Summary
A design leader and educator with over two decades of experience, I have dedicated my career to mentoring designers and students while leading cross-disciplinary teams within the industry. My vision entails a future wherein design is embraced and leveraged with a critical perspective to influence emerging technologies, ultimately benefiting society and the environment. Collaborating with educators, researchers, startups, and established organizations, I engage in early-stage exploration and implementation of new initiatives, entrepreneurial endeavors, and critical stages of transformation.
42 courses across four accredited institutions.
4.5 years of full-time teaching experience.
17 years of full-time industry experience.
3 years of freelance experience.
Education (first-generation student)
Master of Fine Arts, Graduate Media Design Program, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
2012
● Focus on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), ubiquitous computing, human-data interaction, physical computing, discursive design, and creative technology.
● Thesis topic: Altering our Perception of Smartphones through Noise: Introducing the Affection Research Lab (published with IEEE VISAP).
2012
● Focus on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), ubiquitous computing, human-data interaction, physical computing, discursive design, and creative technology.
● Thesis topic: Altering our Perception of Smartphones through Noise: Introducing the Affection Research Lab (published with IEEE VISAP).
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2005
● Focus on digital experiences through rich internet applications.
● Thesis topic: Understanding Emergence: Communicating Emergence Theory through Interactive Experiences and Digital Storytelling.
2005
● Focus on digital experiences through rich internet applications.
● Thesis topic: Understanding Emergence: Communicating Emergence Theory through Interactive Experiences and Digital Storytelling.
Associates in Applied Sciences, Graphic Design, County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ
2001
● Focus on pre-press and web design through typography, layout, color, and photography, including logotypes, logo marks, and visual branding.
2001
● Focus on pre-press and web design through typography, layout, color, and photography, including logotypes, logo marks, and visual branding.
Academic Experience
Director of Innovation / Innovation Professor of Practice, University of Portland, Portland, OR
August 2019 – January 2024
A 9-month, full-time, 2/2 load, non-tenure instructor track, 1-year term cycle in the Shiley School of Engineering.
August 2019 – January 2024
A 9-month, full-time, 2/2 load, non-tenure instructor track, 1-year term cycle in the Shiley School of Engineering.
Administrative
● Established program integration with deans, chairs, tenured faculty, and academic counselors.
● Designed and deployed all internal promotion materials.
● Coordinated and led round table discussions and talks on innovation for prospective donors.
● Spearheaded and supported relations with donors and partners to raise over $140k in annual funding.
● Co-managed the design and development of the Shiley Marcos Center for Design and Innovation.
● Contributed to donor relations, raising $6M for construction and new program development.
● Managed the Senior Engineering Capstone Program to develop 25 industry-sponsored capstone projects.
● Established program integration with deans, chairs, tenured faculty, and academic counselors.
● Designed and deployed all internal promotion materials.
● Coordinated and led round table discussions and talks on innovation for prospective donors.
● Spearheaded and supported relations with donors and partners to raise over $140k in annual funding.
● Co-managed the design and development of the Shiley Marcos Center for Design and Innovation.
● Contributed to donor relations, raising $6M for construction and new program development.
● Managed the Senior Engineering Capstone Program to develop 25 industry-sponsored capstone projects.
Teaching
● Taught all required courses in the Innovation Minor listing: INV200: Introduction to Design and Innovation, INV300: Empathy and Human-Centered Design, INV350: Critical Making and Prototyping, and INV400: Industry-Sponsored Innovation Practicum.
● Elective courses: EGR/NRS/CST391: Living with Intelligent Things, EGR490: Human-Centered Design.
● Engineering Innovative Collaboration Workshop, delivered to 600+ First-Year Engineers.
● Design Thinking & Telehealth Workshop, provided to over 500+ nursing students.
● Project Poster Design Workshop, delivered to all Senior Capstone Project Teams.
● LDR225: Foundations in Leadership, delivered to undergraduate students.
● Taught all required courses in the Innovation Minor listing: INV200: Introduction to Design and Innovation, INV300: Empathy and Human-Centered Design, INV350: Critical Making and Prototyping, and INV400: Industry-Sponsored Innovation Practicum.
