Alberto Elizondo (b. 1985)
phone: +39 339 347 4920
email: albertelo[at]gmail[dot]com
skype: albertelo
web: http://www.albertoelizondo.com
Education
Lincoln High School in San José, Costa Rica. I completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma program in Fine Arts, History and Spanish.
Undergraduate degree in Graphic Design at Veritas University of San José, Costa Rica.
Current: Graduate degree in Visual and Multimedia Design, specialising in Interaction Design, at IUAV, University of Venice.
Estimated graduation date: April 2012.
Experience
IDEO (internship – 4 months)
At IDEO I worked in different projects that spanned from health services to media entertainment. My responsibilities included making prototypes, producing video scenarios, sketching proposals, visualizing concepts, designing interfaces and doing design research.
Funpadem (internship – 6 months)
I worked as an editorial design intern in the editorial branch of Costa Rican NGO Funpadem. The organization was born in 1988 as a result of the peace process in Central America at the time. The organization has furthered the ideal of a development centered on the people’s well being through projects and initiatives aiming at the strengthening of political, economic and social institutions.
Lift Brand (1 year)
Lift Brand is a small marketing and design agency in San José, Costa Rica. I worked on projects related to corporate identity, re-branding, editorial design, web and illustration.
Immersive Interactive Environment (Three day workshop)
During May of 2010 I participated in a three day interaction design workshop with Roberto Vitalini & Paolo Solcia about spatial audiovisual interaction at Lugano Switzerland organized by SUPSI.
Elettrofoscari Hardware Hacking Workshop (Five day workshop)
I participated in a five day workshop about handmade electronic music with Nicolas Collins during February 2011. Among the projects made during the workshop were finding new sounds on toys (circuit-bending), building oscillators and small cost amplifiers.
Other experience
Intensa (10 months)
I worked as an English teacher at language institute Intensa in San José, Costa Rica.
Habitat for Humanity
I’ve participated as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity throughout the years. I’ve participated in construction projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Profile
My main interests in interaction design are the new connections and possibilities that arise thanks to the constant growth of ubiquitous technology. I’m also interested in data visualization (see example) and the creative approach of presenting information. DIY electronics and finding new uses in old electronic devices such as toys is something that also excites me.
Strengths
My strengths are in concept and scenario development, graphic layouts, video scenarios and user workflow. I’m comfortable working in teams and also organizing them. Exchanging points of view and enriching them with sane discussions is one of my favorite parts of developing a project.
Skills
Good in Adobe CS4 Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash.
Proficient in Processing and Arduino.
Proficient in HTML and CSS.
Basic knowledge in electronics.
Awards
Semifinalist in the mobile category of the Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2009 for Fidelio (see below).
Languages
I’m fluent in Spanish, English and Italian.
Portfolio
Project done with Roberto Picerno and Francesca Pizzutilo. Lullaby is an interactive quilt that permits real-time communication with gestures. It’s intended for two members of the same family who want to share bedtime together. The quilt is designed to be used on a bed, but is portable so it can be used in other spaces. Ideally it would be used during nighttime when communication is more intimate and absence is felt more keenly. The main purpose is to keep an intimate link between two people who are separated. It works in an intimate mental space that is otherwise lost.
Project done with Fabrizio Tronchin and Nicola Vittori. We were asked to imagine a type of society that might have developed in Venice if history had been different. For our Venice hypothetical we imagined a society that rejects modernism, nostalgic for Venice’s ancient splendour. Fidelio is a mobile application for aspiring members of an elitist club which aims to renew Venice’s glory, restoring and preserving its ancient splendor, idolizing beauty, form, good manners. The mission of Fidelio is to build a gentleman.
Project done with Maria Gabriella Astolfo and Marco Righetto. Routes is an alternative signage system that allows strangers to discover the city’s shortcuts, experiencing the city in a way that makes them feel local. When the user activates the installation a ‘guide’ appears and shows the path by light and sound.
Project done with Gianni Cardone, Daniele Muscella and Nicola Vittori. We were asked to think about an interactive installation inside the villa. After searching the place we were immediately impressed by a dining room. It had interesting characteristics such as: strong acoustics, old furniture, a theatrical appearance and a stern feeling like a monastery.