Status: I am currently accepting freelance projects for March 2013.

About

Jim Schachterle
E: jschachterle at gmail.com
P: 314-518-5528

Brooklyn, NY

Experience

November 2012 to Present

Designer, Jim Schachterle Design

May 2011 to October 2012

Senior Designer, SYPartners

September 2010 to April 2011

Interactive Art Director, Code and Theory

July 2010 to August 2010

Contract Strategist, C2

October 2008 to June 2010

Partner & Creative Director, BeDo

October 2007 to December 2007

Strategy Intern, Unboundary

Inspire, lead, and design great thinking

I have worked with Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profits, and social enterprises on a broad range of design projects including the creation of web platforms, visual identity systems, large campaigns, and visionary stories.

Before joining SYPartners, I was an Interactive Art Director at Code and Theory and the Creative Director at BeDo. During my career, I have worked with Better World Books, Citigroup, Club Med, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, IBM, Johnson and Johnson, Mulino Bianco, and others. I am passionate about thinking, designing, and doing the right thing.

Process

A significant amount of thought has been given to the design process. Normally, there are four phases in any design process: discovery, exploration, refinement, and production. These phases can be dissected, transmuted, and endlessly revisited. In my work, I've reduced every stage of the process to modes of human connection.

LISTEN: The Art of Hearing

In the beginning of the process, listening is critical, whether you are listening to the client, their customers, other experts, or members of your team. Listening leads to understanding, and though it is often difficult to suspend judgement, this phase of the process inevitably results in deep and rich thinking, from which other ideas can spring.

THINK: The Art of Consideration

Next, you have to think. We've all heard the adage, "Think before you act." Yet, as we progress through a series of problems, we often proceed as if we know an answer, when in fact, we haven't even asked the right questions. It sounds so simple, but every issue must be considered. Thinking can happen in groups or individually. It can happen in the shower or the office. It can be organic or linear. Ultimately, thinking is elevated by simplifying and clearly articulating the problem.

ACT: The Art of Execution

Once you've thoroughly thought about every facet of the project, it's time to act. Acting can take many forms. You can design a solution to the perceived problem. You can organize a meeting with the client to reveal your findings. You can create an experiment that tests your hypothesis. The way in which you act should correlate to your thoughts concerning the best possible solution. These steps can and should be repeated until the client is comfortable with your solution. Acting is a means to an end, a way to fully express your thinking.

ENJOY: The Point of Good Work

Finally, you should enjoy the outcome of your work, and whenever possible, you should extend your enjoyment to the client. We only understand the value of the party, when we free ourselves to enjoy it. This is often the most difficult part of the process; yet, if we hope to maintain our enthusiasm for designing, enjoyment is critical. It lets us move beyond the problem, giving us space to accept the solution.

Clients

Interactive Design

Strategic Design

  • BeDo
  • Citigroup
  • Deloitte
  • Johnson and Johnson
  • IBM

Editorial Design

Experience Design