Tessa Barnes

Industrial Designer

Results-oriented and highly motivated professional with a passion for design and a background in international e-commerce, teaching, and leadership. Skilled in user experience improvement, project management, and cross-functional collaboration. Demonstrated ability to create innovative solutions and deliver exceptional results. Committed to driving growth and success in dynamic environments.

Education

Google UX Design Certificate Coursera May 2023

Masters of Industrial Design (MID) North Carolina State University (NCSU) Raleigh, NC / August 2020 - May 2022

Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA), Industrial Design Art History & Marketing Minor Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL / August 2016 - May 2020

International Summer Marketing Program Grenoble École de Management Grenoble & Paris, France / May 2019 - June 2019

Programs & Skills

Prototyping: 3D printing, laser cutting, plaster casting, ceramic casting, paper models, foam models, paper wireframes

Design Software: SolidWorks, ProCreate, KeyShot, CLO3D, Adobe Suite, Sketchbook Pro, Figma

Research: Mind maps, user interviews, user journey maps, personas, surveys

Collaboration: Open to feedback and refinement, adaptable, reliable

Experience

E-Commerce Contributor Makestar Corp. Seoul, South Korea / May 2023 - Present

  • Collaborate with Makestar representatives and international teams to enhance website user experience.

  • Provide valuable feedback on marketing campaigns and contribute to the development of new event ideas.

  • Develop policies to improve accessibility for international users and buyers.

Teaching Assistant North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC / August 2020 - May 2022

  • Led a section of 30 students in a semester-long design thinking project across various problem spaces.

  • Facilitated design thinking exercises during section classes to foster creativity and problem-solving skills.

  • Acted as a mediator for student conflicts within group work.

  • Contributed to the re-accreditation process for NCSU's product design program.

  • Organized student work galleries showcasing projects from the past 6 years.

  • Assisted professors in developing design initiatives for students.

Marching Saluki’s Section Leader Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL / August 2019 - May 2020

  • Led and co-led the piccolo section, providing musical guidance and mentorship.

  • Led music sections during performances, ensuring seamless coordination and excellent execution.

  • Assisted new students in acclimating to university life.

  • Mediated conflicts between section members and other leaders.

  • Organized team-building events to foster a sense of camaraderie.

New Student Programs Orientation Leader Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL / December 2018 - August 2019

  • Guided new students through orientation, facilitating their transition into university life.

  • Led groups of 40+ students in team-building and icebreaker activities.

  • Provided support and assistance to low vision students during orientation.

Awards

NCSU Graduate Faculty Award for Academic Excellence: May 2022

Aluminum Extruder’s Council Design Award: Second Place (2018) - Received 2nd place and a $2,000 award for the Extension Prosthetic, an innovative device aiding individuals missing a hand in holding a trumpet.

Top 40 Entry of Jiangxi International ID Competition: Top 40 Entry (2019) - The Shift Transfer Bench, designed to assist individuals needing support while showering, was recognized among the top 40 entries from various international universities.

Projects

Grammy Museum Guest Speaker Cleveland, MS / March 2019

  • Delivered presentations to middle and high school students on the design process, focusing on the extension prosthetic project.

  • Designed and facilitated engaging design activities for students.

Emerson Tooling Company Designer (Sponsored studio) St. Louis / January 2019 - May 2019

  • Collaborated with designers, fellow students, and professors to develop wet-dry vacuums for the RIDGID brand.

  • Incorporated feedback from engineers, designers, and marketers into the final concepts.

  • Presented concepts based on user research for two distinct consumer markets.

NuOcean Lead Designer September 2022 - December 2022

  • Collaborated with business and engineering students to create the NuOcean app, an AI-powered resource for recreational snorkelers.

  • Led ideation sessions and developed high-fidelity wireframes and mock-ups.