Hi, I'm Karen Kodera.

A product designer and strategist with a background in architecture, turning complex problems into intuitive, human-centered solutions.

Open to work

Lifelong student, lover of small trinkets, and outdoor enthusiast.

Growing up with two artists as parents, I like to think I was born with creativity in my blood. Until 18, I trained as a competitive dancer, sparking a love for storytelling and a strong sense of discipline.

Then, I attended Georgia Tech where I earned my B.S. in Architecture, building a foundation for technical precision and an ability to balance constraints with creative vision.

I find myself energized by creating for people, so when I discovered product design, I fell in love with its iterative nature and human impact. In design, I see an opportunity to redefine what technology can do for people.

Today, I’m finishing my M.S. in Engineering Design Innovation at Northwestern, where I’ve had the opportunity to design products and services across many industries like e-commerce, healthcare, and transportation. I'm especially drawn to work that blends strategy with design and lives at the intersection of digital and physical experiences.

EXPERIENCE

Product Design Intern

Kroger

Jun - Aug 2024

Contract Product Designer

Northwestern Medicine

Jan - Jun 2024

Product Design Intern

Dick's Sporting Goods

Jun - Nov 2023

Contract Product Designer

Procter & Gamble

Sept - Dec 2023

Product Designer

Bits of Good

Aug 2022 - Aug 2023

EDUCATION

M.S. Engineering Design Innovation

Northwestern University

Sept 2023 - Mar 2025

B.S. Architecture

Georgia Institute of Technology

Aug 2018 - Aug 2023

Thanks for visiting!