● Elective courses: EGR/NRS/CST391: Living with Intelligent Things, EGR490: Human-Centered Design.
● Engineering Innovative Collaboration Workshop, delivered to 600+ First-Year Engineers.
● Design Thinking & Telehealth Workshop, provided to over 500+ nursing students.
● Project Poster Design Workshop, delivered to all Senior Capstone Project Teams.
● LDR225: Foundations in Leadership, delivered to undergraduate students.
Scholarship
● Presented research poster with the directors of undergraduate and graduate nursing.
● Collaborated with the directors of leadership and entrepreneurship to initiate campus-wide talks and engagement with world-class innovators and leaders in design.
● Presented research poster with the directors of undergraduate and graduate nursing.
● Collaborated with the directors of leadership and entrepreneurship to initiate campus-wide talks and engagement with world-class innovators and leaders in design.
Service
● Member: Presidential Advisory Committee on Inclusion (PACOI).
● Faculty Advisor: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
● Faculty Advisor: Filipino American Student Association at UP (FASA sa UP).
● Member: Commuter Student Support Group Ad-Hoc Committee.
● Faculty Mentor: Team rePLA (Pilot Venture Challenge, InventOR).
● Faculty Lead: ideation workshops for the strategic initiative of the College of Arts and Sciences.
● Faculty Lead: community workshops discussing the idea of social justice at a catholic institution.
● Faculty Lead: community workshops on cognitive behavioral therapy for students and leadership.
● Member: Presidential Advisory Committee on Inclusion (PACOI).
● Faculty Advisor: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
● Faculty Advisor: Filipino American Student Association at UP (FASA sa UP).
● Member: Commuter Student Support Group Ad-Hoc Committee.
● Faculty Mentor: Team rePLA (Pilot Venture Challenge, InventOR).
● Faculty Lead: ideation workshops for the strategic initiative of the College of Arts and Sciences.
● Faculty Lead: community workshops discussing the idea of social justice at a catholic institution.
● Faculty Lead: community workshops on cognitive behavioral therapy for students and leadership.
Graduate Mentor, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Willamette University, Portland, OR
September 2021 – April 2022
● Mentored graduate students in the MFA Collaborative Design and MA Design Systems programs.
September 2021 – April 2022
● Mentored graduate students in the MFA Collaborative Design and MA Design Systems programs.
Workshop Instructor, Make+Think+Code, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
January 2018 – May 2019
● Led two workshops for a mix of undergrad and graduate students on Rapid prototyping for social engagement & ethnographic research and Diegetic prototyping of future services and products through single images.
January 2018 – May 2019
● Led two workshops for a mix of undergrad and graduate students on Rapid prototyping for social engagement & ethnographic research and Diegetic prototyping of future services and products through single images.
Adjunct Associate Professor, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
January 2018 – May 2019
January 2018 – May 2019
Administrative
● Developed a program blueprint for an undergraduate User Experience and Interaction Design program. Unable to implement program due to budget and relocation to Los Angeles, CA.
● Developed a program blueprint for an undergraduate User Experience and Interaction Design program. Unable to implement program due to budget and relocation to Los Angeles, CA.
Teaching
● Instructed Special Topics Studio: VR/AR in Spring 2018.
● Instructed Fundamentals of Interactive Media in Spring 2019.
● Faculty Mentor: Stephanie Dickerson, BFA, Graphic Design, Spring 2019.
● Faculty Mentor: Jem Irving, BFA, Graphic Design, Spring 2019.
● Faculty Mentor: Jack Hale, BFA, Graphic Design, Spring 2018.
● Instructed Special Topics Studio: VR/AR in Spring 2018.
● Instructed Fundamentals of Interactive Media in Spring 2019.
● Faculty Mentor: Stephanie Dickerson, BFA, Graphic Design, Spring 2019.
● Faculty Mentor: Jem Irving, BFA, Graphic Design, Spring 2019.
● Faculty Mentor: Jack Hale, BFA, Graphic Design, Spring 2018.
