Resumé

***DESIGN PHILOSOPHY***
“Design is about communicating an understanding and bringing it to life. The better the understanding of people, cultures, environments and things, the better the design.”

***EDUCATION***
Bachelor of Industrial Design (High Distinction, CGPA 10.87/12.0) 2003 - 2009
School of Industrial Design, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France 2005 - 2006
Successfully completed a semester on exchange

***AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS***
2010 - Spotlighted in 'Water purification - ultraviolet style' - Photonics Spectra - May issue

2010 - Spotlighted in 'Water: Stirred (with a UV Stick) Not Shaken' - Discovery News online - April 20

2010 - Spotlighted in the 2010 Interiors Edition of Ottawa Magazine Feb/Mar issue

2009 - University Medal in Industrial Design

2009 - Spotlighted in 'Green living, by design' - Ottawa Citizen - April 13 issue

2009 - IDSA Merit Award Nominee

2009 - Published 'Socially Appropriate Design: Effective Integration of Future Smart Home Technology'

2008 - Co-op Student of the Year Nominee

2008 - NCC Hats Off Award for the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre exhibit team - $150

2007 - National Telecommunications Team Design Competition Finalist

2004 - Award of Excellence, 1st Year, Carleton University School of Industrial Design

2002 - Academic Scholarships: Nortel Networks Entrance Scholarship - $15000; Aiming for the Top Tuition Scholarship - $10960; Kildonan Education Award, Community Foundation of Ottawa - $3000; R.L. Rosenberg Memorial Scholarship - $1000; Kiwanis Foundation of Canada Scholarship - $100

***SKILLS AND ABILITIES***
Technical Skills
> Proficient in SolidWorks, KeyShot and Cinema 4D; Familiar with 3D Studio Max, Catia, ProE
> Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and MS Office; MAC and PC platforms
> Experience with Dreamweaver and Flash, including HTML, Java, Javascript and Actionscript
> Practical knowledge of various modeling techniques, manufacturing processes and materials
> Experience with technical drawings, spec packages and factory communication

Communication Skills
> Excellent written and oral communication skills with clients, team members and manufacturers
> Fluent in English and Romanian, good working knowledge of French, beginner level Portuguese
> Excellent visual communication skills in sketching, rendering, graphics and layout

Interpersonal Skills
> Works very well independently as well as within a design team and a multidisciplinary team
> Able to manage multiple projects concurrently and comfortable taking a leadership role
> Very personable and enthusiastic, fast learner and eager to contribute

***WORK EXPERIENCE***
Designer, Structural and Industrial Design (full-time)
March 2012 – Present
Anthem Worldwide, New York, NY
> Responsible for concept development, visualization, prototyping and production of innovative packaging design solutions and retail displays for a range of clients
> Assists the strategy team in the creation of consumer workshop stimulus and brand visual territories

Product/Packaging Designer (full-time)
September 2009 – March 2012
Pollen Design Inc. and Prepara, New York, NY
> Acted as an integral part of the firm’s design team through the development of concept sketches, 3D CAD models and renders, foam models, patent drawings, structural packaging, packaging graphics, photography, catalog layouts and web graphics
> Designed and developed products and packaging for the Prepara kitchen tools brand and the newly launched Capital coffee accessories brand as well as for external clients
> Managed junior designers and coordinated production and quality control with overseas manufacturers

Freelance Web, Graphic and Industrial Designer (part-time) September 2008 – Present
> Developed the corporate identity for a financial investment firm (logo, website & promo print material)
> Designed a campus orientation system for a national academic congress at Carleton University
> Developed an index catalog for an interpretation panel and structure system in InDesign

Industrial Designer (full-time)
May 2007 - August 2008
National Capital Commission (NCC), Ottawa, ON, Canada
> Developed a wide range of environmental graphics and structures for national festivals (Canada Day and Winterlude), special event programs/concerts (150th Anniversary of the Capital, 400th Anniversary of Quebec City, Orchestras in the Park, Opera Under the Stars) and televised press conferences
> Designed and managed the production of commemorative plaques and gifts for the Ottawa visit of HRH Prince Edward on October 11, 2007
> Collaborated in the design of a courtyard identification system, a national park visitor centre exhibit, outdoor interpretation and other permanent signage and wayfinding projects for Canada’s capital

Teaching Assistant (part-time)
September 2006 - December 2006
Carleton University School of Industrial Design, Ottawa, ON, Canada
> Responsibilities included marking assignments, mid-terms and finals as well as maintaining the course website and responding to student inquiries for the History and Theory of Industrial Design course

Web Developer (full-time)
May 2006 - August 2006
Carleton University School of Industrial Design, Ottawa, ON, Canada
> Redesigned the school website to improve navigation, content finding, interactivity and visual appeal
> Designed and developed an online instructor’s guide tailored to the needs of new contract instructors

Computer Assistant (full-time)
Summer 2003, 2004 and 2005
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Animal Health Risk Analysis, Ottawa, ON, Canada
> Developed an information management database and user interface, designed international workshop posters, maintained the group website and created PPT presentations and report graphics

Software Verification Student (high school intern and part-time)
Spring and Fall 2000
Nortel Networks, Product Verification and Integration, Services Verification, Ottawa, ON, Canada
> Assisted with the testing of new internet telephony applications, performed test case maintenance, provided the team with thorough test results, improved test cases and created PPT presentations

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
> Boxing, rollerblading, ice skating, zumba, belly dancing, volleyball, swimming, dragon boat racing, songwriting
> Enhancing emotional connections between objects and people, cradle to cradle design, form giving
> Traveling and experiencing different cultures, learning, exploring, questioning and dreaming

REFERENCES
Available upon request

Projects by Olivia Blechschmidt

Dinnerware
7 Files

Kitchen
17 Files

Technology
13 Files

Furniture
6 Files

Toys
5 Files

Transportation
10 Files

Packaging Design
6 Files

Graphic and Web Design
23 Files

Environmental Graphics
10 Files