Who Am I?

Hi My name is Serkan Ekenel. Following a 17-year career as a Microsoft Systems Engineer and network manager, I am now in 3rd year studying Industrial Design at OCADU. My previous IT experience developed and enhanced my critical thinking and problem-solving skills as I was responsible for a system that included over 1200 persons. Project management, communication and time management were also important factors in my daily work. I am now incorporating these essential skills into my design career. In 2016 I graduated from University of London (UK) with distinction in Art and Design Foundations. There I was exposed to a multi-disciplinary art and design environment. My recent OCAD experiences in design for health at a special needs school made me realize that I could make a positive contribution to the growth and development of children with physical disabilities. This work was extremely satisfying and I find myself wanting to pursue it further. In the future I see myself in a design studio working in conjunction with health care professionals and educators in order to create positive learning experiences for the physically disadvantaged. I am eager to observe, diagnose, research and then design practical solutions to real problems. I believe that my career plan is flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of my future clients as each person will present a unique set of challenges. One size does not fit all.