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Interaction Design, Art Center College Of Design, Los Angeles, CA June 2013 – April 2015
Administrative
● Served as Academic Assessment Liaison to develop curriculum strategy, curation, accreditation requirements, and documentation creation.
● Served on the Faculty Council, representing the Interaction Design Department, executing research strategies to inform council decisions.
● Developed a blueprint for the Emerging Technology Lab.
● Served as Academic Assessment Liaison to develop curriculum strategy, curation, accreditation requirements, and documentation creation.
● Served on the Faculty Council, representing the Interaction Design Department, executing research strategies to inform council decisions.
● Developed a blueprint for the Emerging Technology Lab.
Teaching
● Sponsored Projects: New Car Experiences Jaguar Land Rover (SP 2015).
● IxD 2: Microinteractions: Designing for Delight (SP 2015).
● IS (Independent Study): Sonic Interaction Design (FA 2014).
● IxD 2: Information Architecture & Content Strategy (FA 2014).
● IxD 2: Information Architecture & Content Strategy (SU 2014).
● IxD 3: Digital Ecosystems (SP 2014).
● IxD 2: Information Architecture & Content Strategy (FA 2013).
● IxD 2: Understanding Users and Systems (SU 2013).
● Sponsored Projects: New Car Experiences Jaguar Land Rover (SP 2015).
● IxD 2: Microinteractions: Designing for Delight (SP 2015).
● IS (Independent Study): Sonic Interaction Design (FA 2014).
● IxD 2: Information Architecture & Content Strategy (FA 2014).
● IxD 2: Information Architecture & Content Strategy (SU 2014).
● IxD 3: Digital Ecosystems (SP 2014).
● IxD 2: Information Architecture & Content Strategy (FA 2013).
● IxD 2: Understanding Users and Systems (SU 2013).
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Humanities & Sciences, Art Center College Of Design, Los Angeles, CA
June 2013 – April 2015
June 2013 – April 2015
● Sciences of the Unseen (Spring 2015).
● Sciences of the Unseen (Fall, Summer, Spring, 2014).
● Sciences of the Unseen (Spring 2013) with Bruce Hubbard.
● Sciences of the Unseen (Fall, Summer, Spring, 2014).
● Sciences of the Unseen (Spring 2013) with Bruce Hubbard.
Adjunct Associate Professor, Graphic Design, Woodbury University, Los Angeles, CA
January 2013 – April 2015
January 2013 – April 2015
Administrative
● Authored and delivered a User Experience Program Charter and Integration Strategy for the University (unable to execute due to relocation to Portland, OR).
● Authored and delivered a User Experience Program Charter and Integration Strategy for the University (unable to execute due to relocation to Portland, OR).
Teaching
● Advanced Web Design 2 (Spring 2015).
● Advanced Typography (Spring 2015).
● Introduction to Web Design 1 (Spring 2014).
● Advanced Typography (Spring 2014).
● Communication Design (Fall 2013).
● Senior Degree Project (Fall 2013).
● Introduction to Web Design 1 (Spring 2013).
● Advanced Web Design 2 (Spring 2015).
● Advanced Typography (Spring 2015).
● Introduction to Web Design 1 (Spring 2014).
● Advanced Typography (Spring 2014).
● Communication Design (Fall 2013).
● Senior Degree Project (Fall 2013).
● Introduction to Web Design 1 (Spring 2013).
Web Workshop Instructor, Communication Arts, Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA August 2012 – May 2013
A part-time role in the Communication Arts Program.
A part-time role in the Communication Arts Program.
● Basic HTML & CSS Workshop.
● Advanced CSS Workshop.
● Led the Web Project Triage Center.
● Advanced CSS Workshop.
● Led the Web Project Triage Center.
Teaching Assistant, Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles, CA
August 2010 – January 2012
Various teaching assistant positions held as a graduate student.
August 2010 – January 2012
Various teaching assistant positions held as a graduate student.
● Sean Adams, Communication Design and Branding.
● Petrula Vrontikis, Professional Practices.
● Anne Burdick, New Modes of Reading and Writing.
● Phil van Allen, Creative Technology.
