Linda kraft

Empathy-driven approach 🤝 a pragmatic mindset

Hello, I'm Linda and I am an interaction designer currently pursuing my Master in Interaction Design at Umeå Institute of Design. My motivation is to design meaningful experiences through a highly empathic approach combined with an analytical, systematic way of thinking. This holistic approach is fed by my strong interest in people which continues to evolve daily.

In addition to my passion and interests my background in industrial design has had an impact on my current workflow. During my 5 years of studying industrial design, I had the opportunity to try on different hats that made me the person and designer I am today. Studying and working in the US gave me the opportunity to work closely with engineers and hardcore industrial designers, which helps me understand people and the products they use, this leads to the technical aspects of any project.

->download cv<-

Experience -^

Product Design Intern
Hello Monday
Denmark
08/2021 – 02/2022
‍
Student tutor
id_methodLAB, Wuppertal, Germany
04/2019 – 09/2020

Design Intern
Evolve Collaborative, Portland, OR
Summer 2018

Industrial Design Intern
Delve, San Francisco, CA
Spring 2018

Student Assistant
material_LAB, Wuppertal, Germany
10/2016 – 08/2017

Education -^

MFA Interaction Design
Umeå Institute of Design
2020 – 2023

MA Strategic Product and Innovation Development
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
2019 – 2020

BA Industrial Design
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
2014 – 2019

Industrial Design,
focus in trend forecasting,
University of Cincinnati, DAAP, 2017

Nominations -^

Core77 Student Notable Interaction Award 2021, Globe.fm
‍Newcomer Nominee 2021 German Design Award
‍IF Award 2019: Lookout Bench Evolve Collaborative, Portland, OR,
‍DAAD Scholarship 2017 Bergische Universität Wuppertal, University of Cincinnati

Methods -^

design thinking, ethnographic research, storytelling, workshop planning, facilitation & moderation, co-creation, concept creation & evaluation, human-centred design, stakeholder alignment, wire-framing, video filming & editing, service blueprints, user journeys & testing, team harmonising

Tools & Skills -^

Adobe: Ai, Ps, Id, Ae, Me, Au, Xd, Figma, Sketch, Principle, InVision, Flinto, Keynote, Pen & Paper, Digital sketching, Rhino, Keyshot

Hands on -^

Machining (wood, plastic, foam, laser cutting, CNC-milling), electronics, rapid prototyping, quick cardboard/volume mock-ups, sewing & knitting
& I can drive a forklift if needed.

About -^

I love to read behavioural physiology books for fun, nurture the people around me with good food and most importantly: bake bread (like a good german would do). My favourite mode of transportation is riding old italian bikes, if I am not busy fixing them. Let's have a virtual coffee together! :)