Gina Taha

AI Researcher

San Jose, Costa Rica20 yrs 9 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Expert in user-centered design and service design methodologies.
Extensive experience in ethnographic research across multiple countries.
Proven track record in developing digital and UX strategies.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a User Experience and Service Design expert with a focus on healthcare and social innovation.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

User Experience DesignService DesignProduct DesignPackaging Design

Other Skills

Adobe Creative SuiteArt DirectionCard SortingConcept DevelopmentConcept GenerationDesign StrategyDesign ThinkingExperience DesignHuman-Centered DesignIAIndustrial DesignInformation ArchitectureInformation DesignInteraction DesignParticipatory Design

About

I apply UCD strategies and Service Design methodologies in the creation of user-centered products and service-system experiences. Quantitative and qualitative insights derived from ethnography and UX research are translated into real-world solutions that deliver delightful product experiences just as much as company-facing revenues and long-term organizational savings. As a systems-thinker, I manage and participate in the product development cycle: from planning and conducting research to guiding multi-disciplinary teams through concept generation, strategy development, and further design and business modeling phases. Currently prototyping a service design driven, circular economic model in Costa Rica. Deliverables: digital anthropology, ethnographic/qualitative interviews (remote/in-person), research and strategic analysis, storytelling, personas, customer journeys, service blueprints, IA/card sorting, user flows, user testing and Participatory, Stakeholder, co-creation and UX workshop design, behavioral modeling, behavioral change strategies, strategic roadmaps, business modeling. EXPANDED CLIENT LIST: Gov of Denmark, Gov of Singapore, UNICEF, MoH Tanzania, CDC, MCHS Health System- Wisconsin, Intel, Mozilla, Samsung, Asus, UniCredit bank, IntesaSP bank, GranStudio (Turin), Enhancers (Turin), Experientia (Turin), Interbrand Milan. frog Milan, We Are Experience NYC, Piano, Stripe Partners UK, Medullan, METER Group, Data&Society

Experience

Empathy equation

Principal

Feb 2015 – Present · 11 yrs 1 mo · Greater New York City Area

EmEq is a micro-agency made up of different design talents that come together however the project needs them to. As a collective we specialize in anything related to design, from conducting ethnographic research to designing and developing meaningful solutions that bridge user needs with business requirements.
We specialize in utilizing HCD for in-depth ethnographic and design research studies, and in design challenges in which behaviors and attitudes are key. Together with our clients we develop multi-touchpoint strategies that bridge business with user needs and are sustainably competitive into the future. By involving our clients in workshops and other activities we simultaneously teach the principles and practices of Human-Centered Design; additionally conducting enterprise HCD training.

ethnographic researchdesign researchmulti-touchpoint strategiesHuman-Centered Designenterprise HCD trainingUser Experience Design+1

Freelance

Digital anthro/ UX Researcher/ Service Design Lead

May 2012 – Present · 13 yrs 10 mos · Greater New York City Area

Freelance ethnography + UX research (usability, heuristic, in-lab + remote); Service Design + business strategy consultant. Interested in social innovation, healthcare and education in and for the developing world.
Deliverables: Digital and UX strategy (guidelines and recommendations), IA, personas, scenarios, service blueprints, customer journeys, behavioral modeling, research analysis, system ecologies, narratives, lo-fi prototyping for emerging markets.
Selected fieldwork countries: Indonesia, India, Colombia, Poland, Hungary, USA, UK, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Tanzania
Client List: Gov of Denmark, Gov of Singapore, Intel, Mozilla, Samsung, Logitech, Asus, UniCredit, IntesaSP, GranStudio, Enhancers, We Are Experience, frog, AMEX + Stripe Partners

ethnographyUX researchservice designbusiness strategydigital strategyIA+5

Istituto d'arte applicata e design

Art Direction and Communications docent

Sep 2011 – Feb 2012 · 5 mos · Torino, IT

Substitute docent for Art Direction course taught to graduating seniors.

Experientia

Sr. UX Researcher/Service Design Lead

Nov 2010 – Apr 2015 · 4 yrs 5 mos · Turin Area, Italy

Qualitative and ethnographic research: contextual interviews, shadowing, service shadowing, cultural artifacts
Client/Stakeholder facing: project frameworks development and engagement. Set timelines, created research protocols, sourced collaborators, managed fieldwork + budget
Digital and UX strategy: developed UX guidelines and recommendations.
Usability, heuristic and formative evaluation testing for mobile, web and TV, including cross-platform and multi-media experiences. High/low-fi prototype testing
Design and facilitation of Participatory Design, UX and stakeholder/citizen engagement workshops
Service design within product-service and public sector systems: healthcare, education. Personas, scenarios, service blueprints, customer journeys, behavioral modeling, etc.

qualitative researchservice shadowingproject frameworks developmentusability testingParticipatory DesignUser Experience Design+1

Avon

Freelance to F/T Sr. Packaging Designer

Jan 2006 – Mar 2010 · 4 yrs 2 mos

Designed for and managed skin/hair care brands and multiple segments within color
Active in high-level Task Force meetings: provided creative and strategic input for future product launches and brand extensions
With Design Director, set and monitored development objectives for jrs. within the team; wrote performance reviews
Communicated thorough and extensive graphic and product design direction to comp houses/outside vendors; worked closely with global engineering to understand cost and production limitations on designs; extensively reviewed submissions: color, mechanicals and comps; managed/controlled team budget, studio costs and deadlines

packaging designbrand managementcreative directionProduct DesignPackaging Design

Various studios, nyc area

Packaging Designer

Nov 2004 – Nov 2009 · 5 yrs · Coty, Anthem Worldwide, Beauty Solutions, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Office Depot

Played an integral part in the creation of the Revlon design team; aided in the transition from the Revlon in-house group to an agency model
Primarily responsible for conceptualizing, developing strategies and designing solutions for product launches and product line extensions in the: cosmetic, personal care, food and pharmaceutical industries for brands such as Beauty Solutions, Revlon, Almay, Huggies, Wishbone, Office Depot and Pfizer.
Along with creative team, managed and developed brand standards for major cosmetics brand, managed the application of those standards across new packaging and promotional materials
Designed promotional advertising, point-of-sale materials, catalog inserts and posters
Approved and signed off on mechanicals, separations and printed proofs; Responsible for reviewing printed proofs, color submissions and production-line trials for color, accuracy and consistency. Communicated standards globally.
Worked very closely with engineering on developing unique bottle structures for promotional launches; oversaw the transition from design to actual manufactured pieces through frequent rapport with glass and plastic vendors
Developed complex mechanicals for holiday cartons and brand extensions; oversaw production team up to pre-press; worked closely with vendors
Art directed and styled photoshoots for promotional launches; responsible for photo retouching photography on pack