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Nina Blanco

Nina Blanco

Ewa Beach, HI, US

 

About 

The marriage of problem solving and creative thinking has always been the most fascinating and riveting aspect of design in the built environment. The practice of imagination through analysis of realistic boundaries and humanistic needs is a challenge that is not only a rigorous one of meticulous collaboration but also one with immense power. The ability to affect the way people move, think and feel is what keeps me captivated and striving to design whether it is within a single structure, community or large urban scale.

Since graduating from the Academy of Art University with a BFA in Interior Architecture and Design in 2010, I have traveled independently through Europe as well as participated in a number of personal enrichment opportunities. Completing the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Career Discovery program with a concentration in urban planning has exposed me to the holistic and policy-driven aspect of the built environment. Interning with the United States Green Building Council—Illinois Chapter, volunteering at the AIA Women’s Leadership Development Summit and taking on a number of small-scale spatial design projects has kept me occupied around current industry trends and concerns while allowing me to exercise my problem solving and design skills.

Through my affinity for people, whether they are a client or a teammate, it is in my nature to communicate effectively, take the lead when necessary and strive to exceed expectations. My perfectionist attention to detail, ability to learn quickly and experience in a number of fast-paced, high-pressure environments has enabled me to grow accustomed to multi-tasking and getting the job done and done right. My keen sense of problem solving and self-starting has allowed me to take on the leadership role in all of my team projects as a student as well as within other work environments. 

Elsewhere:

Employment 

United States Green Building Council, Illinois Chapter, Intern

Utilized Microsoft Excel; organized media communications information

Feb 2011 - Apr 2011
 

Light Me Up, Turn Me On (Lighting Design + Distribution Showroom), Intern, Part-Time

General office management
Utilized QuickBooks; purchase orders, accounting, inventory management
Oversaw quality control of showroom shipments
Assisted with AutoCAD lighting plans, schedules, specifications
Follow up all on-site deliveries
Liaison between clients and vendors

Feb 2008 - Dec 2009
 

Education 

Harvard University, Urban Planning

Intense studio-based summer program which introduces the processes of urban planning at small and large scales. The program allowed us to engage in the orchestrating of the overall process of city building, focus on strategies for implementation and establish policies to guide development. Studies focused on synthesizing physical design with issues such as transportation, environment, economic development, land use regulation, housing, and community involvement. Furthermore, the studio work was complemented with a variety of lectures and workshops parallel to exploring planning ideas, basic urban elements, forms of communication, and the integration of these in generating plans for complex settings.

Jun 2011 - Jul 2011
 

Academy Of Art University, Bachelors, Interior Architecture and Design

Software skills obtained:
Microsoft Office, AutoCAD 2009, ArchiCAD 2009, Adobe CS5 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver), 3D Studio Max, QuickBooks

Senior Studios:
Commercial Design
Green Design

Sep 2006 - Aug 2010
 

Skills