American, b. 1981 in Dallas, USA and now lives in Barcelona, Spain.
Design Researcher and Creative Generalist with roots in media, a passion for world-building, and a penchant for systems mapping.
I built a flat! Semi-sabbatical project 2023-current. I converted a former motorcycle repair shop into a live-work loft. I sourced 90% of the materials from upcycled, second-hand, or scavenged items. I learned invaluable skills from woodworking to 3D design, and tremendous lessons in patience and perseverance. Concurrently I run a part time vegetarian catering business and am an active member of my neighborhood’s cultural arts commission.
Strategy Consultant for a US-based DEI nonprofit. Conducted qualitative interviews to evaluate user needs vs. current offerings; segmented user groups and used findings to map weaknesses and opportunities within the community ecosystem. Deliverables included structural adjustments to internal communications and the creation of an onboarding plan for new members. 2022.
Workshop Design: Speculative Fiction as a Business Tool. Created workshop and canvas blueprint to bridge organizational foresight with trends analysis. Ran futures scenarios for a Spanish tourism startup. 2022.
Qualitative Researcher, US Market, for a European Fortune 100 company. Conducted qualitative interviews to evaluate the potential market for a novel prototype. 2021.
Media Producer and Strategist for Democrats Abroad, Global Communications Team. Video campaign creator and strategist for a 200k+ member political organization with representation in 197 countries worldwide. Responsible for rapid and steady engagement growth using video assets across all social media platforms. Our coordinated campaign efforts resulted in a 300% increase in overseas voter participation since 2016, over 10K daily Facebook impressions, and 2K+ hours on Youtube streamed. 2020-2021.
Filmmaker, documentary short about economic systems during the time of Covid-19. A collaboration with Political Economist Mark Blyth, Brown University 2020.
Consumer Trends Researcher for international COVID-19 study Global Human Research, DesignThinkers Spain. 2020
Co-Founder of carbon-neutral retail startup project BOSC, which won first place at Barcelona Startup Weekend and advanced through BridgeForBillions accelerator 2019.
Film Director of The Next Enlightenment, produced for an AI-themed program at the Tate Exchange, Tate Modern London. 2019.
Various Startup Development projects in the retail sustainability sphere. 2018-2020.
[FORMAL] EDUCATION:
Master, Research for Design & Innovation, ELISAVA University, Barcelona, Spain 2018.
Postgraduate Diplomas in Research & Design Thinking, Trend forecasting / Coolhunting
B.Sc, Radio TV Film, University of Texas at Austin, 2005.
PREVIOUS CAREER (2005-2017)
I started out in documentaries and eventually built a career in unscripted television. Media project management from concept creation through delivery. Creating, pitching, and producing original content, all within the parameters of hallucinatory budgets, impossible deadlines, and suborbital egos. Clients in the United States included National Geographic, IFC, AMC, Discovery Health, Bravo and others. I had a fancy agent at a fancy agency.
MOTIVATION:
To make and put out good into the world. To foster systemic change where the present is failing, and to protect what is meaningful from corruption or loss. To engage and empower through media, art, and technologies. To create better futures.
The energy and artistry of Barcelona continues to inspire me, as does the multinational community of designers, entrepreneurs, thinkers, tinkerers, and change-makers that also call this place home.
HARD SKILLS:
Qualitative research, Design, and Prototyping of concrete and abstract solutions. Generation of User Personas, Stakeholder Mapping, and Blueprinting. Writing, Producing and Directing audiovisual media. Technical production including Cinematography, Photography, Sound Design, and Editing.
SOFT SKILLS:
Storytelling, Interviewing, Strategy, Design Thinking, Systems Thinking, Trends Watching, Project Management, Leadership, and Teamwork. Brainstorming and Ideating.
INTERESTS:
Circular Economics, Speculative Futurism, Urban Design, Food Systems, AI Ethics and Policy, Design.
Volunteer Design Coordinator for Festa Major de Guadiana, a neighborhood arts and culture commission in Barcelona.
HAM callsign K5PZ. Thanks Dad.
Full and formal CV on request. Drop me a line! diane@splashstud.io
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