Susannah Alene Mason
Q What do you do?
“I translate ideas into physical products.”
Industrial designers are the bridge between brands, UX/UI, engineers, marketers, and ultimately the everyday user. I have to know how people work. What their needs are, their frustrations and pitfalls. To design for manufacturing, especially at scale, there’s the important work of making something practical as well as aspirational. Sometimes the extent of a project is just to pitch a vision for the future, to create a flashy render or animation. Those are nice and all, but what drives me is when a product can solve an old problem in a new way- to open up our minds to alternative solutions.
All products are interwoven with story. First, the story of the process, then the story that the user co-writes over the life cycle of a product. I’m interested not only in how products come to be, but in the impact their lifespan can have on the planet and people who use them.
Oh and I also have a YouTube channel!
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
The journey to Industrial Design started in a 7th grade science competition. It was a huge deal for me at the time- I still have the plaque from winning it on my wall today. It was the first time I was asked to look for a problem in my world (a big, complicated one), and propose a solution using STEM, then test and improve it. Our 3-kid team decided to take on waste, which opened my eyes to how complicated our relationship is with the products we consume. Design is more than a product on a shelf, it’s also the systems and ways of thinking that the product exists within.
I graduated in May 2022 with a BA in Industrial and Innovative Design and immediately jumped on a plane with a bunch of my classmates and flew halfway across the world to Kosovo. It felt like a full circle moment for me when I got to serve as a judge in the first ever Kosovo STEM fair. After that, I gained experience at a small design firm in Columbus OH.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I love understanding how and why things work- I bring passionate curiosity to every project.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m working on personal branding, learning about how businesses work and how to market myself. As a personal project, I’m learning more about video production, lighting, and editing to improve my projects on my YouTube channel.
Q What’s your style?
This coffee shop project
Here's a bunch of images that feel right
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Sewing! For my capstone senior year I got to dabble in clothing design. I bought a sewing machine a few months back and I haven’t been able to use it much.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I’m super new in my career, and it feels like there’s a lot of pressure to get where I want to be as soon as possible. To get *that* job and live in *that* city, have *that* partner ASAP. Good things take time.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Social media management - I understand the importance of it but I really hate spending any time on there.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I’d travel back to my 14 year old self and tell her it’s gonna be okay. Also, don’t shave your hair. You’re interesting enough.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Building a business, the actual logistics on finances and how to make the dreams I have work practically.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Freelance projects with companies looking to freshen up their product offering through CAD modeling, product visualization or creative direction.
A forward thinking company looking to hire an Industrial Designer for a fresh perspective and consistent results.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
A client that trusts me to get them the results they’re looking for. They understand the process, and have the long-term vision in mind - and exciting ideas that make it all worth it.
I’d love to work with more innovative materials that put the planet first, and push me to learn something new.
Q What is your rate?
Every project is different, reach out and let’s talk about it!
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Email is the best! susannahalene@gmail.com
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Too many to count! But here's a few :)
Grace Tesmer
An industrial designer / artist / one of my best friends
Monica Hernandez
Monica just has a way of connecting ideas that inspires me.
Mahiro Sano
From industrial design to graphic design to studio art, there's nothing she can't do.
Michael Pitts
An amazing videographer and animator, he just brings ideas to life.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Coffee + Are.na + Art Museums
This member profile was originally published in March 2023