Nikki Kurt

Brooklyn, New York, United States
Nikki has a gift of creating emotion connections to people through design. Her passion is conceptual problem solving with an illustrative finesse to bring ideas to life.

Working with many start-ups and non profits to Fortune 500 companies, industries including: children, fashion, music, pharmaceuticals, food, beverage, pet food, amusement parks and peace organizations.

Specialties include: creative problem solving, branding and identity, illustration, package design, interface design
Experience
Nov 2010Present
Designer and Realness Artist
Designer collaborating alongside Fortune500 companies including food, beverage, pharmaceuticals and theme parks to develop innovative solutions for products and services to enter the market. Creating branding materials, packaging renderings and prototypes, along with final presentations.

Realness artist working alongside clients during idea brainstorming sessions by hand drawing concepts, scene or product sketches, and on-the-spot illustrations. Mentor for design team including the lead on establishing the design department in the New York Office.
May 2008Present
Principle
Brand Consultant and designer working primarily alongside start-up companies to clarify the essence of their brand. Industries include fashion, architecture, interior design, landscaping, Tool-and-Die manufacturers, online selling platforms, bands, entrepreneur services and children. Responsibilities include networking, client facing, writing contracts and invoices, consulting, correspondence, and design work including: logos, icons, print, packaging, web, and interface design. Some clients include: DesignSeed, Maba, Alexander Michael Snyder, Third Rail Venture, Danica Cosic Designs, Midtown Studios, Progress For Industry, Moms love it, and NLIA.

Also offering Design Freelance services for site specific projects at companies including: Centron A Healthstar Communications Company, ? What If! Innovation Partners, and The War Resistors League.
Mar 2009Oct 2011
Freelance Designer
Rebranded the look and feel for Lango, specific to the Brooklyn region. This included Brooklyn style graphics and illustrations referencing style guide colors and character art. Created seasonal posters, postcards, business card, t-shirt and certificates based on new graphics. For the final handover to client, along with Illustrator files, created an easy editing structure for the owner to update the content on their own via PowerPoint.
Jun 2008May 2010
Junior Package Designer
Redesigned the logotype and all brand identity for the private label, Baby Boom. Styled photo shoots with in house photographer and photo retouched images. Created die lines and bag specs along with color approvals across all product lines. Worked with licenses such as Disney, Nickelodeon, MiGi, Carter’s, Graco, Jeep, Eddie Bauer, along with original design work. Worked on color approvals for all products before final prints and corresponded with the China office.
Education
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Aug 2004May 2008
Communications Design, with a concentration in Graphic Design
I learned the essence of seeing and communications and the impact at a global perspective. During the intensive foundation year, I learned traditional techniques of art to represent my thoughts through drawing, sculpture, time and color, alongside Liberal Arts. Year two consisted of introductions to the Communications Design department where Graphic Design, Illustration, and Art Direction majors collaborated, gaining inspiration from all disciplines through computer programs, illustration, typography, advertising, and visual communications; my favorite where the focus was on simple, conceptual solutions. Year three, was about honing into my graphic design skills through further computer and conceptual courses along with a freelance and business course, chemistry and silkscreen to gain further insights. My senior year consisted primarily of branding, packaging and illustration along with circus techniques, philosophy of public spaces and a Scientific Illustration course-studying cadavers.
Weimar, Germany
Mar 2007Jul 2007
Semester Abroad
I studied ephemera, typography and painting. Ephemera was my main subject, as I love the concept of printed materials that are meant to expire yet become treasures. It was a magnificent way to keep design records of my travels while abroad and to have them preserved as memories.
Awards
May 2010
Publication of two projects in "The Big Book of Layouts"
Sep 2009
2009
New Visual Artist Nominee
2008
2nd Place Winner, Childhood Dinnerware Competition
May 2008
Pratt Show Exhibitor located in the Manhattan Center
Languages
 
English (Native), German (Beginner)
Skills
 
Branding and identity, illustration, Package design, interface design, client facing, Collaborating, Powerpoint, Mentoring, adobe creative suite, Flash, Dreamweaver, Quark Express 6, Final Cut Pro, Brand Consulting, Uncovering the Essence
Additional Information
I love to travel and gain new inspiration through the observation of new cultures out of my my comfort zone. These fresh inspirations form connections for my life and my work. I love the perspective of having the local insider knowledge and being a tourist at the same time.

I also have a love for making handmade cards and has an uninhibited passion for collecting vintage accessories and sweaters from all around the world.