● Petrula Vrontikis, Professional Practices.
● Anne Burdick, New Modes of Reading and Writing.
● Phil van Allen, Creative Technology.
Co-Instructor, Graphic Design, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
May 2005 – July 2005
Co-taught a continuing education course on Photoshop with Larry Bach.
May 2005 – July 2005
Co-taught a continuing education course on Photoshop with Larry Bach.
Industry Experience
Founder, Principal Consultant, Affection Research Lab, Portland, OR
March 2019 – Present
March 2019 – Present
Research Advisor, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), Washington D.C. June 2021 – August 2022
Photographer, Pentagram, NYC, NY
May 2019
May 2019
Product Owner and Lead UX Strategist, Jaguar Land Rover, Portland, OR
July 2015 – March 2019
July 2015 – March 2019
User Experience Strategy Consultant, Downstream, Portland, OR
June 2015
June 2015
Creative Director of UI/UX and Branding, Beatshare Inc., Los Angeles, CA
April 2014 – May 2015
April 2014 – May 2015
Visual Brand Specialist, Pentagram, NYC, NY
June 2014
June 2014
Founder & Principal Creative Technologist, The Rare Studio, Los Angeles, CA
June 2012 – June 2015
June 2012 – June 2015
Creative Technologist, NOKIA, Los Angeles, CA
May 2011 – July 2011
May 2011 – July 2011
Visual Designer, Telematic Tales w/ Kjen Wilkens, Los Angeles, CA
May 2011 – July 2011
May 2011 – July 2011
Creative Technologist, LIKE NOW, Los Angeles, CA
January 2011
January 2011
Senior Designer, The Map Office, New York, NY
July 2005 – July 2010
July 2005 – July 2010
Design Intern, LF Banks and Associates, Philadelphia, PA
January 2005 – July 2005
January 2005 – July 2005
Design Intern, Parsippany Pinwheel, Parsippany, NJ
January 2001 – May 2001
January 2001 – May 2001
Volunteer Experience
Advisor, WeDesign Exhibition, Design Museum Everywhere, Portland, OR May 2018 – January 2021
Chapter President & Treasurer, AIGA Portland Chapter, Portland, OR May 2018 – March 2020
Design Thinking Workshop Instructor, CODE 2040, Portland, OR July 2018
Content Director, AIGA Portland Chapter, Portland, OR March 2016 – July 2018
Judge & Award Presenter, AMA PDX MAX AWARDS, Portland, OR February 2018
Judge, ADOBE Creative Jam Portland, Portland, OR September 2018
Publications
Fox, K., Raber, A., Orara, S. (2022, April 6-9). Integration of Telehealth Using Design Thinking in a Teaching and Learning Environment. The Western Institute of Nursing, Portland, OR, USA. https://tinyurl.com/3prx27fh
Orara, S. (2021, January 29). Critical Incidents, AIGA Design Teaching Resource Guide. https://teachingresource.aiga.org/project/critical-incidents/
Orara, S. (2021, January 7). Empathy in Motion: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 and wearing face masks through peers, AIGA Design Teaching Resource Guide. https://tinyurl.com/5cwpsfj2
Orara, S. (2020, September 17). Critical Connections: Concept Mapping Empathy, Human Centered Design, and Wicked Problems, AIGA Design Teaching Resource Guide. https://tinyurl.com/yyaxk9z5
Orara, S. (2020, September 17). What is Social Justice at University of Portland?, AIGA Design Teaching Resource Guide. https://teachingresource.aiga.org/project/what-is-social-justice-at-university-of-portland/
Orara, S. (2020, May 26). Alarm Clock Application, AIGA Design Teaching Resource Guide. https://teachingresource.aiga.org/project/alarm-clock-application/
Orara, S. (2020, May 26). Augmented Reality Zines, AIGA Design Teaching Resource Guide. https://teachingresource.aiga.org/project/ar-zines/
Orara, S. (2020, May 26). Manual Dialectical Forces Zine, AIGA Design Teaching Resource Guide. https://teachingresource.aiga.org/project/manual-dialectical-forces-zine/
Orara, S. (2016). Altering our Perception of Smartphones through Noise: Introducing the Affection Research Lab. IEEE VIS Arts Program (VISAP), 31-36, Baltimore, Maryland. http://visap.uic.edu/2016/materials/04_visap-0155-paper_Orara.pdf
van Allen, P., McVeigh-Schultz, J., Brown, B., Kim, H., Lara, D., (2013). AniThings: animism and heterogeneous multiplicity, CHI EA '13: CHI '13 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing SystemsApril 2013, 2247–2256. https://doi.org/10.1145/2468356.2468746
Orara, S. (2012), Affection Research Lab: Affection Stations & The Signal Archive. Leonardo Abstracts Service. (n.d.). Leonardo/ISAST with Arizona State University. https://leonardo.info/leonardo-abstracts-service/39244
Visnjic, F. (2012, April 30). Affection Station by Salvador Orara - Reconnecting with our devices. Creative Applications Network. https://tinyurl.com/4wtx97kx
New York Times. (2008, July). Thoughts on Democracy Posters. https://tinyurl.com/ya6vsfjv
Cheng, K. (2008), Typomofo: Type Morphing into Forms. Page One Pub.
