Stefanie (Stef) Koehler Email & Phone Number

Portland, Oregon + Detroit, Mi

WERK_offers partnership, consultation, and training designed to empower teams to develop a unified long-term vision, roadmaps for realization, and reading project and environmental indicators. WERK_ specializes in working with teams and organizations that find themselves in transformation; a place that brings uncertainty, ambiguity, and unlimited possibility.WERK_strategy takes a holistic approach to understanding a desired future to develop action plans to get there from a current… Show more WERK_offers partnership, consultation, and training designed to empower teams to develop a unified long-term vision, roadmaps for realization, and reading project and environmental indicators. WERK_ specializes in working with teams and organizations that find themselves in transformation; a place that brings uncertainty, ambiguity, and unlimited possibility.WERK_strategy takes a holistic approach to understanding a desired future to develop action plans to get there from a current state. To complement scientific approach to analysis and forecasting, WERK_strategy incorporates Futures Thinking methodologies, Design Thinking methodologies, and User Experience research to develop Design, Manufacturing, Process, Communication, and Relationship Strategies.​WERK_design is deeply rooted in art, design, and business. This distinction is important as having the experience to draw from each of these disciplines with fluidity and tacit understanding positions WERK_design to complement, challenge, and complete teams. WERK_designs partner as product designers, interaction designers, creative directors, and business model designers, at times fluidly supporting a variety of perspectives.WERK_collaboration develops long-term strategies and short-term plans that guide organizations, collectives, teams, and bands through transformation with a focus on unity, cohesion, empowerment, and agency.(per our founder, Katherine Tucker) Show less

Portland, Oregon Area

Part research, part design, part planning for the future. I tackle complexity using my unique combination of skills in critical listening, rapid sketching, and real-time synthesis. Whether I am researching difficult questions or designing experiences, I approach design like a scientist:validating my assumptions, keeping what works, tossing what doesn't, and always asking why. Experienced in applied Biomimicry. Clients include Fiat-Chrysler Automotive, Home Depot's Innovation hub, Portland State… Show more Part research, part design, part planning for the future. I tackle complexity using my unique combination of skills in critical listening, rapid sketching, and real-time synthesis. Whether I am researching difficult questions or designing experiences, I approach design like a scientist:validating my assumptions, keeping what works, tossing what doesn't, and always asking why. Experienced in applied Biomimicry. Clients include Fiat-Chrysler Automotive, Home Depot's Innovation hub, Portland State University, Context Partners, and more. GreenCraneInnovation.com Show less

Portland, Oregon Area

I created a course that integrates the theory of Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science into collaborative design practice. Design Futures and Ecologies is housed in the Hallie Ford Graduate School [Collaborative Design/Design Systems MA program]. I take students through real-world challenges with a lens on the social side using human-centered design, the ecological side using biomimicy, bio-inspired design, all grounded in ecological accounting using life-cycle analysis and… Show more I created a course that integrates the theory of Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science into collaborative design practice. Design Futures and Ecologies is housed in the Hallie Ford Graduate School [Collaborative Design/Design Systems MA program]. I take students through real-world challenges with a lens on the social side using human-centered design, the ecological side using biomimicy, bio-inspired design, all grounded in ecological accounting using life-cycle analysis and cradle-to-cradle/circular economy frameworks. We also discuss Design Activism, Design Justice, and other sustainability frameworks applied to design. Show less

Portland, Oregon Area

Helping the fast-growing company integrate an innovation process and product development pathway. Starting from user research through final production of products. Using collaborative design practices I am running brand meetings, brainstorming, innovation and strategic planning sessions. As a strategist, I partner with the Creative Director and Design Leads to keep everyone moving forward on the same page, laying the ground work for an agile innovation-led culture to emerge.

Portland, Oregon Area

Doing boots-on-the-ground research for clients looking at the challenges faced by the hourly worker. Context Partners works to strengthen relationships in communities and increase retention amongst product/service users.

