MICHAEL WERST Design

MICHAEL WERST Design

ABOUT.

SOFT GOODS ✦ FURNITURE ✦

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.

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

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

Open Source Contributions

Hiking

Outdoor Activities

Science Fiction

Contact

Get in touch

Follow me

LinkedIn

Instagram