Baur R., Boom, I., Goggin, J., Hasting, J., Lupton E., Mafundikwa, S., Middendorp, J., Nadel D., Phillips, B., Tanaami K., (Eds.). (2008), Area_2, Phaidon Press.
Exhibitions & Performances
2023 The Double-Edged Sword of Transformation, Covert Gallery, University of Portland, Portland, OR
2019 Experimental Film and Video ʻ19, CICA Museum, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
2019 Sari not Sari (courtesy Palmarin Merges et al.), Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR
2013 T.I.N.Y: The Interactive New York, Super Pier, NY, NY
2012 The Signal Archive, BETALevel, Los Angeles, CA
2012 Affection Stations, Wind Tunnel Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2011 The Music of Hans Koch, The Wulf, Los Angeles, CA
2011 Thesis Work in Progress, Wind Tunnel Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2011 Hidden Timbres, Wind Tunnel Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2011 Telematic Tales, Wind Tunnel Gallery at Art Center, Pasadena, CA
2011 MADE UP: Designs Fictions, Wind Tunnel Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2009 Winter Show, Orchestra of St. Lukeʼs at the Apollo Theater, NY, NY
2009 AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers, National Design Center, NY, NY
2008 Winter Show, Orchestra of St. Lukeʼs at the Apollo Theater, NY, NY
2008 Black is Beautiful, Studio Museum in Harlem, NY
2008 Thoughts on Democracy, The Wolfsonian, Miami Beach, FL
2008 AIGA 365 Poster, National Design Center, NY, NY
2007 Stealth Poster, Studio Museum in Harlem, NY
2005 LOVE vs. HATE, Gallery One at UArts, Philadelphia, PA
Presentations
2024 Professional Mentor, User Experience Design Program, Savannah College of Art and Design,
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA
2023 Anthropologists as Entrepreneurs, Society for Applied Anthropologists, Cincinnati, OH (online)
2023 Warming up to the Future, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (online)
2022 Design Thinking & Nursing, University of Portland, Portland, OR
2019 Fuck Up Night, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
2019 Art Talk, George Fox University, Newburg, OR
2018 Customer Journey Mapping Workshop, AIGA Design Conference, Atlanta, GA
2018 Roboboogie Camp Optimization Speaker, Portland, OR
2017 Design Week Portland: Designing Automotive Innovations, Portland, OR
2016 IEEE VISAP: Introducing the Affection Research Lab, Baltimore, MD
2015 Never The Machine Forever, The Frog, LA, CA
2015 10 Design Jobs in 2025, Razorfish, Austin, TX
2015 The Future of the Internet of Things, Razorfish, Austin, TX
2015 All we’ll do is eat: IoT & Autonomous Vehicles, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
2015 Designing for Delight, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
2015 Introduction to Affordances & Signifiers, Art Center, Pasadena, CA
2014 Internet of Things Workshop, Razorfish, Portland, OR
2012 Affection Research Lab, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY