Contact
Brooklyn, NY
sntimko28@gmail.com
sophia-timko.me
Education
Carnegie Mellon University
Master of Human-Computer Interaction • Expected August 2022
Cornell University
B.S. in Design Environmental Analysis • May 2017
An interdisciplinary human-centered design research program combining human factors, strategy, and psychology
School of Visual Arts
Mobile UX Design Intensive • July 2018 - Aug 2018
Recent Upskilling
Udacity.com | Business & Data Analytics • Mar - May 2020
Skills
UX Research • User interviews, focus groups, ethnography, survey design & analysis, field observations, client data analysis, user journey mapping, persona development, storyboarding, usability testing, A/B testing
Design Strategy • Product-market fit, CX strategy, customer segmentation, service blueprint, business model canvas, value proposition definition, storytelling, competitive analysis, service design, brand audit
UX Design • Information architecture, site mapping, wireframing, prototyping, human factors, visual layout
Tools • Illustrator, InDesign, PhotoShop, AfterEffects. Sketch, Figma, InVision, Marvel. Microsoft Suite, Excel, Qualtrics. AutoCAD, SketchUp.
Experience
Carnegie Mellon CoALA Lab, Human-AI Collaboration Research Assistant • August 2021 - Present
Work with a team of researchers to understand how designers and engineers can best be supported in collaborating with AI capabilities of 3D design software
Runyon Design, Design Researcher & Strategist (Contractor) • Mar 2020 - Present
Collaborated with a team of designers, researchers, and business strategists to craft digital experiences s for a range of fortune 500 companies and startups.
Performed generative research to conduct 45+ interviews, 12+ usability tests, and an attitudinal survey to capture the voice of the customer to inform a B2B digital experience for a fortune 500 company.
Led design research for a global FinTech startup to inform growth strategy and business design opportunities aiming to increase their North American customer base.
Knotel, Design Research Manager, Digital Product • Nov 2019 - May 2020
Worked as the sole design researcher on Knotel’s digital product team to scope, manage, and conduct design research initiatives to uncover user insights, define user profiles, map customer journeys, facilitate stakeholder ideation sessions, and gauge product-market fit to inform product innovation and UX design.
With a team, designed, launched, and tested a new property listings site for brokers that has already reached ~5,000+ users to refine designs and track engagement and success metrics.
Gensler, Design Strategist • Aug 2017 - Nov 2019
Selected as one of 12 participants out of 300+ applicants for an on-the-job design strategist development (DSD) program to primarily consult for three fortune 30 clients to conduct and synthesize qualitative and quantitative user research about employee workstyles for large technology and financial companies.
Planned, managed, and executed research processes to understand the needs of the next generation workforce and the impact of 5G technology on workplace experience in order to envision to the future of work.
Led the research, design, and prototyping of an augmented reality (AR) civic engagement mobile app for co-creation of public spaces after winning “People’s Choice” in an office-wide New Ventures Challenge.
Health Design Innovations Lab, User Research Assistant • Sep 2016 - May 2017
Worked with a joint team between Cornell’s College of Engineering and Design & Environmental Analysis department to develop and design a system that reduces the spread of hospital-acquired infections.
Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, Visual Design & Marketing Intern • Sep 2016 - May 2017
Worked as the sole designer on the Marketing & Communications team for a business incubator for local startups to develop marketing materials for programs and events, create web pages and write articles about member startups, and co-lead design thinking workshop for Rev members.
Leadership & Service
City Year + Gensler, Strategy & Experience Lead • Sep 2017 - Nov 2019
Led design research processes as part of a pro-bono partnership to design a space within an under-served school each year. Facilitated workshops and interviews with students, teachers, and City Year corps members to define the vision and program for the space, ensuring the needs of each user group are met.