Ellie Riley Ward

parts + labour merchandising, 2022-2023 as lead merchandiser for Parts + Labour, I was able to apply my design skills across a retail space in Hood River, OR. I was responsible for curation of social media as well, which meant I was designing not only in a 4D environment that would lead a customer through the store, but also in ways that allowed me to present a captivating, flattened image.

linx, 2020 Team: Hanna Vincent, Nicole Nogues, Esther Tang, and Chris Gradone. Linx is a smart home device designed to help friends, family, and coworkers organically ‘bump into’ each other around their own house, facilitating impromptu conversations and friendships. The Linx website can be found here.

Ka-Bloom, 2020 Finalist project in the Biodesign Challenge 2020 - official website here and press articles here. team: Cassie Hoisington, Jenna John, Alexandria Pompei and Roy Schmidt - for the BDC, we created a resource for do-it-yourself seed bombs meant to repopulate Michigan’s native plants and prevent runoff.

hand-hold, 2020 cast silicone, Tile tracker ergonomic grip for mappable tracker designed to allow people with memory loss to go for walks on their own and regain independence

Salt and Pepper shaker packaging, 2020 vinyl, laser printer ink, vintage salt and pepper shakers

Beyond Footwear, 2019 team: Mackenzie Hewitt, Jack Kornet, Albert Che, and Ellie Ward - in a partnership with Detroit Community High School in Brightmoor, MI, our group (including Deontae, Kavon, and Lovenia) designed and marketed a collection of shoes to improve financial literacy and design skills. My role was to design laser-cut components and stencils, as well as streamline the manufacturing process.

self growth, 2019 digestive and salival bacterial growth on 3D printed sculptures, photographed with food and alcohol