Jonathan is multifaceted, dynamic, and always looking toward the future. He enjoys finding creative solutions that improve processes, innovate existing or new products, and discovering the impact those changes have on people and society.
Education
Work Experience
Achievements
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Clifton Strengths
Top 5: Futuristic, Strategic, Ideation, Individualization, Learner Leading Theme: Strategic Thinking
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Curriculum Vitae
Summary
Jonathan is an award winning design researcher, product owner and computational designer recently at cove.tool and a co-founding entrepreneur of Abstracts & Geos. He focuses on user-specific product development of web-based applications, automation for the design/development process, and effective user engagement with complex systems and analytics. His work investigates advanced computational tools for meaningful design insight, predictive analysis methods for the design, and implications of data-driven design on the development of products, people, and the planet. He was the first lab administrator and a design researcher for HKS Inc., a global architecture firm, and responsible for operations of the HKS Lab and implementation of user-specific prototypes. His work explored the relationships between design theory, CAD/CAM technology, emerging construction and fabrication techniques, and user experience. His work on the Sensory Wellbeing Hub has won multiple research and design awards from intuitions like EDRA, Fast Company, and the Journal of Interior Design. He has published award-winning work on the development and application of the novel materials Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced-Concrete for pre-cast façades. His research explores the full potential of computation, user-specific, and parametric design to investigate the intersection of human interaction, advanced design techniques, process automation, and integrated technologies.
Education
2016 Master of Architecture, the University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
2014 Bachelor of Science in Architecture, the University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
2012 International Design Tour: History of Rome & Urban Design, Italy (various cities)
2014 Bachelor of Science in Architecture, the University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
2012 International Design Tour: History of Rome & Urban Design, Italy (various cities)
Experience
Agile Product Researcher & Computational Designer
Cove.tool, 03/2020 – 02/2021
Cove.tool, 03/2020 – 02/2021
- Developed user-oriented protocols, processes, and critical problem-solving techniques for the AGILE product discovery team for a SaaS web-application.
- Owned product discovery for various features to identify user-specific opportunities, design feature mockups, and curate available computational processes for python and three.js for the developer team for existing and new web-app products.
- User support through focus group advisory panels, live chat, UX writing, initial sales demos, and customer success training.
- Evaluated the fundamental science, open-source datasets, and digital workflows as a subject matter expert for web-app products for digital analysis, simulation, and 3D modeling workflows for building science.
- Self-organized research & design planning with the product team for new product scope, MVP, and PRDs
- Work directly with the agile development team on product QC/QA, testing, and launch.
- Co-led a growing product team in a startup during its growth stage by creating and implementing product discovery processes and protocols.
- Feature Ownership: Building Product Database, Embodied Carbon, Grasshopper Plugin, Building a Knowledge Base, Employee Onboarding Process, Product Discovery & Documentation Process
Design Researcher & Lab Administrator
HKS Architects & CADRE, 01/2017 – 01/2020
HKS Architects & CADRE, 01/2017 – 01/2020
- Co-hosted many brainstorming, product testing, and knowledge-sharing events that engaged interdisciplinary teams of a 1500+ employee corporation to discover user-specific business strategies for complex problems through shaping the right questions.
- Analyzed user insights from ethnographic processes like journey mapping, interviews, product story mapping, scenario and usability testing, persona development, card sorting, surveys, and other prioritization methods into design drivers for project teams.
- Oversaw the firmwide administrative operation, planning, and promotion of the Design Research Lab internally and externally and co-organized the future Vision, Mission, and annual KPIs with leadership.
- Design and build prototypes through a design thinking process for the future of human engagement with space across fields of work like human behavior, design theory, CAD/CAM processes, emerging fabrication techniques, and data science.
- Experiment design and testing using sensing technologies, immersive experiences using VR&AR, material application, built prototypes, and scenario testing.
Adjunct Professor of Design Technology
The University of Texas at Arlington, 08/2019 – 01/2020
The University of Texas at Arlington, 08/2019 – 01/2020
- Teach computational thinking and proper digital workflows for architectural design modeling, representation, and storytelling.
- The curriculum focused on the efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of free-form and parametric modeling to produce design schematics, still image renderings, and concept presentations.
- Software include AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Lumion
Graduate Research Assistant Innovative Materials & Technology
The University of Texas at Arlington, 08/2014 – 12/2016
The University of Texas at Arlington, 08/2014 – 12/2016
- Grant-funded research applying UHP-FRC in precast concrete facade panels
- Oversee Digital Fabrication Lab training students on fabrication machinery & Digi-fab techniques
- Maintain laser cutter, four different types of 3D printers, and 3-axis CNC
- Assist students with prototyping and other funded research
- Assist teaching intro to computational design and digital fabrication course
Architectural Associate
GHLA Architects, 06/2014 – 10/2015
GHLA Architects, 06/2014 – 10/2015
- Drafting from schematic design through construction documents
- Resolved spatial conflicts, construction details, code requirements
- Rendering and marketing image creation
- Verification of specification change orders, RIF's, and SD's.
City of Arlington Employee
City of Arlington Golf Courses, 06/2010 – 10/2011
City of Arlington Golf Courses, 06/2010 – 10/2011
- General golf store maintenance, clerk, and golf course services.
Quarry Plant Operator
Dolese, 03/2007 – 06/2010
Dolese, 03/2007 – 06/2010
- Oversee the rock crushing plant's physical operation, maintenance of machinery and conveyors, assist with repairs of industrial equipment, truck driver, and front end loader operator training.
Land Survey Field Operator
Zimmerman Survey and Engineer, 03/2005 – 10/2005
Zimmerman Survey and Engineer, 03/2005 – 10/2005
- Assist field lead and survey man with accurate field measurements or property, set property lines, and as is conditions for new construction.
Customer Service & Retail Positions, 2002 - 2007
- Customer Associate – Cook Children's Home Health,
- Bank Teller - Compass Bank
- Retail Sales – Brookstone
- Customer Service Worker – Decorators Warehouse
- Retail Lead – Six Flags Over Texas
Research
A Fan Experience Study | HKS Architects
Feb. 2019 – Oct 2019 In-depth study of multipurpose stadium capturing current state and desired future state to inform a planned renovation project aiming to enhance the fan experience. Focused on premium spaces, it included informal fan interviews, on-site observation, and behavior mapping using a proprietary digital tool documenting key behaviors (which provided time-stamped data documenting key behaviors within given spaces). Insights from the data and charrettes with the client and design team generated major change recommendations and prioritized investment for the highest impact, presented as a Design Intent Document. My role was to ensure proper data collection on-site with a custom digital tool and ensure data processing to analyze and map the on-site data. |
FLEXX: Flexibility In Current & Future Built Environments | CADRE
March 2017 – June 2019 Industry research project supervised by Upali Nanda. Gained in-depth knowledge of flexible building strategies, literature review, and applied research methodology. Developed an applicable framework for designing flexible architectures for anticipated future adaptation, clarifying terminology of discrete terms and definitions for designers, builders, and clients. Synthesized hundreds of survey responses from industry experts within healthcare, gaining insights into real-world impact testing the FleXX framework. Developed in-depth knowledge of the architectural industry perspective on flexible building design compared to other industries such as space exploration crafts. Collaboration with Steelcase, HKS Architects |
Sensory Wellbeing Hub | HKS Architects & CADRE
Feb. 2017 – Jan. 2019 Industry research and client project supervised by Upali Nanda and Lisa Adams. Designed, developed, installed, and studied the effect of a novel approach toward adaptive sensory room design, construction, and its impact on adolescents with sensory disabilities. Developed a computational method for mass customization of nodal connectors adaptable to any shape and beam profile and testing viability of 3d printing structurally rigid nodes. Used computational simulation for structural analysis and acoustic simulation testing iterative design options. Collaboration with Sean Ahlquist of Univ. of Michigan, OUVA, Mohawk, Carnegie Fabrics | Grant awarded by ASID |
UHP-FRC Facade Panels | The University of Texas at Arlington, Masters
Aug. 2015 – Dec. 2016 Graduate research project supervised by Prof. Brad Bell and Dr. Shih-Ho Chao. Gained experience in integrative design process, applied computational design and simulation, and digital fabrication and construction methods through physical prototyping. Developed two research strategies to optimize a precast concrete façade panel for structural and thermal performance while achieving minimal physical thickness, weight, and material use. Applied biological strategies of self-shading found in cacti by developing computational simulations for parametric geometry and multi-objective-optimization of a macro and micro surface articulation responding to geo-located environmental radiance simulations. Tested effect of optimized design through physical and digital prototypes with thermal heat conduction tests and physical structural three-point flexure tests. Explored casting potential of patent-pending mixture of ultra-high-performance-fiber-reinforced-concrete, its life cycle cost, and net-zero potential throughout the manufacturing, transportation, and construction phases compared to traditional reinforced concrete. Collaboration with industry professionals: HKS Line, Thermomass, Gate Precast, UTA Civil Engineering, UTA DARC |
Publications
- Bootcamp by UC Collective: "Why architects make great product owners"
- UX Collective: " Predictive vs. generative design methods for design & architecture "
- 15+ Knowledge Base Articles, cove.tool: Embodied Carbon, Parametric import process for Grasshopper, ArchiCAD, BlenderBIM, and more.
