Wow. Is this real? This moment marks the most notable achievement in my professional career. I would like to pause and publicly acknowledge the endless encouragement and opportunity I have been given throughout my life, experiences that shaped who I am today as a man and as a creative (Thank You, Mom & Dad!). I give my sincerest gratitude to my faith and family who are the foundation of my life, fueling a deep conviction to be and do good for the world (I couldn't do this without you, Karina! Love you, kiddos!). And I celebrate this achievement with my fellow colleagues at Gensler who have been in the trenches with me every day, dreaming and building alongside me. I am standing on a platform that I did not build alone, and especially thank the Leadership at Gensler for inviting me in as your Partner. I am honored by the trust you have put in me and thrilled to write the next chapter with you! The way we get ahead together, is to put it all on the line for one another - always easy to say, rarely easy to do. This is my commitment to all my colleagues and clients. I promise to give you my all, every day, without compromise.I am honored and grateful to be appointed to Principal at Gensler. Thank you for believing in me.Sincerely inspired and honored,Jacob

It has been a remarkable few years, team. At times of immense volatility, uncertainty, chaos, ambiguity, plea, inequity, need ... imperative is our collective ability to inspire faculties and actions that lend themselves to new ideas, to meaningful change. Imperative is our ability to inspire hope and confidence in our future. Awake and courageous, let us stand together for our beliefs and for the world. I am honored to tackle this new regional leadership role and so grateful for the partnership I share with with each of you across the northwest region - Thank You! Let's do this!

It’s an honor to work with this team!...Gensler Studio Director & Director of Design Strategy for Brand, Consulting, and Experience Design engagements.Areas we roll up our sleeves:- Workplace Strategy and Design- Design Research- Branded Environments- EGD- Identity Design- Signage and Wayfinding- Digital Experience Design - Change Management

Jacob devotes himself to creating delightful and impactful everyday experiences. As a social scientist and designer, he seeks opportunity to improve the relationship between people and infrastructure. “Whether we are working or playing, learning or healing, seeking refuge or connecting with those we love, we crave interactions and environments that ignite our spirit.” Jacob is based in Seattle with an experienced team of researchers, strategist and designers. As the Director of Design Strategy, he provides leadership in strategic engagements with clients and internal design teams to identify, develop and deploy new products, spaces and experiences. With a commitment to elevating systems thinking and purpose-driven design, Jacob works across multiple studios, offices and regions to integrate design strategy into projects and resolve the complex challenges facing our clients.Day-to-day, Jacob’s responsibilities include building client relations with key partners, ensuring our partners receive the strategic support needed through the facilitation of research, strategy, and design and elevating the cohesion and impact of our global Design Strategy practice. Prior to joining Gensler, Jacob was the Experience Design Director at NBBJ, sat on their firm-wide Design Practice Leadership Team (DPLT), built an internal consulting practice, and was the Co-Workplace Strategy Lead.Jacob’s ability to think systemically and strategically has led to the development of award-winning products, environments, brands and experiences for clients ranging from high-tech leaders to global retailers to leading healthcare organizations around the world. Some clients include Converse, Google, Microsoft, Gates Foundation, Lego, The Advisory Board, Amway, Kaiser Permanente and Providence-Swedish.Jacob teaches, speaks, and partners with a national array of non-profits and institutions to advance the dialogue around Experience, Strategy, Design Thinking and Creative Confidence.

As a social scientist, strategist, and designer, Jacob lives at the intersection of design thinking, business and culture. Joining NBBJ to build an internal consulting practice and now, operating as the Experience Design Director, his responsibilities include research, strategy, design and change management leadership across the firm and its various markets. Jacob also sits on the DPLT, the firm-wide Design Practice Leadership team, tasked with elevating design outcomes and culture across the firm. Working directly with the Board and Partnership and connecting frequently with design teams as they evolve the practice and rigorously assess progress in achieving the firms design vision and manifesto.Jacob's ability to think systemically has led to the development and implementation of award-winning products, environments, brands and experiences for clients range from high-tech leaders in Silicon Valley to global multi-level marketing companies to leading healthcare organizations around the world. Whether leading fieldwork, launching innovation labs, training teams in design process or developing strategies and concepts, his mindset and capability empower design teams to exceed business objectives and market demands. Jacob speaks and teaches around the country on topics pertaining to design thinking, business and social innovation, human-centered design, and creativity._

Starbucks Six Connect, 2018 | Panel on the implication of digital experiences on life today | Seattle, WASeattle Startup Week, 2016 | Panel on the implications of equitable and inclusive design | Seattle, WA SummerStudio, 2015 I One week crash-course in Design Thinking I NAEA + Cooper Hewitt + Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art I Kansas City, MO I www.arteducators.org/news/summerstudio

University of Washington, 2008 I “Design Research Praxis” I Seattle, WACornell University, 2009 I "The Future of Health Care” I Ithaca, NYNBBJ Design Leaders Presentation, 2009 I “Shift Happens” I Global Webex; Seattle, WANBBJ Leading Change, 2009 I “Transition Services” I Seattle, WAHealth Insights, 2009 I “Beyond Architecture” I Santa Barbara, CACornell University, 2010 I "The Complexity of Health(care): Mapping the System's Ecology"​ I Ithaca, NYHealth Insights, 2010 I “Transition Planning and Management” I Philadelphia, PAWashington State University, 2010 I “Change Design: The Power of Design & Its Next Greatest Challenge” I Spokane, WA NBBJ Design Leaders Presentation, 2010 I “REV and the Future of Design” I Global Webex; Seattle, WADesign Management Institute, 2011 I Hired to Mind Map all presentation content I Seattle, WAHealthcare Design Conference, 2011 I "Creating Global Brand Standards"​ I Nashville, TNHealthcare Design Conference, 2011 I "Public Spaces: The Power of Sociality and Community"​ I Nashville, TNHealth Insights, 2011 I “Blurring the Boundaries: On & Off Stage Work” I San Francisco, CAIIT Institute of Design, Design Research Conference, 2011 I "Creating & Implementing Design Strategy” I Chicago, ILThe American Institute of Architects, 2011 I "Healthcare Public Spaces and the Power of Design"​ I Seattle, WAUniversity of Idaho, Design Faculty Committee, 2012 I "The Future of Workplace Strategy"​ I Spokane, WAHealthcare Design Conference, 2012 I "A Prototyping Toolkit"​ I Phoenix, AZNBBJ Design Leaders Group, 2012 I "How Tech is Leading Innovation!"​ I Global Webex; Seattle, WAEDRA, 2012 I "Healing Wounded Warriors by Design"​ I Seattle, WATEDx, 2012 I "The Future of Work"​ (Visual Design) I Columbus, OHInfrastructure Partners Conference, 2013 I "The Power of Prototyping" I Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaKansas City University & The Cooper Hewitt | Design Thinking Symposium | Kansas City, MO

"Neighbor" furniture systemNeocon Silver Award

"Revive" furniture systemNeocon Gold Award

Stadium and arena seating.

Concept Design for the future of automotive for active families.