Additional Info

Location: Los Angeles, CA  

Email: sarahsowell1@gmail.com         ~          Current Resume Click Here          ~         Linkedin Profile Click Here          ~         References Provided Upon Request

About Me

“What is our motivation, our passion?...To make a contribution to the future of civilization.” (1)

A Brief Introduction to My Work:  I find delight in the unknown, and searching for a way to present the unusual is my favorite part of the industry.

To Resolve the unknown, one must obtain a wide understanding in order to develop a solution. When such an occasion should arise I do not turn a blind eye to the idea of combining the ideas and skills around me to enhance the quality of a situation or product.

Through practical experience, training & education I’ve molded myself into a professional who enjoys all facets of the industry. I’m prepared to go the distance with the team while still being eager and willing to learn along the way.

Developing design solutions to the unique and often challenging technical needs of the museum, themed entertainment and brand activation industries is my favorite aspect of the work. This challenge is created by a dynamic relationship of the imaginative, immersive, and often interactive environments that are combined to create memorable experiences and sustainable products.

My diverse experience in the exhibit industry melds managing the initial clientele concept design, supporting technical design integration into those concepts, and taking those designs all the way through to construction, installation coordination, and final project completion. I have worked directly with vendors and contractors and have gained an understanding of the technical applications of their work. I have supervised full fabrication teams on the shop floor as shop foreman as well as supervised install teams on-site as Technical Director. Specific design management experiences include supervising design teams on multimillion-dollar projects in both the capacities of Director of Technical Design and CAD Department Manager. Design project scheduling and man-loading have become a specialty in regards to satisfying what seem to be impossible project scopes & deadlines to make them digestible in order for design department leads to be successful in tasking their teams.

With a formal education in Technical Design and Production, I am very familiar with the creative aspect of these industries, as well as the backstage techniques that should remain behind closed doors; additionally, my practical experience has influenced the technical aspect, allowing me to branch into Electrical Schematics, Integrated Media Control Systems, Rigging and Engineering for Permanent and Automated Structures.

I am a versatile employee who can create strong relationships with the client as well as outside vendors while managing design preparation leading to great project execution for construction, installation, maintenance, and design sustainability. Whether I am behind a computer, out in the field, or presenting in the conference room, I am there to get the job done in the most effective way possible while nurturing the creative relationships of all collaborators so that together we attain the best product and therefore the best experience possible.

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Specific Skill Sets Applied:

I have supervised full teams on a shop floor, show floor/on-site, and installation applications as well as corresponded as project & CAD manager on very large-scale projects that required task delegation over many teams and used telecommunication as the primary method of communication between the client, art department and engineering teams.

I am also accustomed to managing large architectural & themed entertainment project teams: organizing server and drawing communication, completing necessary technical & engineering drawing packages over multiple program platforms, and wrapping everything back into nice neat submittal packages for client and city approval.

Skills include but are not limited to:

·         Design work - R&D, Conceptual design Sketches, design package creation, and maintenance; Application of Conceptual design into fabrication, physical development, and completion - as well as the implementation of engineering, applicable building codes, and specific client protocols/specifications.

·         Drafting Programs -  AutoCAD 2D & 3D, AutoCAD Electrical, Inventor, Autodesk Vault, Solidworks; Rhino & Navis-Works familiarity

·         Microsoft Software - Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams

·         Other Applicable Programming Experiences - Egnyt, DropBox, Procore, Asana, Wrike, Bluejeans, WebEx, GoTo Meeting

·         Fabrication - Site Supervisor, Carpentry, Welding, Shop Floor Application, budgeting, purchasing, inventory, Man/Fork Lift certified, Rescue Training for Fall Protection, CPR & First Aid certified

·         Scenic Artistry - Scenic Painting, Faux Finishes, Foam Carving, Finish work.

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(1)   A Living Architecture Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin Architects by John Rattenbury