About Me.
With a foundation in fashion and currently advancing her studies in Industrial Design, Erica delves into the synergy between materials and product design. She is also deeply engaged in exploring the parallels between nature's lifecycle—from birth, through growth, to decay and rebirth—and the lifecycle of a product. Her work seeks to uncover innovative connections between technology, biology, and user experience, aiming to craft products that resonate with the human experience and environmental awareness.
EDUCATION
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, Rhode Island
Masters Industrial Design
2023-2025
Parsons, The New School
New York, New York
MA Fashion Studies
2015-2017
California State University, LA
Los Angeles, California
BA Fashion Merchandising
2010-2015
CERTIFICATES
Solidworks:
Associate-Mechanical Design-2021
SOFTWARE
Adobe Suite
Microsoft Office Suite
Rhino
Solidworks
Keyshot
Arduino
Reaper
Clo3d
SKILLS
Biomaterials and Biosystems Research
3D Printing and Prototyping
Material Science
Sustainable Design
Creative Problem Solving
Chemical Safety and Handling
Critical Thinking and Analysis
Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Communication
EXPERIENCE
Advanced Bio Design Graduate Research Assistant to Professor
Peter Yeadon/ Yeadon Space Agency
Providence, Rhode Island | Sep 2023 - Present
•Contributing to advanced research in biomaterials and biosystems, focusing on bio-enabled and living systems.
•Assisting in designing and conducting experiments, applying
problem-solving skills to address failures and improve outcomes.
•Documenting findings and images using Scanning Electron Microscopy.
Silklab, Tufts University
Designer and Visiting Scientist
Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts | Jun 2023 - Present
•Conducting research on living organisms, examining their
behaviors and potential applications in empathetic design and product development.
•Gaining practical knowledge in chemistry, emphasizing safe
handling and disposal of chemicals, relevant to lab environments.
ASICS
Product Development Intern
Boston, Massachusetts | Jun 2023 - Aug 2023
•Developed ‘Harmony’, integrating heat technology into product design.
•Conducted market research, aligning product development with industry trends.
•Demonstrated skills in creative concept execution and prototyping.
Sensory Edi-Bowl
Student Project- Co-designer
Providence, Rhode Island | May 2023
•Explored 3D printing technologies for creating unique edible products.
•Focused on sensory design, relevant to user experience in biosensor applications.
•Developed a unique 3D printed edible product
Nike Inc.
Production Coordinator
Los Angeles, California | Jan 2019 - Jan 2020
•Managed production processes, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
•Resolved production issues, demonstrating strong problem-solving capabilities