Michael
Michael
Werst
Werst
Design
Design
I'm Michael Werst
Michael Werst
Driven by a desire to continually do more—create more, design more, care more, solve more, learn more, and use less.
Driven by a desire to continually do more—create more, design more, care more, solve more, learn more, and use less.
Soft goods
Soft goods
designer
designer
Featured work
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ABOUT mE.
Michael Werst
Soft goods and furniture designer
Hello! I’m Michael Werst, a softgoods and furniture designer currently studying Industrial Design at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). My journey into design is driven by a passion for combining functionality with aesthetic appeal, specializing in creating innovative, user-centric softgoods.
When I am not designing, you can catch me training on my Sunday long run (psst, I am currently training for a marathon), watching Formula 1, cliff skiing or insert other season specific adrenaline activity, or reading my most recent book in a hammock.
Professional experiences
Product Design Co-op
Noxgear, Columbus, OH
Aug 2024 - Dec 2024
Developed and implemented an innovative ad creation workflow using Figma, slashing development time by 95%, significantly accelerating campaign rollouts. Established a comprehensive SOP for file and media storage, improving team efficiency and accessibility. Led the prototyping of a new thermal wearable designed for cold environments, focusing on targeted heating, seamless electronics integration, and ergonomic design resulting in overwhelmingly positive feedback from initial user tests.
Product Design Co-op
Noxgear, Columbus, OH
Aug 2024 - Dec 2024
Developed and implemented an innovative ad creation workflow using Figma, slashing development time by 95%, significantly accelerating campaign rollouts. Established a comprehensive SOP for file and media storage, improving team efficiency and accessibility. Led the prototyping of a new thermal wearable designed for cold environments, focusing on targeted heating, seamless electronics integration, and ergonomic design resulting in overwhelmingly positive feedback from initial user tests.
Product Design Co-op
Noxgear, Columbus, OH
Aug 2024 - Dec 2024
Developed and implemented an innovative ad creation workflow using Figma, slashing development time by 95%, significantly accelerating campaign rollouts. Established a comprehensive SOP for file and media storage, improving team efficiency and accessibility. Led the prototyping of a new thermal wearable designed for cold environments, focusing on targeted heating, seamless electronics integration, and ergonomic design resulting in overwhelmingly positive feedback from initial user tests.
Innovation Design Co-op
Procter & Gamble, Mason, OH
Jan 2024 - Apr 2024
Executed detailed market research and user testing on storyboard designs, extracting key insights for product development. Applied new chemistry skills to integrate innovative materials into designs targeting a $2 billion market. Revamped office layout and furniture selection, optimizing space utilization and employee comfort, thereby boosting overall productivity.
Innovation Design Co-op
Procter & Gamble, Mason, OH
Jan 2024 - Apr 2024
Executed detailed market research and user testing on storyboard designs, extracting key insights for product development. Applied new chemistry skills to integrate innovative materials into designs targeting a $2 billion market. Revamped office layout and furniture selection, optimizing space utilization and employee comfort, thereby boosting overall productivity.
Innovation Design Co-op
Procter & Gamble, Mason, OH
Jan 2024 - Apr 2024
Executed detailed market research and user testing on storyboard designs, extracting key insights for product development. Applied new chemistry skills to integrate innovative materials into designs targeting a $2 billion market. Revamped office layout and furniture selection, optimizing space utilization and employee comfort, thereby boosting overall productivity.
Innovation Design Engineer Co-op
Procter & Gamble, Mason, OH
May 2023 - Aug 2023
Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to translate technical concepts into tangible results. Conducted consumer interviews, integrated feedback into iterative prototyping, and delivered superior product positioning. Presented strategic recommendations to industry leaders and facilitated cross-functional project management.
Innovation Design Engineer Co-op
Procter & Gamble, Mason, OH
May 2023 - Aug 2023
Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to translate technical concepts into tangible results. Conducted consumer interviews, integrated feedback into iterative prototyping, and delivered superior product positioning. Presented strategic recommendations to industry leaders and facilitated cross-functional project management.
