Bio / CV
Nikolai Cornell is an award-winning interactive producer, experience designer and creative director whose work focuses on concepting, designing and producing large-scale interactive experiences that abandon the use of a mouse in favor of natural user interaction. He enjoys exploring the intersection between physical space and interaction design as well as keeping up with the latest trends in emerging technologies, display systems, and human-scale interfaces.
Nikolai received his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech in 1997 and spent two years working for FACE Architecture in San Francisco designing interior commercial and residential spaces, before turning his attention to the field of interaction design in 1999. He worked for several years as a web designer at Razorfish, helping to design and implement user interfaces for a large variety of clients, before leaving at the end of 2001 to pursue his own projects and attend the graduate Media Design Program at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA.
In 2004, Nikolai completed his MFA in Media Design with a thesis entitled: “Life-Size - A series of interactive installations that explore human-scale interaction, environmental interface and display systems.” His MFA thesis won a gold at the Art Directors Club (ADC) 84th Awards, a silver IDEA award from the IDSA, an iF communication design award, and was featured in the I.D. Student Design Review 2005 and the Communication Arts Interactive Design Annual 11.
For several years he worked as the Director of Interactive Media at George P. Johnson in Los Angeles, CA, where he led a team that concepted, designed and developed a wide variety of different interactive installations and exhibits, all of which debuted at one of the four major North American auto shows.
From late 2008 through early 2010 he worked as a senior interactive producer at Obscura Digital, leading up a range of innovative projects including the Hard Rock Cafe Rock Wall, and the Jordan Brand Product Showcase.
He is currently a partner at PUSH Offices.
// Education:
Art Center College of Design / Pasadena, CA
MFA in Media Design
Graduated December 2004
Virginia Tech (VPI) / Blacksburg, VA
Bachelor of Architecture
Graduated May 1997
// Experience:
Apr, 2010 to present
PUSH Offices, Partner / Director of User Experience, San Francisco
Nov, 2008 to Mar, 2010
Obscura Digital, Senior Interactive Producer, San Francisco
As the senior interactive producer I was responsible for managing all aspects of a project throughout its life cycle. I worked closely and collaboratively with our design and technology teams as well as a wide variety of outside vendors and consultants to ensure that each project met the client's goals and expectations, while serving as their primary contact. Working with the sales and media teams I generated project plans, estimates, schedules, SOWs, and presentations. Clients included: Hard Rock Cafe, Jordan Brand, and Comcast.
Feb, 2006 to Feb, 2008
George P. Johnson, Director of Interactive Media, Los Angeles
As the director of interactive media I led a very talented internal team as well as managed several outside media vendors that together concepted, designed and developed a wide variety of immersive user experiences. I took on a wide variety of different roles for the projects I worked on including: interactive creative director, technology director, media producer, experience designer, interaction designer, information architect, strategist and project manager. I saw all of my projects through from concept to completion and setup, working in close collaboration with creative directors, account executives, production managers, engineers, a wide variety of design and technology vendors, carpenters and electricians in the shop and directly with GPJ on site supervisors on the auto show floor.
For eight major North American auto shows I was responsible for managing all interactive technical support needs and directed and oversaw the entire on site technical team's setup of the interactive and small scale media elements. I also spent several days at each show helping to set up the most technically challenging displays including the Infiniti Interactive Mirrors, the Nissan Interactive Wheelstands, the Scion Mix It Up Experience, the Acura Interactive Oracles, the Honda Interactive Color and Trim and the many elements of the Honda FCX Clarity Exhibit.
To complete these projects I relied on my extensive knowledge and experience using a wide variety of technologies and displays systems including plasma screens, LCDs, projectors, LEDs, touchscreens, microcontrollers, sensors, RFIDs, and media servers.
Clients included: Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, Acura, Lexus, and Scion.
Feb, 2005 - July, 2005
Hello Design, Design Director, Los Angeles
As design director I helped to lead a team of interactive designers on a wide variety of projects, overseeing them from concept to completion.
Feb, 2000 - Dec, 2001
Razorfish, Web Designer, San Francisco
I worked for this industry leading, interactive and creative consultancy that was dedicated to producing highly innovative and refined web-based systems for a large variety of clients including Cisco, McKinsey, Nextar and Nike. My expertise at the time was in designing and developing interactive online experiences in Flash.
Jan, 1998 - Nov, 1999
FACE Architecture, Architectural Designer, San Francisco
While at FACE I worked as a designer on several different interior commercial and residential projects. I helped see the projects through from inception to completion, worked on construction documents and took part in construction management. In addition to architectural work I also completed graphic design work for the firm, including posters, marketing and portfolio work.
Built projects include:
Quokka Sports - Digital Sport Entertainment
OWN+P - Advertising Agency
// Exhibitions:
“Data Poïesis”
Anderson Ranch Art's Center
(Group Show)
Aspen, CO
Feb - Apr, 2007
“Help Wanted: Collaborations in Art”
Center on Contemporary Art (COCA)
(Group Show)
Seattle, WA
Mar - Apr, 2005
“Thesis Show”
Art Center College of Design, Graduate Media Design Studio
(Group Show)
Pasadena, CA
Dec, 2004
“Merged” - AIGA Los Angeles
First collaborative exhibition of California graphic design students work
The California State University Northridge Art Gallery
(Group Show)
Northridge, CA
Oct - Nov, 2004
“The Neoteric Conjunctive: New Architecture and Environmental Design”
Japanese American Cultural Center, George J. Doizaki Gallery
(Group Show)
Los Angeles, CA
Sep - Oct, 2004
// Lectures & Presentations:
“Inspiration and Innovation”
The 14th Annual AIGA San Diego Y Design Conference
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
San Diego, CA
March 27, 2009
“From Screen to Space: Designing Large-Scale Interactive Experiences”
OFFF 2008 Lisbon
LX Factory
Lisbon, Portugal
May 08, 2008
“From Screen to Space: Designing Large-Scale Interactive Experiences”
FITC Amsterdam 2008
European Centre for Arts and Sciences
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb. 25, 2008
“GPJ - Large Scale Interactive Projects”
OMMA EXPO/sure Conference & Expo
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
Los Angeles, CA
Mar. 20, 2007
“From Screen to Space: Exploring the Emerging Field of Interactive Exhibit and Environment Design”
FITC Hollywood 2006
Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn
Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 06, 2006
“Human Scale Interactivity”
Flash Forward Conference, NY 2005
New Yorker Hotel
New York, NY
Jul. 07, 2005
“Life-Size”
UpNext: Media Design 2005
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA
Apr. 14, 2005
“Information Visualization”
(Panel discussion with Ben Fry, Marcos Weskamp, and Branden Hall)
FITC Design and Technology Conference 2005
Westin Harbour Castle
Toronto, Canada
Apr. 11, 2005
“Human Scale Interaction”
FITC Design and Technology Conference 2005
Westin Harbour Castle
Toronto, Canada
Apr. 10, 2005
“Beyond the Mouse - Human Interaction in Flash”
Flash in the Can Design and Technology Events - 4 City Tour
York Event Theatre
Toronto, Canada
Oct. 19, 2004
// Workshops:
“Designing Interactive Installations”
Shakerag Workshops at St. Andrew's-Sewanee School
Sewanee, Tennessee
Jun. 10-16, 2007
“Interactive Installation Design”
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Aspen, Colorado
Sep. 18-22, 2006
// Judging:
Communication Arts Interactive Annual 16
2009
// Press:
“Web Design: Portfolios”, Ed. Julius Wiedermann, Taschen, Köln, 2005
I.D. Magazine, “Playing for Keeps”, March / April 2005
LINO Magazine, “Nikolai Cornell - Shadow and Light”, Issue No.8 2004/05
SOMA Magazine, “On the Verge”, Vol 18.7, 2004
// Language:
I am fluent in both English and German.
Nikolai received his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech in 1997 and spent two years working for FACE Architecture in San Francisco designing interior commercial and residential spaces, before turning his attention to the field of interaction design in 1999. He worked for several years as a web designer at Razorfish, helping to design and implement user interfaces for a large variety of clients, before leaving at the end of 2001 to pursue his own projects and attend the graduate Media Design Program at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA.
In 2004, Nikolai completed his MFA in Media Design with a thesis entitled: “Life-Size - A series of interactive installations that explore human-scale interaction, environmental interface and display systems.” His MFA thesis won a gold at the Art Directors Club (ADC) 84th Awards, a silver IDEA award from the IDSA, an iF communication design award, and was featured in the I.D. Student Design Review 2005 and the Communication Arts Interactive Design Annual 11.
For several years he worked as the Director of Interactive Media at George P. Johnson in Los Angeles, CA, where he led a team that concepted, designed and developed a wide variety of different interactive installations and exhibits, all of which debuted at one of the four major North American auto shows.
From late 2008 through early 2010 he worked as a senior interactive producer at Obscura Digital, leading up a range of innovative projects including the Hard Rock Cafe Rock Wall, and the Jordan Brand Product Showcase.
He is currently a partner at PUSH Offices.
// Education:
Art Center College of Design / Pasadena, CA
MFA in Media Design
Graduated December 2004
Virginia Tech (VPI) / Blacksburg, VA
Bachelor of Architecture
Graduated May 1997
// Experience:
Apr, 2010 to present
PUSH Offices, Partner / Director of User Experience, San Francisco
Nov, 2008 to Mar, 2010
Obscura Digital, Senior Interactive Producer, San Francisco
As the senior interactive producer I was responsible for managing all aspects of a project throughout its life cycle. I worked closely and collaboratively with our design and technology teams as well as a wide variety of outside vendors and consultants to ensure that each project met the client's goals and expectations, while serving as their primary contact. Working with the sales and media teams I generated project plans, estimates, schedules, SOWs, and presentations. Clients included: Hard Rock Cafe, Jordan Brand, and Comcast.
Feb, 2006 to Feb, 2008
George P. Johnson, Director of Interactive Media, Los Angeles
As the director of interactive media I led a very talented internal team as well as managed several outside media vendors that together concepted, designed and developed a wide variety of immersive user experiences. I took on a wide variety of different roles for the projects I worked on including: interactive creative director, technology director, media producer, experience designer, interaction designer, information architect, strategist and project manager. I saw all of my projects through from concept to completion and setup, working in close collaboration with creative directors, account executives, production managers, engineers, a wide variety of design and technology vendors, carpenters and electricians in the shop and directly with GPJ on site supervisors on the auto show floor.
For eight major North American auto shows I was responsible for managing all interactive technical support needs and directed and oversaw the entire on site technical team's setup of the interactive and small scale media elements. I also spent several days at each show helping to set up the most technically challenging displays including the Infiniti Interactive Mirrors, the Nissan Interactive Wheelstands, the Scion Mix It Up Experience, the Acura Interactive Oracles, the Honda Interactive Color and Trim and the many elements of the Honda FCX Clarity Exhibit.
To complete these projects I relied on my extensive knowledge and experience using a wide variety of technologies and displays systems including plasma screens, LCDs, projectors, LEDs, touchscreens, microcontrollers, sensors, RFIDs, and media servers.
Clients included: Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, Acura, Lexus, and Scion.
Feb, 2005 - July, 2005
Hello Design, Design Director, Los Angeles
As design director I helped to lead a team of interactive designers on a wide variety of projects, overseeing them from concept to completion.
Feb, 2000 - Dec, 2001
Razorfish, Web Designer, San Francisco
I worked for this industry leading, interactive and creative consultancy that was dedicated to producing highly innovative and refined web-based systems for a large variety of clients including Cisco, McKinsey, Nextar and Nike. My expertise at the time was in designing and developing interactive online experiences in Flash.
Jan, 1998 - Nov, 1999
FACE Architecture, Architectural Designer, San Francisco
While at FACE I worked as a designer on several different interior commercial and residential projects. I helped see the projects through from inception to completion, worked on construction documents and took part in construction management. In addition to architectural work I also completed graphic design work for the firm, including posters, marketing and portfolio work.
Built projects include:
Quokka Sports - Digital Sport Entertainment
OWN+P - Advertising Agency
// Exhibitions:
“Data Poïesis”
Anderson Ranch Art's Center
(Group Show)
Aspen, CO
Feb - Apr, 2007
“Help Wanted: Collaborations in Art”
Center on Contemporary Art (COCA)
(Group Show)
Seattle, WA
Mar - Apr, 2005
“Thesis Show”
Art Center College of Design, Graduate Media Design Studio
(Group Show)
Pasadena, CA
Dec, 2004
“Merged” - AIGA Los Angeles
First collaborative exhibition of California graphic design students work
The California State University Northridge Art Gallery
(Group Show)
Northridge, CA
Oct - Nov, 2004
“The Neoteric Conjunctive: New Architecture and Environmental Design”
Japanese American Cultural Center, George J. Doizaki Gallery
(Group Show)
Los Angeles, CA
Sep - Oct, 2004
// Lectures & Presentations:
“Inspiration and Innovation”
The 14th Annual AIGA San Diego Y Design Conference
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
San Diego, CA
March 27, 2009
“From Screen to Space: Designing Large-Scale Interactive Experiences”
OFFF 2008 Lisbon
LX Factory
Lisbon, Portugal
May 08, 2008
“From Screen to Space: Designing Large-Scale Interactive Experiences”
FITC Amsterdam 2008
European Centre for Arts and Sciences
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb. 25, 2008
“GPJ - Large Scale Interactive Projects”
OMMA EXPO/sure Conference & Expo
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
Los Angeles, CA
Mar. 20, 2007
“From Screen to Space: Exploring the Emerging Field of Interactive Exhibit and Environment Design”
FITC Hollywood 2006
Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn
Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 06, 2006
“Human Scale Interactivity”
Flash Forward Conference, NY 2005
New Yorker Hotel
New York, NY
Jul. 07, 2005
“Life-Size”
UpNext: Media Design 2005
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA
Apr. 14, 2005
“Information Visualization”
(Panel discussion with Ben Fry, Marcos Weskamp, and Branden Hall)
FITC Design and Technology Conference 2005
Westin Harbour Castle
Toronto, Canada
Apr. 11, 2005
“Human Scale Interaction”
FITC Design and Technology Conference 2005
Westin Harbour Castle
Toronto, Canada
Apr. 10, 2005
“Beyond the Mouse - Human Interaction in Flash”
Flash in the Can Design and Technology Events - 4 City Tour
York Event Theatre
Toronto, Canada
Oct. 19, 2004
// Workshops:
“Designing Interactive Installations”
Shakerag Workshops at St. Andrew's-Sewanee School
Sewanee, Tennessee
Jun. 10-16, 2007
“Interactive Installation Design”
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Aspen, Colorado
Sep. 18-22, 2006
// Judging:
Communication Arts Interactive Annual 16
2009
// Press:
“Web Design: Portfolios”, Ed. Julius Wiedermann, Taschen, Köln, 2005
I.D. Magazine, “Playing for Keeps”, March / April 2005
LINO Magazine, “Nikolai Cornell - Shadow and Light”, Issue No.8 2004/05
SOMA Magazine, “On the Verge”, Vol 18.7, 2004
// Language:
I am fluent in both English and German.