Seattle And Portland, Usa

We work in the world of sustainable product innovation. We bring designers, biologists, educators, and other talent together to help companies (like Chrysler) figure out how they might integrate biomimicry thinking into their innovation practices. We flex our systems-thinking muscles with organizations who want to create living products, impeccable services, and solve social challenges by design.

Portland, Oregon Area

With a background in industrial design, branding, and specialty in sustainability, I work with organizations to create solutions that consider all aspects of their system. From how they're addressing user needs, designing and manufacturing goods/services, and shaping their business + sustainability efforts now and in the future. Together we co-create business strategy, memorable learning experiences, and creative design ideas.Clients include: Home Depot, Portland State University… Show more With a background in industrial design, branding, and specialty in sustainability, I work with organizations to create solutions that consider all aspects of their system. From how they're addressing user needs, designing and manufacturing goods/services, and shaping their business + sustainability efforts now and in the future. Together we co-create business strategy, memorable learning experiences, and creative design ideas.Clients include: Home Depot, Portland State University, Biomimicry for Creative Innovation, People's Food Co-op, Chrysler Automotive, and Nike Foundation, amongst others. Branding and marketing development done for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, OBI Creative, Studio K, Courtyard Ink, NDS Nutrition, and more. Show less

Pacific Northwest, United States

At BCI, we create workshops and practical tools for designers and businesses incorporating Bio-inspired Design Thinking into their organizations. We help people find their groove together, break down conventional constructs, and learn from abstracting lessons found in nature. We focus on radical innovation with teams at Boeing, Pinchot University, and others. Although, not actively developing programming, I still serve as a mentor in BCI's network. I partnered with BCI founder to… Show more At BCI, we create workshops and practical tools for designers and businesses incorporating Bio-inspired Design Thinking into their organizations. We help people find their groove together, break down conventional constructs, and learn from abstracting lessons found in nature. We focus on radical innovation with teams at Boeing, Pinchot University, and others. Although, not actively developing programming, I still serve as a mentor in BCI's network. I partnered with BCI founder to illustrate our recent book: [re]Aligning with Nature by Denise DeLuca, published by White Cloud Press http://www.realigningwithnature.com/ Show less

Portland, Oregon Area

Impact Entrepreneurs works to leverage business for positive social impact. I joined the team to create a brand and visual language for their business, initiatives, and events. I head up design efforts and strategies that integrate design thinking for business and social innovation programs. I also help visualize lectures by live sketching complex information into understandable bits that are captured for online video lessons.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

My graduate studies in sustainable design prepared me to address both environmental impacts and the social side of sustainability. I use a human-centered approach to understand the needs of people while digging into solutions found in the rest of nature with biomimicry and whole systems thinking. I focus my services on design for extended product lifetime, responsible material/production sourcing, and social change related educational programs.

Greater Philadelphia Area, Us

Designed culinary products for a variety of markets by conducting current market research, exploring a wide range of concepts, and refining designs for production engineering. www.foxrunbrands.com

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

Branding and media design for the S.T.E.P. program in the College of Engineering. Designs included logos, brochures, handbooks and web site. Materials were used to assist students, parents, and counselors to the resources provided by the S.T.E.P. program.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

I was responsible for opening and running shop hours. I assisted students with woodworking machinery, materials, and processes for furniture and model-making projects.

Worked in a collaborative environment with advertising representatives to design ads placed in the university newspaper. Branding was used to make a line of ads for many of our clients.

Supervised daily kennel activity. Worked to socialize and train the homeless dogs. Learned about dog behaviors, medical needs and about the inner workings of a non-profit organization.

Master Of Arts (Ma), Sustainable Design

For my thesis, I researched nature-inspired strategies to help conceptualize a low-cost water distilling system that women in developing.

Lean Business Model Educator'S Training, Nyc

Activities and Societies: Trained to educate on business model generation and agile development

Bs, Industrial Design, Art Minor

Activities and Societies: Industrial Design Society of America, Students for a Sustainable Earth My capstone project with Project H Design.