Innovation Design Engineer Co-op
Procter & Gamble, Mason, OH
May 2023 - Aug 2023
Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to translate technical concepts into tangible results. Conducted consumer interviews, integrated feedback into iterative prototyping, and delivered superior product positioning. Presented strategic recommendations to industry leaders and facilitated cross-functional project management.
P.O.P. Display Structural Design Co-op
Pratt Industries Display, Mason, OH
Aug 2022 - Dec 2022
Developed corrugate cardboard furniture line for emergency disaster relief events and pop-up use, mastering ArtiosCAD software for rapid prototyping and leveraging Kongsberg cutting tables to prepare client demos.
P.O.P. Display Structural Design Co-op
Pratt Industries Display, Mason, OH
Aug 2022 - Dec 2022
Developed corrugate cardboard furniture line for emergency disaster relief events and pop-up use, mastering ArtiosCAD software for rapid prototyping and leveraging Kongsberg cutting tables to prepare client demos.
P.O.P. Display Structural Design Co-op
Pratt Industries Display, Mason, OH
Aug 2022 - Dec 2022
Developed corrugate cardboard furniture line for emergency disaster relief events and pop-up use, mastering ArtiosCAD software for rapid prototyping and leveraging Kongsberg cutting tables to prepare client demos.
Design & Fabrication Intern
Cain Cain Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Jan 2022 - Apr 2022
Designed and crafted diverse elements for furniture, events, and art installations; Partnered with high-profile clients including Vimeo and Beat Bobby Flay.
Design & Fabrication Intern
Cain Cain Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Jan 2022 - Apr 2022
Designed and crafted diverse elements for furniture, events, and art installations; Partnered with high-profile clients including Vimeo and Beat Bobby Flay.
Design & Fabrication Intern
Cain Cain Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Jan 2022 - Apr 2022
Designed and crafted diverse elements for furniture, events, and art installations; Partnered with high-profile clients including Vimeo and Beat Bobby Flay.
Shop Hand
Tree City Woodworking, Boise, ID
Apr 2021 - Aug 2021
Manufactured, assembled, and installed high end cabinetry for luxury homes. Conducted rigorous quality assurance to ensure superior craftsmanship.
Shop Hand
Tree City Woodworking, Boise, ID
Apr 2021 - Aug 2021
Manufactured, assembled, and installed high end cabinetry for luxury homes. Conducted rigorous quality assurance to ensure superior craftsmanship.
Shop Hand
Tree City Woodworking, Boise, ID
Apr 2021 - Aug 2021
Manufactured, assembled, and installed high end cabinetry for luxury homes. Conducted rigorous quality assurance to ensure superior craftsmanship.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, Cincinnati, OH
Graduated: May 2025
Skills
Rapid Sketching
Sewing
Tech pack Creation
Weaving
Woodworking
TIG Welding
3d Printing
Prototying
origami
Photoshop
Indesign
illustrator
Figma
Framer
Fusion 360
Keyshot
Python
Procreate
ArtiosCad
Rhino 7
Microsoft Suite
Involvement & Honors
Habitat for Humanity
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
Karen Wellington Foundation
UC Knits
UC Ski and Snowboard Club
Interests
Hiking
Skiing
Running
Lifting
Artificial Intelligence
Science fiction
Formula 1
Lego
Crochet
Thriller horror film
Backpacks
Adrenaline sports
Statistics
Football
Football (The other kind)
Get in touch
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Michael Werst
Industrial Designer
Hello! I’m Michael Werst, a softgoods and furniture designer currently studying Industrial Design at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). My journey into design is driven by a passion for combining functionality with aesthetic appeal, specializing in creating innovative, user-centric softgoods.
When I am not designing, you can catch me training on my Sunday long run (psst, I am currently training for a marathon), watching Formula 1, cliff skiing or insert other season specific adrenaline activity, or reading my most recent book in a hammock.
Michael Werst
Michael Werst Design
Michael Werst