- Jake Trussell
DESIGN STRATEGIST AND NETWORK BUILDER, UNCOVERING SYNERGIES AND CONNECTING DOTS
Trussell designs processes, programs, and platforms using a human-centered approach to create delightful experiences.
He’s always learning and adapting to the ever-changing world around him.
Biography
Jake Trussell is the founder of Metabolize, a design consultancy working across creative, technology, civic, and education sectors. Metabolize advocates for people by understanding their needs and articulating relationships between them and the products/services they use.
He is also co-founder of an early-stage startup called WhosWithUs, developing a market for investment in musician's careers. The platform will encourage fans to back artists, to become part of their team, to help to propel their careers, and to grow a sustainable middle class of artists.
As Creative Director at World Business Chicago — the city's economic development organization chaired by the Mayor — Trussell oversaw design, branding, and marketing for the organization. The portfolio under his purview included positioning Chicago as a global business destination (#1 for corporate investment 5 years running) in addition to a number of civic startups incubated at WBC. He co-founded and led two of those startups focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in the technology and creative sectors.
One of those initiatives, co-founded in collaboration with the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, is ChicagoMade, an effort to elevate and support the creative industries.
ChicagoMade showcases creative entrepreneurs and their products, bringing them together across industries to form a community, with the goal of retaining and attracting the next generation of innovative businesses and talent.
He also led the ThinkChicago initiative in collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the University of Illinois. Twice each year, in partnership with Lollapalooza and Chicago Ideas Week, ThinkChicago connects top university talent from around the country with innovative Chicago businesses.
Trussell is a mentor at the 2112 creative industry incubator, and is a member of the Chicago Ideas Co-op
He's also an award-winning web designer, recording artist, DJ, event producer, and record label founder.
Trussell Graduated with Distinction with a BFA in Media and Performing Arts from the Studio for Interrelated Media at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He also has an innovation certificate from IDEO U, and a blockchain certificate from the Linux Foundation.
- PhilosophyDesign is Human Advocacy
DESIGN ADVOCATES
by understanding human needs and articulating the relationship between humans and products, services, and/or businesses
DESIGN SOLVES
problems by creating delightful experiences in order to create value
DESIGN STRATEGY LEADS TO INNOVATION
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