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Aahana Banker

Aahana Banker

Brooklyn, NY, US

 
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About 

As the Lead Designer and Brand Strategist at Obsess, I have led creative AR/VR immersive projects for some of the top brands among various verticals - both B2B and B2C use cases, such as E.L.F. Cosmetics, Cintas, Disney, Universal Music Group, Johnson & Johnson, J. Crew, Alo, Figs, Prada, HEB, St. Jude, American Girl, Elizabeth Arden and more.

Pushing the envelope in blending ecommerce with captivating spatial narratives, elevating brand identities and driving substantial engagement, my role involves overseeing, ideating, and weaving in brand identity with storytelling and immersive spatial design, from inception to completion, as well as exploring new 3D immersive pipelines to ensure each experience surpasses industry benchmarks and resonates with users.

With a Master's from Columbia University and a Bachelor's from CEPT, my foundation in architecture fuels my design philosophy. Harnessing tools like Blender, Rhino, 3Ds Max, Unreal Engine, VRay, Figma, The Adobe Suite and Quixel Mixer, I translate complex concepts into tangible experiences. My journey as an architect and creative strategist throughout the years mirrors my commitment to innovation and excellence in creating spaces that both intrigue and inspire.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Obsess VR, New York, NY, US, Lead Designer and Creative Strategist

- Spearheaded the end-to-end creative journey, assuming sole stewardship from conceptualization to realization, ensuring each project surpassed industry standards, client expectations and set new benchmarks.
- Directed and orchestrated creative and innovative design initiatives, to craft cutting-edge, immersive virtual experiential ecommerce-backed spatial experiences.
- Revolutionized brand identities through strategic creative direction, integrating ecommerce elements into immersive spatial designs to drive unprecedented engagement and conversion rates.
- Conceptualized and executed comprehensive design strategies, harnessing a blend of artistry and technical prowess to deliver captivating, user-centric experiences that captivated and converted target audiences.
- Demonstrated mastery in 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering with precision to achieve realism, pushing the boundaries of innovation to create immersive environments that redefined the ecommerce landscape.
- Exemplified unwavering reliability and work ethic, consistently delivering exceptional results on time and within budget, earning the trust and respect of colleagues and clients alike.
- Excelled in high-pressure environments, effortlessly juggling multiple projects with grace and efficiency, prioritizing tasks with strategic foresight to ensure seamless project workflows and timely deliverables.
- Infused designs with compelling narratives and emotive depth, employing advanced storytelling techniques and dynamic visual compositions to elevate brand storytelling and enrich user experiences.
- Forged strong, collaborative partnerships through clear and concise communication, adeptly articulating ideas and concepts to diverse stakeholders to ensure alignment and surpass project objectives.
- Orchestrated the development of pipelines for 3d modeling, texturing and post-processing and strategic marketing endeavors, optimizing project impact and delivering unparalleled ROI for esteemed clientele.

Aug 2022 - current
 

dtls. Architecture, New York, NY, US, Architecture Photographer

- Produced meticulously crafted compositions using cutting-edge DSLR and iPhone technology, tailored to perfection for web platforms and portfolio showcases, resulting in heightened engagement and retention metrics.
- Elevated architectural imagery through rigorous post-processing methodologies, enriching spatial narratives while preserving the integrity of materiality, texture, and ambiance.
- Facilitated seamless client interactions with a professional communication approach, adeptly managing all aspects of media production from scheduling to on-site execution, ultimately fostering enhanced satisfaction and enduring partnerships.

Feb 2022 - Jun 2022
 

The Somerset House, New York, NY, US, Editorial, Graphic Design and Photography Intern

- Spearheaded a substantial increase in ecommerce sales by revolutionizing visual communication strategies, editorial designs, and graphic layouts, delivering impactful content that resonated with target audiences.
- Elevated product appeal through strategic creative direction, orchestrating compelling photography, lighting techniques, and stage setups, resulting in heightened consumer interest and engagement.
- Drove product sales growth through meticulous refinement of product content, descriptions, and specifications.
- Applied expert post-production techniques to enhance imagery and visual content, spotlighting product details, craftsmanship, and timelines to captivate audiences.
- Revolutionized interior design presentations by employing cutting-edge 3D modeling techniques to digitally conceptualize environments and furniture layouts.
- Leveraged virtual reality technology to amplify user interactivity and ensure immersive experiences.
- Amplified digital communication effectiveness through dynamic social media content, web launches, invitations, and websites.
- Employed editorial and typographic design principles to create visually compelling assets that captivated audiences and reinforced brand identity.

Feb 2022 - May 2022
 

Columbia University, New York, NY, US, Exhibition Designer and Editorial Assistant

- Optimized viewer engagement through exhibition layouts aligned with the school's social media aesthetic, prioritizing both intuitive navigation and compliance with ADA accessibility guidelines.
- Enhanced project effectiveness by meticulously curating exhibition content for maximum visibility and visual appeal, ensuring a captivating experience for attendees.
- Increased viewer turnout by designing compelling graphic and poster elements, strategically crafted to appeal to diverse audiences and elevate the overall impact of the exhibition.

Aug 2021 - Sep 2021
 

Fernando Menis, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, ES, Architecture Intern

Auditorio Teobaldo Power (Reconstruction):
- Elevated the reconstruction process by meticulously refining drawings with a focus on climate and site-responsive construction details, seamlessly integrating enhancements while preserving the auditorium's aesthetic integrity.
- Drove client engagement through the creation of interactive 3D and physical models, fostering deeper understanding and collaboration.
- Played a pivotal role in project leadership, collaborating closely with the Principal Architect to guide the design team from conceptualization to execution, ensuring a cohesive and successful outcome.

Cape Verde | World Bank (Urban Planning):
- Led the refinement of urban planning proposals, leveraging expertise to enhance presentations with immersive virtual reality experiences.
- Oversaw the meticulous development of construction drawings, integrating climate-responsive solutions to optimize project sustainability and functionality.
- Revolutionized stakeholder communication through the creation of a dynamic project website, enhancing user interactivity and reinforcing project vision and impact.

Music Hall, Katowice (Competition):
- Contributed innovative design concepts during the competition's conceptual stage, demonstrating creativity and vision in shaping architectural narratives and solutions.

Jun 2019 - Nov 2019
 

Education 

Columbia University, New York, NY, US, Masters, Advanced Architectural Design

Jun 2021 - May 2022
 

CEPT University, Ahmedabad, IN, BArch, Architecture

Aug 2016 - Jun 2021
 

ETH Zürich, Zürich, CH, BArch, Digital Architectonics

Jan 2020 - Sep 2020
 

Awards 

Best Outgoing: Award for Academic Excellence, Award

Awarded to one outgoing student for overall academic contribution and excellence over the span of five years.

2022
 

360 Degree Projects: Gold Medal for Academic Excellence, Award

Issued by Gujarat Institute of Civil Engineers and Architects

2022
 

CEPT Excellence Award ‘21, Award

The CEPT Excellence Award recognizes and celebrates excellence in student work at CEPT. The exhibition showcases the 15 best projects in form of drawings, models and portfolios from across students from all five years of faculties of Architecture, Design and Planning Faculties.

2021
 

CEPT Excellence Award ‘19, Award

The CEPT Excellence Award recognizes and celebrates excellence in student work at CEPT. The exhibition showcases the 20 best projects in form of drawings, models and portfolios from across students from all five years of faculties of Architecture, Design and Planning Faculties.

2019
 

Faculty Level Award for Academic Excellence, Award

Faculty level awards are awarded annually to students of Interim Years for each program based wholly or substantially on demonstrable academic excellence.

2017
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills