Kayla Thompson

About Kayla Thompson

After acquiring my industrial design degree, I\'ve been on a mission to expand my problem-solving and ideation skills to improve human experiences beyond physical products. Through my work as a freelancer, I\'ve outlined roots for positive changes within large organizations and institutions centered on the well-being of the general populace. As the pandemic took over, I unexpectedly switched gears to canvas for environmental causes, rallying support from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. This surprising career gap increased my empathy and understanding of how to draw true thoughts and perspectives from users. As a Design Strategist at Smart Design, I\'ve led and assisted in recruiting, moderation, workshop facilitation, synthesis, and creating actionable recommendations for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to nimble startups. This experience added skills to the toolbelt including client relations, research operations, quantitative, and evaluative research methods yielding innovative and resonate outcomes for clients. Characterized as a dedicated individual, I push boundaries and approach challenges with boundless creativity kookiness, and positivity.( You know, to make things interesting! No reason to not have fun making change!) Whether you\'re interested in exploring potential job opportunities, have burning questions, or simply want to share a laugh, don\'t hesitate to reach out—I\'m always up for an engaging conversation!

Experience

1. Design Researcher

   P9 Innovation

   Jan 2026 — Present · Edgewater, NJ, US

Education

• School of Visual Arts

  Design Writing Residency

  2024 — 2024

• Lawrence Technological University

  Bachelor’s Degree

  2015 — 2019