Hi! I’m Jeremy

As someone born and raised in suburban New Jersey, just minutes away from Rutgers University’s main campus, I have always been accustomed to diversity. I grew up in large town where various cultures and races co-existed and still continues to diversify. Throughout my primary school life, my friend groups included people from all walks of life. It’s what I love most about central New Jersey; genuine people with colorful backgrounds. I fell in love with hip-hop music while growing up and began creating it myself, meshing it with classic 70’s influences from oldies my dad always listened to on car rides.

As a sneaker collector at a very young age, my mind was made by middle school that I was destined to become a sneaker designer. I idolized Tinker Hatfield like any other Nike/Air Jordan fan does. That passion is what led me to industrial design. But through my education, I learned that I didn’t only care about what is affecting people’s feet, but what is affecting their lives. As I gained empathy for users, I began to focus on designing experiences that will enhance users’ lives.

My goal in my career is to design with diverse groups of people. While studying at Syracuse University, my time was marked by racist and biased incidents that shook Orange Nation at its core, making national news. I have never been more aware of my white privilege than at college and am discouraged by how people that never integrated with diversity act when they are faced with it. I am enraged that I ever had to call them my peers.

With all of this in mind, my desire as a professional is to empower disadvantaged people, not just design things based on assumptions.