Irene Schmid

#***, **** ****** ***. ***. +1-778-***-**** Born 29.07.1969

Vancouver, British Columbia Austrian/Swiss,

Canada, V5L 5C9 abqaf1@r.postjobfree.com Canadian Permanent Resident

Summary

I work at the intersection of industrial design, interaction design and architecture, with a

particular interest in health care. Through design research and iterative prototyping I have

developed products and services that augment efficiency and user wellbeing. My goal is to work

collaboratively on innovative health care design projects. Past international humanitarian work

has given me insight into inter-cultural dynamics as well as extensive team and project

management experience.

Strengths: Design research, inter-cultural communication, team motivation

Education

BA, Industrial Design 2012

Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, Canada

MA, International Relations 1993

Georgetown University, Washington DC

BA, Economics 1991

Ecole des hautes tudes commerciales (HEC), University of Lausanne

Employment

Lead Designer, Muse Project Aug. 2011 - present

Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Designed a musical chair for dementia care homes. The device recognizes residents who sit on it

and plays music that is personally relevant to them. Simple controls (mute, volume, skip) enable

users to enhance their experience. The design team includes software engineers, a gerontologist,

music and occupational therapists and an industry partner, GuardRFID. Currently undergoing

user testing, the chair will be launched at a conference in June 2012.

Skills: Identified a design opportunity on the basis of academic and field research. Formulated a

design brief. Conducted user research with dementia patients, their families and care providers.

Mobilized an industry partner. Constituted the project team. Planned the design process to create

the desired end-user experience. Developed the aesthetics of the chair. Designed the user

experience and software interface with a software engineer. Physically built the chair. Managed

the project under tight deadlines and budget.

Project Leader, Lions Gate Hospital May 2011 to Dec. 2011

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Designed and executed an in-depth study of user experience in the foyer of a major hospital,

commissioned by the health authorities. The published findings served to inform decision-

makers at Vancouver Coastal Health and Lions Gate Hospital on opportunities and trade-offs in

an extensive renovation project.

Skills: Formulated a research strategy. Constituted a team of 3 designers. Created innovative

research methodologies, including video walkthroughs, electronic door counters, and an

interactive space-planning game. Created a summary publication and choreographed a final

session with key decision-makers.

Design Consultant, German Canadian Care Home Jan. 2010 to Jan. 2011

Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Conducted a consultation of 20 seniors and their families on the hopes and expectations of living

in a care home. The published findings guided the Board on a planned renovation of the German

Canadian Care Home in South Vancouver.

Deputy Director, Protection of Civilians Sep. 2006 Sep. 2007

United Nations, Sudan

Developed a human rights strategy for Darfur emphasizing livelihoods and vocational training.

Helped conceive a new UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur. Supervised 50 employees.

Senior Protection Officer, UNHCR Nov. 2005 Jul. 2006

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Promoted human rights in Ituri province, mediated between rebels and the UN. Profiled

internally displaced populations, using cell phones to overcome logistical constraints.

Protection Coordinator for Iraq, International Red Cross Dec. 2004 Jul. 2005

Baghdad/Amman

Oversaw International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) protection work in Iraq (incl. visits to

prisoners, promotion of legal standards, tracing of missing persons). Designed a phone interface

for beneficiaries to overcome the risk of travel.

Deputy Head of Operations for West Africa, ICRC May 2003 Dec. 2004

Geneva, Switzerland

Supervised operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Worked on key institutional issues

(incl. humanitarian coordination, standards of conduct for ICRC personnel, child protection).

Focal Point for Iraq Contingency Planning, ICRC Sep. 2002 Apr. 2003

Geneva, Switzerland

Designed the ICRC s protection response to the 2003 Iraq war (tracing, advocacy, detention).

Devised a new way of tracing missing persons using web-based beneficiary self-inscription.

Deputy Head of Delegation, ICRC May 2001 Aug. 2002

Sierra Leone

Coordinated programmes, ensuring compliance with institutional standards and budgets.

Supervised 200 employees. Fostered relationships with government, military and humanitarian

agencies, and cultivated rebel contacts from Liberia.

International Red Cross Delegate Nov. 1995 Jan. 2001

Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Colombia, Rwanda

Designed and implemented humanitarian programs for victims of conflict (incl. humanitarian

diplomacy, prison monitoring, armed forces training, and providing material assistance).

World Bank, Washington DC, USA Aug. 1995 Nov. 1995

As a consultant, designed an MA program in Economics for an institution of higher learning in

Ukraine.

Claflin Capital Management, Boston, USA Jul. 1994 Jul. 1995

Based in Kiev, Ukraine, screened investment projects, selected viable partners and negotiated

joint ventures for a venture capital fund.

Skills

Extensive experience in working with wood, metal, fabric and plastics.

Well-versed in Solidworks, Adobe CS5 Creative Suite

Oral Expression: Reading Written Expression:

Comprehension:

English Best language Best language Published

French Fluent Fluent Very Good

German Fluent Fluent Very Good

Russian Proficient Proficient Basic

Spanish Very good Very Good Good

Arabic Basic Basic -

Personal Interests & Affiliations

Design & architecture, back-country skiing (Vancouver Outdoor Club for Women equipment

coordinator, British Columbia Mountaineering Club member). Activist for the Western Wilderness

Committee.

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