Hello! It’s “knee-here” :)
Based in San Francisco, I’m a designer and artist focusing on the built environment. Currently I’m part of a small team designing and building a traditional Japanese timber-frame structure. Other dream projects are furniture lines, design hospitality (restaurants/bars), art installations, tiny homes, set design, and a bunch of other things I haven’t heard of yet. Let’s chat!
—
I’ve been a furniture designer, educator, user researcher, and product strategist. I got a Master’s from the Stanford Design Program where I focused on design and systems thinking, the built environment, and urbanism. Later, teaching at the Stanford d.school, I co-created award-winning curriculum on creative process and collaboration. Afterward, I worked in design innovation and user research.
Texas, then Singapore, then back to Texas, to Montana, to Texas again, Colorado, Chicago, Mexico, Madrid, Beijing, Indonesia, Malaysia, Austin, San Francisco! I’ve lived in many places, absorbing a world of influences. I've been lucky to pursue dreams like trekking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, studying Kung Fu in China and then flamenco music in Madrid, and riding my motorcycle across the Southwest. On my latest adventure, I traveled to study Japanese Woodworking from a true master, Sensei Takami Kawai. It’s a love for craft and a deep fascination in people, culture, and city streets that cultivate my creativity.
A few of my favorite things: cooking with friends, making cocktails and playlists, woodworking, furniture, architecture, riding my motorcycle, and searching for the best Al Pastor tacos. Thanks for visiting (and for reading all of this). Please feel free to reach out.
—
Experience
Furniture Designer and Woodworker (Japanese Carpentry)
San Francisco, 2021- Present
Design Research Manager
JUUL Labs
San Francisco, 2017-2020
Consultant, Design Research + Strategy
Various Companies
2017- Present
Fellow/ Lecturer
The d.school
Stanford University, 2015-2016
MS, Design
Stanford University, 2015
Design Researcher
IBM
Austin, 2014
Furniture and Architectural Elements Designer
Sarabi Studio
Austin, 2011-2013
Technical Marketing Representative
Caterpillar, Inc
Peoria, Chicago, Houston, 2006-2009
BS, Mech E
Colorado School of Mines, 2005