Hello!
I'm Karenina Gonzalez, a product designer, brand strategist, and researcher based in Brooklyn, NY. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with companies ranging from startups to esteemed corporations like Capgemini, Target, and J. Crew. These varied experiences have allowed me to gain expertise in all facets of product design, and in creating work for both consumer and B2B applications, I have had the opportunity to contribute to successful projects from inception to completion and everywhere in between.
With a deep knowledge of the design process, I excel in leading teams and managing design projects. As a team leader, I bring a wealth of experience in guiding and inspiring cross-functional teams to achieve exceptional results. My strong interpersonal skills and ability to foster collaboration contribute to a positive and productive work environment.
With a human-centric approach, I am driven to solve problems and enhance user experiences through thoughtful design iterations. I am deeply passionate about creating designs that have a positive impact on people's lives. Uncovering insights that inform my designs and collaborating with cross-functional teams bring me immense satisfaction. My journey into the field of UX design has been both thrilling and rewarding, and builds on the back of a successful prior life in fashion design, where I not only created innovative lines but also incepted design processes, managed supply chains, and worked through the logistics of bringing real-world products and brands to life.
No matter where I apply my skills, what truly fuels my motivation is the fulfillment of delivering exceptional products. I constantly strive to learn and grow, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in design. I am grateful for the opportunities I've been given and eagerly anticipate the chance to continue making a positive impact through design.
Thanks for reading!!
Passion Projects
Never satisfied with just 9 to 5, I am constantly learning, trying new ideas, and being involved in projects that push me out of my comfort zone.
Community is a big part of my life, I am a strong believer in social and environmental responsibility. I use art and my time to be an activist for social change, and community engagement, and to collaborate for a better tomorrow.
I have taught classes and given lectures at the University of Minnesota, Thomas Jefferson University, and Moore College of Art & Design. Focusing on sustainability, overall design studies, as well as the fashion industry.
CARE DESIGN STUDIO
I created Care Design Studio during the Coronavirus pandemic to provide masks to people in need and first responders. Today through Care, I have donated more than 300 masks. Also, I had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow designers to come up with products that are made sustainably in small batches, focusing on upcycling.
TOY PRODUCT DESIGN (Pro-Bono)
University of Minnesota
Instructor
Lab instructor for Toy Product Design, an introductory course project-based design and engineering class. Lead undergraduates through repeated ideate-design-prototype-test cycles over the semester to develop and build functional prototypes of toy concepts.
JULIETA RADA "AFROZEN"
Costume Designer
Designed, constructed, and styled the wardrobe, photo shoot, and music video of award-winning singer Julieta Rada’s musical album “Afrozen”. Worked closely with the artist to explore her personality and how she wanted to be seen by her fans. After the music album, I continued to create costumes for the album presentation in Uruguay and Argentina.
QUEEN (Pro-Bono)
In the Heart of the Beast Theater
Puppet Costume Design
A puppetry tale about the aching journey of grief unravels as a luminous poem in “Queen,” presented by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.
Centered on a black woman who has lost her grandson to gun violence, the piece entrances with a swell of imagery told through words and a multitude of visual delights.
" Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."
- Or pottery
CENSUS (Pro-Bono)
Performer
Census was a public performance project about how systematic information gathering affects the body, our everyday lives, and our broader communities. This piece was performed by 100 people across a quarter-mile of public space from dusk to dawn at the 2016 Northern Spark Festival.
MY previous life IN THE WILD
I’m always really excited when I see my work on social media and out on the streets. It brings me great joy to know my work is being loved by others.
