Danielle Souder

- Collaborated with Eastman Chemical in researching and designing a commercial line of modular sound dampening panels and residential noise barriers for the consumer market. Such a product provides a solution for noise pollution caused by street traffic, confined apartment living, AC Units, or mechanical equipment noise, all of which have significant impacts on human health and sleep patterns.

- Conducted extensive research on sound design and engaged in a deep ethnographic study of consumer's perception/reaction to the combination of wood and plastic materials. Gathered user feedback by means of personal observation and through semi-structured interviews with architects, professors, homeowners, and college students.

- Served an association of 22 Mayan women weavers by designing a series of graphic resources that would help effectively communicate their unique design process, vision for the community, business model, and passion behind the indigenous craft. These resources included a brochure, a design development package indicating areas for which they could grow or innovate within, a conference booklet for foreign investors, and an online Etsy platform for internet sales.

- Conducted an extensive market review within the village of San Juan La Laguna by visiting over fifteen different weaving initiatives so that I might understand how each cooperative communicated their product, made their woven goods, and imported or acquired their materials. I also spoke with several foreign visitors as well as company owners to compare and contrast what each found most valuable and appealing. With this research, I was able to offer the women insight on how they could differentiate their woven products which were naturally spun and hand dyed rather than imported.

- In collaboration with ODIM of San Juan and San Pablo, I researched and wrote a ten week sex education program in Spanish for children that highlighted the importance of making responsible sexual decisions while addressing other topics such as self esteem, leadership, family planning, abuse, the negative effects of sexually transmitted diseases, and the benefits of communicating one’s boundaries with others.

- The program seeks to be interactive and engaging for students ranging from 6-18 years, provide information that will give students the tools to make wise and responsible decisions regarding sexual practices, is culturally sensitive to the beliefs held by the people within the community, gives students the opportunity to share about personal experiences and the confidence to ask questions, and offers students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the material at the end of each class.

- Worked closely with Enventys’ design department in a summer “Design Innovation Lab” to conceptualize and develop products, brands, presentation layouts, and interactive packages.

- Gained insight into the interconnected relationship of the various phases of product development, including: market research, ideation drawing, quick prototyping, engineering, and company branding.

- Collaborated with Providence Products, a shoe care and insole company, to extend their product offerings by exploring innovative solutions to be introduced and branded into new markets such as outdoor care, orthotics care, and endurance athletics.

- Crafted an extensive strategic research presentation for Providence Products so they could pitch their new products before Wal-Mart's Corporate Managers of Innovation.

- Sponsored project between NCSU College of Design and Duke University’s Ergonomics Department to develop a device that prevents falls in radiation departments and provides stability and ease of use for patients and X-ray technologists.

- Collaborated with four team members to research statistics and current market trends while gathering feedback from individuals in the community to guide and influence our possible design solutions. Brainstormed multiple solutions, but ultimately chose one design that was refined through a series of ideation renders, computer models, full-size prototypes, user testings, and interviews with medical professionals.

- Taught young children between the ages of four and eleven the art of movement and dance.

- Had the opportunity to choreograph dance pieces and assist other teachers with dance exercises.