- Journal Article, Author: "Making a Sensory Cocoon: Translating Discrete Sensory Needs into a Built Solution with Emerging Digital Fabrication Workflows," Technology | Architecture + Design
- Journal Article, Co-Author: "Creating and testing a sensory wellbeing hub for adolescents with developmental disabilities," Journal of Interior Design
- Presentation: "Architecture as Gas Mask," HKS Design Fellowship (corporate wide)
- Research Report: "FLEXX: Flexibility in Current and Future Environments", CADRE
- Presentation: "Design and Testing a Sensory Wellbeing Hub," A4LE Dallas
- Presentation: "Manifest Hyperobjects," HKS Design Talks
- Peer Review Paper: "UHP-FRC Precast in a Facade Application", Facade Tectonics
- Design Competition: "Sycophant Cities", Reality Cues TROPES, Eco-Porn Issue
Conferences
Paper Presentations
Poster Presentations
Attended Workshops
Exhibitions
- Facade Tectonics Intl. Congress | "UHP-FRC Precast Concrete in a Facade Application" | Los Angeles, Ca
Poster Presentations
- Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture | "Testing a Sensory Wellbeing Hub" | San Diego, Ca
- PCI Convention | "UHP-FRC Precast Concrete Facades" | Nashville, Tn
Attended Workshops
- ACADIA 2019: Attended + Workshop: Polyhedral Timber Topologies by James Warton (HKS LINE), Tim Logan (HKS LINE), with Daniel Segraves (Thorton Thomaseti Core Studio) | Austin, Tx
- TEX_FAB 6: Attended + Workshop: Firefly for Grasshopper by Andy Payne | Houston, Tx
- TEX–FAB 5: Attended + Workshop: Parametric Drawing by Andrew Kudless | Austin, Tx
Exhibitions
- SXSW EDU | "Sensory Wellbeing Hub and Cocoon 2.0" | Austin, Tx
- TASA/TASB | "Design and Testing a Sensory Wellbeing Hub" | Austin, Tx
- SXSW EDU | "Pop-Up Sensory Design Lab" | Austin, Tx
- Sound Booth, Private Exhibit
Memberships
- Association for Computer-Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) - 2019
- American Institute of Architects - 2019
- Facade Tectonics, Individual Member - 2016
- NCARB - 2014
Honors + Awards
- Journal for Interior Design – Best Research Paper (co-author)
- EDRA Research Core Award with Merit
- Fast Company Innovative Design Award
- 2 Honorable Mentions: "General Excellence" + "Space, Places, and Cities"
- HKS Design Fellowship
- ASID Grant – $70,000
- Faculty Commendation Award for Design Excellence & Academic Achievement
- CSI Dallas Chapter Scholarship
- Dean's Scholarship
- Travel Photography – Landscape of Florence, Italy
Travel
Italy Design Tour | Summer 2013
Undergraduate Study Abroad Program in Italy. The program included a study on urban design and history through some of the major cities in Italy.
California Design Tour – Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco | January 2016
Program based on urban theories through a critical view of each city.
Personal Travel and Explorations for high design also includes
U.S. – New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego | France – Paris, Poisy, Versailles | Spain – Bilbao, Barcelona | Italy – Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Tuscany, Pisa | Marroco | Tahiti – Moorea, Bora Bora
Undergraduate Study Abroad Program in Italy. The program included a study on urban design and history through some of the major cities in Italy.
California Design Tour – Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco | January 2016
Program based on urban theories through a critical view of each city.
Personal Travel and Explorations for high design also includes
U.S. – New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego | France – Paris, Poisy, Versailles | Spain – Bilbao, Barcelona | Italy – Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Tuscany, Pisa | Marroco | Tahiti – Moorea, Bora Bora
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