Natacha Poggio

Water for India

Water for India

Water4India started as a service learning collaboration between design and engineering students at the University of Hartford. We now have expanded into a project inviting participation from outside university boundaries.

• Startup type: University Spin-out
• Status: Active
• Stage: Growth

Natacha Poggio is a multidisciplinary design strategist and social entrepreneur, currently working as Assistant Professor of Visual Communication Design at the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, Connecticut. Natacha Poggio received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2006, Natacha received her Master of Fine Arts in Design from The University of Texas at Austin, with a concentration in experience design.

In her design work, Natacha examines how people interact with objects and environments and looks for ways to expand the awareness of the physical senses to make these interactions aesthetically pleasing and functional for the greatest number of users, including people with disabilities. Her design expertise is not limited to visual communication but includes creating hybrid-augmented environments that coexist within physical spaces. Her creative output focuses on sensorial interactions that generate relationships between people, objects and the larger environment.

In her teaching, she focuses on the role the environment plays in people's lives and encourages students to find solutions that will inspire positive change in society. Natacha's courses are deeply rooted in social responsible design and service learning. Natacha conscientiously strives to enhance diversity in the university community, encouraging opportunities to bring different perspectives and backgrounds to her classes. She strongly believes that providing a diverse learning environment is the most effective means of preparing students for personal and professional success in an increasingly global and multi-cultural society.

Employer:	Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Position:	Assistant Professor Visual, Communication Design
Time period:	August 2007 - Present
Description:	Teaching 18 contact hours per semester: 2D Design foundations; Type 1; Image Making and Meaning; Experimental Type; Issues in Design; Design Problem Solving and Senior Project.

Employer:	ValkiriaDesign, Austin, TX
Position:	Principal, Designer
Time period:	December 1999 - Present
Description:	Plan and develop user-centered strategies and design experiences in a variety of media for an eclectic clientele (see list below). Experienced in multiple fields of design: graphic, information, environmental, editorial, web design, packaging and advertising.

Employer:	Faculty Service
Position:	Work experience
Time period:	August 2007 - November 2009
Description:	2009 Kenya Well-being: Currently planning a visual campaign on wellness and sanitation for communities in the Western Lake region of Kenya, an interdisciplinary project with Engineers Without Borders-Hartford Chapter. 2008-2009 “Water 4 India” campaign: Ideator and Faculty Advisor for interdisciplinary project between Hartford Art School and the University of Hartford’s Engineers Without Borders Student Chapter. Art directed seven Visual Communication Design students creating educational campaign on sanitation for Abheypur, a rural village in India. Fundraised $15,000 for team of six to travel to India in January 2009 to implement the campaign. http://www.water4india.org 2008-2009 University of Hartford Academic Advisor to Destinations, Residential Learning Community for First Year students interested in multicultural issues and travel abroad. Organized educational events around multiculturalism and service learning opportunities abroad. 2008 As part of the Joseloff Gallery’s “Beyond Green” exhibition activities, organized visit and lecture presentation of Assistant Professor Eric Benson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, April 22-24, 2008. 2008 Coordinated the Visual Communication Design Departmental Show (curated and installed work), February 27-March 4, 2008. 2007-2008 University of Hartford Emerging Technologies Committee (Chair of sub-committee on “social networking and students engagement”) appointed by Interim Provost Joe Volker.

Employer:	Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford, CT
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2006 - November 2009
Description:	Provided consultation for re-design of visitor’s center and communicational strategies.

Employer:	Design Division, The University of Texas at Austin
Position:	Teaching Assistant
Time period:	December 2005 - November 2006
Description:	Assisted Prof. David Shields with the sophomore course Visual Syntax in Communication, stressing on the fundamental issues of typographic organization, including visual and logical hierarchy, structure, space, and color.

Employer:	Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Summer-Fall semesters
Position:	Research Assistant - professional internship
Time period:	May 2005 - October 2005
Description:	As an intern in the Education Department, researched and conceived the design of hands-on interactive learning materials for museum’s eLounge—a space where visitors can enhance their learning through experiential activities. Organized focus groups to test prototypes and worked with wood shop staff to produce final product.

Employer:	Center for Women and Gender Studies, The University of Texas at Austin, Spring semester
Position:	Research Assistant
Time period:	February 2005 - April 2005
Description:	Designed visual communication materials—posters, seminars announcements and web graphics— to extend center’s outreach campaigns to a larger audience.

Employer:	Design Division, The University of Texas at Austin
Position:	Teaching Assistant
Time period:	December 2004 - November 2005
Description:	Assisted Prof. Gloria Lee with Design History Laboratory, a sophomore-level workshop/seminar class emphasizing design in a historical context. Discussed readings with students and helped them with their websites. Prepared visuals and lectured on Le Corbusier and Modernism.

Employer:	Design Division, The University of Texas at Austin
Position:	Undergraduate Workshops
Time period:	December 2004 - November 2005
Description:	Taught a series of one-day workshop/seminars to undergraduate design students. Topics included: Universal design, user interface design, typography and low vision.

Employer:	Center for Subsurface Modeling, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2003 - November 2006
Description:	Re-designed website into a Content Management System to facilitate maintenance by client. Created conceptual wireframes for site architecture and low/high fidelity mockups for discussion and testing purposes; designed working prototypes (layout, color, typography, images) for usability and proof-of-concept testing. Coordinated with programmers the production and implementation of finished product. http://www.ices.utexas.edu/CSM/

Employer:	El Centro Chicano, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2003 - November 2006
Description:	Designed promotional and direct mail materials for 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate’s Rigoberta Menchu’s lecture, Diversity 201 and other special events.

Employer:	Sociedad Central de Arquitectos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2002 - November 2004
Description:	Designed interface and visual design solutions from concept through final design. On occasion, created graphics for articles and sponsors’ ads. http://www.socearq.org

Employer:	Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2002 - November 2003
Description:	Designed informational materials for Lyons internship program in student affairs. Acted as consultant for the design of a website portal, creating sketches/flows for discussion and testing purposes. Designed high-fidelity mockups to solidify design conceptual framework.

Employer:	Asian American Activities Center, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2002 - November 2003
Description:	Designed visual communications for “New Student Orientation” activities.

Employer:	Asociacion Interdisciplinaria de Diseño del Espacio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2002 - November 2003
Description:	Designed visual interface and splash introduction for the ARQ-INFAD Barcelona Exposition awards FAD 2003 website. http://arq-infad.arqa.com

Employer:	El Mundo Newspaper, Austin, TX
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2002 - November 2003
Description:	Designed graphics and logos for different sections of a Latino-oriented newspaper. Developed identity materials for home buying section “Suplemento Tu casa.”

Employer:	Community Service
Position:	Work experience
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2009
Description:	2009 “ENLIVENING THE PAST: Exhibition Design as Storytelling” Hartford CT Organized the exhibition of senior projects from Design Problem Solving class at the University of Hartford. Harriet Beecher Stowe Visitor Center, Hartford CT, February 9-April 30, 2009. 2009 9th Annual Women Composers Festival of Hartford, Hartford CT Involved sophomore design students in interdisciplinary collaboration with Hartt School instructor, to create artwork for Festival, to be displayed at Tisane Coffee House, during March Women’s History month, March 8, 2009. 2007 AIR-Interactive SXSW Interactive Festival, advisory board member, Austin, TX 2006 Accessibility Internet Rally, Austin (AIR-Austin), advisory board member, Austin, TX 2006 Capital of Texas Team Survivor, Austin TX Recruited and worked with a team of four junior design students from UT-Austin to develop an accessible website for local non-profit organization which participated in AIR-Austin Competition. http://www.teamsurvivoraustin.org 2005 UT Global Ethics and Conflict Resolution Summer Symposium, Department of Communication Studies, June 8–17, 2005, The University of Texas at Austin, TX Led daily breakout sessions for high school students participating in a variety of activities to enable them to learn and practice skills in negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution. 2005 Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, Austin, TX Helped the Community Outreach division organize a competition among junior students to select a designer for the 2007 calendar for the state of Texas. 2004 Digit World Contest for Artistic and Cultural Heritage, Paris, France Collaborated as juror for contestant web sites, in the sector of conservation, promotion and defense of cultural and/or artistic heritage. 2003 Austin-Refugee Services of Texas, INC., Austin, TX Compiled content and designed website for non-profit’s local charter, which increased donor contributions by 10%. http://rst-austin.org 2002 Graduate Student International Gala, Stanford University, CA Escondido Village Community Associate, co-organizer: Designed all publicity including website. Initiated contacts with student associations and performers, oversaw event scheduling and food catering, developed proposals, formal invitations and all publicity including website. With a team of four, shaped event profile for target audience; coordinated fundraising activities; and managed a budget of $9,000. The event brought together 15 student associations with ethnic displays, food booths from 13 countries and 10 cultural performances. It attracted over 1,000 guests and has become an annual event.

Employer:	Stanford University Office of Judicial Affairs, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2006
Description:	Created promotional and educational campaigns that included posters, postcards, and brochures. Art directed the production of custom illustration by cartoonist Jorge Cham and searched for appropriate stock imagery. Webmaster: Designed department’s first universally accessible interface to facilitate access to Stanford’s academic policies. Created interface and visual design solutions from concept through final delivery (site navigation flows, detailed designs and implementation checks). http://judicialaffairs.stanford.edu

Employer:	Artificial Lift R&D Council, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Austin, TX
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2003
Description:	Designed architecture, innovative navigation and visual interface. Supervised programming team. Site features database registration forms and forums (maintained by client). http://alrdc.com

Employer:	Stanford University Office of Student Activities, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2002
Description:	Designed 2003 Student Organization Handbook dustcover jacket and stationary.

Employer:	Associated Students of Stanford University, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2002
Description:	Supported “A vision for every student” mission through outreach campaigns, including posters, postcards, flyers and T-shirt designs.

Employer:	Gender and Globalization conference, Stanford Humanities Center, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2002
Description:	Created promotional materials to enhance students’ re-examination of differences (gender, race, sexual orientation and religion).

Employer:	Center for Latin American Studies, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2002
Description:	Designed lecture visuals for Tinker Visiting Professor Luis Moreno Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor at International Criminal Court, The Hague.

Employer:	Fobdesign, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2002
Description:	Conceived front-end interface layout, developed graphics for avant-garde design and equipment website. http://www.fobdesign.com

Employer:	Webdefense, Miami, FL
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2002
Description:	Created corporate identity system for Internet Security Company.

Employer:	Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Resources Center, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2000 - November 2004
Description:	Promoted understanding of Stanford’s sexually diverse community through materials for New Student Orientation packages 2001-2004. Achieved highly positive feedback with “Embracing diversity” postcard design, which has been reprinted four times.

Employer:	Monterey Tango Tours, Monterey, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2000 - November 2001
Description:	Created promotional materials to advertise field trips to learn tango in Buenos Aires.

Employer:	Stanford University Medical Minority Alliance, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2000 - November 2001
Description:	Designed logo for multiethnic medical student group at Stanford School of Medicine, targeting Hispanic, African-American, and South Asian medical students.

Employer:	Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2000 - November 2001
Description:	Designed collaterals promoting Talking Heads international conference, with speaker J.M. Baltazar Garzón—who indicted Pinochet for crimes against humanity, was Candidate for Nobel Peace Prize.

Employer:	African Library Collection, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2000 - November 2001
Description:	Created collateral pieces to promote Directory of Internet resources about Africa.

Employer:	NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Washington, DC
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 2000 - November 2001
Description:	Created 40th anniversary bookmark for the Community Programming Section, to remind holders of the different perspectives they may encounter in their work.

Employer:	Stanford Women’s Community Center, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 1999 - November 2005
Description:	Positioned the center atop the ‘umbrella’ organizations during 2001–03 with new promotional materials (flyers, brochures, posters, bookmarks, direct mail, and newspaper ads) for Bell Hooks conference, International Women’s Days, Herstory 2002, Orientation 2001–04 events, Graduate Women of Color and Wellness programs.

Employer:	MentorNet, College of Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 1999 - November 2001
Description:	Refashioned their visual identity, creating brochures, mouse-pads, certificates, and T-shirts. Women in engineering increased their participation as mentors.

Employer:	Stanford Daily Newspaper, Stanford University, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 1999 - November 2001
Description:	Intermission graphic editor: Re-designed entire layout of entertainment section, Vol. 237–238. Generated a visual system for creating icons and graphics for featured articles, and worked with team writers to match graphics with content.

Employer:	Broadtel Wireless, Cupertino, CA
Position:	Designer | Consultant
Time period:	December 1999 - November 2000
Description:	Conceptualized and developed corporate identity, manual of style and website design.

Employer:	Typography 1, School of Architecture, Design and Urbanism, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Instructor
Time period:	December 1997 - November 1999
Description:	Annual course supervised by Design Program Chair, Prof. Enrique Longinotti. Introduced sophomores to calligraphy, the origins of type and its classifications, layout, color and bookmaking. In the second semester, students delved into digital type and integrated visual systems. Enrollment: 200. Group limit per instructor: 25.

