Sarah Teitler
User Research, Ethnography, Multimedia
Leverages multidisciplinary background in anthropology and interactive telecommunications to
conduct insightful, grounded research and develop actionable, concrete solutions. Exceptional ability
to communicate visually verbally and in writing; creates compelling narratives to communicate findings and solutions;
works in the space where cultural analysis and user research intersect. Lab and field experience. Deeply curious,
collaborative, and detail-oriented.
Core Competencies
Ethnographic and User research
Visual communication
Videography, video editing
Creative thinking
Writing
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Final Cut Pro, Morae, and Photoshop
Familiar with Omnigraffle, HTML, CSS, Javascript
Contact: sarah . teitler at gmail . com
Research
Catalyst Group (freelance), 2011-2012
Usability research and design firm (www.catalystnyc.com)
Usability Analyst
- Observed and analyzed one-on-one lab-based usability sessions (card sorting, think aloud, task analysis) and conducted ethnographic research
- Created reports and top-lines highlighting key findings and recommendations
Cradle Research (freelance), 2010-2012
Cultural research consultancy (www.cradle-research.com)
Ethnographer
- Planned and conducted ethnographic and in-store research to assess product landscape
- Turned research into strategic insights for messaging and brand placement
- Conducted research and created written and video case studies of individuals with life threatening conditions for use in developing medicine delivery systems and care routines
Practica Group (freelance), 2009-2012
Multidisciplinary qualitative market research group (www.practicagroup.com)
Ethnographer
- Managed ongoing client relationships before, during and after projects
- Wrote discussion guides based on client objectives and input
- Conducted ethnographic research in consumer and business market sectors
- Created reports and videos highlighting key findings, insights, and recommendations
MauroNewMedia (freelance), 2010-2011
User interface design and UX optimization company (www.mauronewmedia.com)
Usability Analyst
- Co-led focus groups for parents of children with autism and young adults on the spectrum
- Analyzed studies of websites and touchscreen kiosks to determine and rank usability issues
- Created reports with videos of key findings, insights, and recommendations
Envirosell (freelance), 2010-2011
Consumer behavior research & consulting firm for commercial environments (www.envirosell.com)
Interviewer, Tracker
- Tracked shoppers in consumer environments to gain critical insight into how space, signage and customer service influence behavior and beliefs
- Conducted exit interviews to gather contextual data and to match consumer self-reports with observed in-store behavior
Practica Group (freelance), 2003-2008
Multidisciplinary qualitative market research group (www.practicagroup.com)
Editor, Videographer
- Shot and edited ethnographic videos in consumer and business market sectors
Multimedia
Multimedia Producer
Mercy Corps' Action Center to End World Hunger (2008-2009)
Mercy Corps inaugurated the Action Center to End World Hunger in the fall of 2008 with a mission to radically
alter the way people think about the world and their role within it. An important component of the space was the
Field Dispatch Wall, housing a series of interactive videos from around the world about projects that combat global poverty.
- Trained field-based staff to develop and produce Field Dispatch videos on global relief and development activities for display online and in center
- Co-taught and managed the budget and logistics of a week-long video training for international Mercy Corps staff in Amman, Jordan
- Managed workflow of video producers, from story concept through postproduction
- Resolved technical issues associated with video production and delivery of raw assets
- Post-produced videos from raw media assets (editing, subtitles, music, compression for various platforms)
- Updated video displays in center and portion of center's website using Content Management Systems (CMS) including Drupal and custom-designed systems
- Managed cataloguing, circulation and backup of videos
Documentary Production
In addition to producing and editing videos for non-profit organizations and universities,
has produced award-winning documentaries and web-based programs that have played at festivals in the United States
and abroad. Highlights include:
- The Silent Show with Sound, a live web-based program streamed weekly in 2000 (and sporadically thereafter) and
performed at PS1/MOMA in New York and Net Congestion Festival in The Netherlands
- All Roads Lead to the Sea (2005), a documentary about the city of Havana, Cuba, screened at Big Muddy Film Festival, Chicago Latino Film Festival, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, 15th Latin American Film Festival (London), and Latin American Studies Assoc. Film Festival (winner of Award of Merit), among others. The video received support from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, and the Lucius and Eva Eastman Fund.
Teaching, Panels, Awards, Curatorial Posts
Developed and taught multimedia and documentary production classes at New York University
(Interactive Telecommunications Program, 2006-2008, 2002), SUNY/Purchase (School of Art and Design, 2005-2006),
and City College of New York (Media and Communications, 2000).
Received grants from the Jerome Foundation, the Lucius and Eva Eastman Fund, and the Manhattan Community Arts Fund and
in 2000, was the recipient of the Interval Research Fellowship, a yearlong artist-in-residence position at NYU.
Reviewed grant applications for the City University of New York and was a juror and organizing committee member
of the Salon y Coloquio de Arte Digital in Havana, Cuba.
Video research resident at the Interactive Telecommunications Program (2002-2004) managing video labs,
overseeing streaming activities, mentoring students and advising department on issues relating to digital video.