCE

British Telecommunications Innovation Competition: 1st Place & Best Presentation (Spring 2014, London)
Collaborated a team of 5 to develop an App that empowers users to protect their personal data
Delivered trend research, customer & competitor analysis, & concept presentation to B.T. Employees
Saffron Brand Prize, Excellence in Strategic Design & Branding: Finalist (Spring 2014, London)
Demonstrated a contemporary & critical understanding of strategic branding & its relationship to Design
10th International Branding Week (Spring 2014, London)
Selected to present dissertation to professionals in the field
MA Design Strategy & Innovation Dissertation (Spring 2014- Fall 2014, London)
Analyzing U.S. quilting industry to define opportunities in new product development & customer
experience to add value by enhancing the emotional connection between customers & products
Researching existing organizations, designers & customers to create innovative design-driven
solutions that strategically use design thinking to facilitate product & brand success
Industrial Design Intern, EK Success Brands (Summer 2012, Clifton, NJ)
Designed crafting tools for both EK Tools & Martha Stewart Crafts (potential products for Fall 2013)
Delivered inspiration boards, ideation sketches, customer research, competitor analysis, Solidworks
renderings, manufacturable prototypes & developed client presentation & communication skills
Mobile Application Designer, SU Mobile: 1st place (Fall 2011, Syracuse, NY)
Collaborated with 5 designers & 4 developers to create a functioning App, learning teamwork skills
Coordinated group work & represented group to client requiring organization & time management
Wood Shop Monitor (Spring 2010- Spring 2011, Syracuse, NY)
Tutor: History of Modern Design/ History of Japanese Design (Fall 2009- Spring 2010, Syracuse, NY)
Extensive Restaurant Serving Experience (Spring 2006- Fall 2013, CT & Syracuse, NY)

CREATIVE SKILLS

Proficient:

Adobe: InDesign, Illustrator & Photoshop
Model Making: foam, wood, paper, cardboard & 3D print refining
Sketching, Solidworks, Design Research, laser cutting, story boarding,
woodworking, presentation design, ceramics & sewing

Knowledge of:
Adobe Flash, Keyshot, interviewing,
creative workshops, focus groups, Brand
& Design audits, furniture making, jewelry
& metals, painting & print making

HONORS

Deans Prize: Innovation & Impact in Masters Dissertations (2014)

Brunel International Ambassador, Scholarship Recipient (2013)
RVD Idea Award Winner for thesis: start-up company (2013)
Robert E. Kalvitis Award: professionalism (2013)
Mark & Pearle Clements Internship Award (2012)
Bert Rice Memorial Prize: Outstanding 4th Year (2012)
Represented US in UK Encompass Journey (2012)
Rene Crown Honors Program (2008- 2013)

Invited into the Honors Society of

Phi Kappa Phi (2011)
First Recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi
Abroad Scholarship (2011)
Beam Building: exceeded 2006
record (2010)
CT Community Foundation
Scholarship (2008- 2013)

ACTIVITIES

London Modern Quilt Guild Member (2014)

IDSA/ SU Co President (2012- 2013), Vice Chair (Fall 2011), Representative (Fall 2009- Spring 2011)
Imagine Syracuse: mentor for local students ages 9-13 (Spring 2010)
Student Council Representative: 2nd Year IID Majors (Fall 2009- Spring 2010)