Employer:	Apostrophe, Advertising Agency, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Associate Art Director
Time period:	December 1997 - November 1999
Description:	Responsible for design and production of advertising materials for MasterCard, Gianni Versace, Hoyts General Cinema. Prepared weekly reports and proposals. Supervised four junior designers, led creative direction and reviewed all design work to ensure quality. Served as project manager, assessing clients’ marketing needs and evaluating strategies to meet their requirements.

Employer:	Seragini Brand Design, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Design intern
Time period:	December 1997 - November 1998
Description:	Collaborated on the redesign of a more economical packaging for Georgalos (Christmas line products). Researched visual representation methods to create an image library and adjusted designs to follow consistent look across the products. Clients: Unilever, Nabisco Royal, Terrabusi.

Employer:	Proditec SRL, Design Agency, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Senior Graphic Designer
Time period:	December 1997 - November 1998
Description:	Conceived and developed persuasive visual communication pieces (catalogs, monthly calendars, posters, banners) for EXXON-MOBIL, Shell, ampm, YPF.

Employer:	Mayit SRL, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Graphic Designer
Time period:	December 1996 - November 1998
Description:	Generated 3D prototypes for point of sale displays (on PVC, acrylic and other materials). Managed image editing and prepress production. Clients: Philips, Kodak, Coca-Cola, Visa, Nabisco.

Employer:	MAB-Moda Argentina Basica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position:	Graphic Design intern
Time period:	December 1995 - November 1996
Description:	Designed identity system (logo, business cards, invoices, store bags, clothes labels), point of sale displays and outdoor signage for emerging fashion business targeted to young women (now one of the top fashion companies in Argentina).

University:	University of Texas System - Austin
Time period:	2003 - 2006
Degree:	Master of Fine Arts in Design

Articles:

~ Articles | Reviews – The Observer, University of Hartford, Interdisciplinary Learning, Water for India, Hartford, winter 2009 – Get on the Bus: Short and True Tales of Bus Travel, Anthology, CITY|SPACE, San Francisco, CA, August 2006 – Transforming the unseen, MFA Catalog, College of Fine Arts, University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2006 – Before the fall journey, newsletter article, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, Austin, TX, April 2006, p. 2 – Castillo, Salvador, MFA1–CRL, ‘Bout what I sees, Austin, TX, April 16, 2006 – Slim Shady, Fluent Collaborative, issue #51, Austin, TX, August 19, 2005 – Lantos, Jessica, Natacha Poggio, catalog, Creative Research Laboratory, Austin, TX, August 2005 – O´Donell, Santiago, Ser argentino en el valle del cambio, La Nacion, Argentina, July 17, 2000 ~ Catalogs – Fever, catalog, Creative Research Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, 2005, limited edition: 200 – Longi dame letra, catalog, Tipographia Longinotti, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1995, pp. 215-218

Sports:	skating, skydiving
Hobbies:	Traveling (in Africa, Europe and Asia) Photography (Experience using both film and digital cameras) Reading .
Clubs:	Lions Club International
Memberships:	~ American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) ~ Society of Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) ~ College Art Association (CAA) ~ Engineers Without Borders (EWB-USA)
Awards:	~ Grants • 2008: The Women’s Education and Leadership Fund, University of Hartford ($ 10,000.00) supporting trip expenses to Abheypur, India for team of six, to implement Water for India campaign. • 2008: Student Government Association, University of Hartford, sponsoring implementation of Water for India campaign ($4,800). • 2008: International Center’s Faculty Grants Program, University of Hartford ($ 1,000.00) used to internationalize the content of the “Issues in Design” course for Spring 2008. ~ Academic awards • 2005–2006: James M. (Jimmy) Malone Endowed Scholarship, The University of Texas at Austin • 2005–2006: Michael Aubrey Jones Endowed Scholarship in Art, The University of Texas at Austin • 2004–2005: Design Division Dean‘s Travel Fellowship, Department of Art and Art History, The University of Texas at Austin • 2004–2005: Marshall Wells Scholarship and Fellowship Endowment in the College of Fine Arts, The University of Texas at Austin ~ Service awards • 2004: South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive 2004 Accessibility Shoot-Out, Austin, TX • 2002: Stanford University, Stanford, CA – Bechtel International Center, Certificate of Appreciation – Dean of Students Office, Graduate Service Award – Outstanding Community Assistant, Graduate Life Office – Stanford African Student Association, Outstanding Commitment Award