Dana Nelson
About Dana Nelson
Dana Nelson is a Design Research Lead at IDEO, specializing in service design and user experience. With a diverse background in design and research, she has held various roles at organizations such as Sutter Health and Ready, and has a strong focus on integrating audience insights into the design process.
Current Role at IDEO
Dana Nelson serves as the Design Research Lead at IDEO, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on integrating user insights into the design process, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of the target audience are central to the projects she undertakes. Her responsibilities include synthesizing complex information into actionable insights and facilitating collaboration among team members.
Previous Experience in Design and Innovation
Prior to her role at IDEO, Dana held several positions in design and innovation. She worked at Sutter Health as an Experience Designer from 2016 to 2019 and briefly as a Senior Service Designer in 2019. Additionally, she served as a User Experience Design Lead and later as Director of Human Centered Design at Ready from 2020 to 2021. Her experience includes roles that required a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles.
Educational Background
Dana Nelson has pursued a diverse educational path. She studied at the University of Rochester, earning Bachelor's degrees in both Spanish Language and Literature and International Relations and Affairs from 2005 to 2009. She later attended General Assembly, completing a UX Design Immersive program in 2015. Additionally, she is currently studying Graphic Design at UC Berkeley Extension, with her studies ongoing from 2018 to 2020.
Design Approach and Specialization
Dana Nelson is known for her unique approach to design, which emphasizes integrating the essence of the target audience throughout the design process. She specializes in synthesizing complex information into actionable insights, particularly in the early phases of service design projects. Her ability to utilize visual storytelling techniques, such as sketching and storyboarding, enhances her design work and facilitates effective communication of ideas.
Early Career and Internships
Dana began her career with various roles that laid the foundation for her expertise in design and user experience. She interned at Child Family Health International from 2013 to 2014 and worked as a Family Advocate with AmeriCorps from 2012 to 2013. These early experiences contributed to her understanding of user needs and service design, shaping her future roles in the industry.