Get to know me
Proactive, quality-focused professional with 15 years experience in UX and visual design. Experienced lead in providing creative direction and governing company web style guides that spans across multiple business units and vendors. Practices user-centered principles as well as seeks new innovative approaches in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining creative solutions.
I have spent a few years working along side with Usability Specialists and Web Developers. I have adapted to the agile environment. Additionally, I have worked closely with internal design team and outside agencies to help drive creative marketing and site design strategies.
My strengths:
• I live and work by integrity and tenacity
• I like to have fun. I seek new innovative approaches in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining creative solutions.
• I offer visual, technical, and user experience solutions
• I have solid experience with HTML5 and CSS.
• Experience in several tools (Adobe CS, Adobe CQ, Sketch, Bootstrap, WordPress, Joomla, Axure)
• I have experienced being a lead and also a contributor in providing creative direction at an enterprise-level
• I have managed multiple projects at a time and stay on schedule
• I love to learn from others and pay it forward
• I believe there is no substitute for gaining actual customer feedback
Experience
Sr. UI Designer, 05/2016 – Present
BofI Federal Bank/Bank of Internet USA, San Diego, CA
Primarily, I designed web and mobile interfaces for prototypes and for new products. For each project, I provide the UI experience for all visual design stages from concept to final hand-off to engineering. I attend agile daily stand ups and sprint planning meetings and make any additional features add-ons or changes to the UI. Continually collaborate to collect feedback and requirements from product owners, engineering, branding, and stakeholders while striving to contribute to a holistic digital solution and advocating for the end user.
UX/UI Designer (consultant), 02/2016
Red Door Interactive, San Diego, CA
Developed wireframe prototypes/schematics. Defined page template strategy and mobile responsive designs. Defined how users interact with on page features, widgets, components, and interaction design patterns.
UX Designer/Lead, 07/2009 – 01/2015
Thermo Fisher Scientific (Formerly Life Technologies), Carlsbad, CA
Directed concepts through final creation and implemented design solutions while championing user-centric principles for the Life Technologies website (4.4 million visits per quarter). Balanced multiple roles of providing high fidelity designs and mockups and used data and analytics to inform design decisions. Responsible for overseeing and creating wireframes in Axure, graphical elements, data visualizations and charts for scientific web tools, product marketing launches, online promotions, iconography, design specifications, mood boards, and managed multiple projects. Kick-started, authored, and implemented the Life Technologies style guide available globally and accessed daily by business units, production artists, and vendors. (www.lifetech-styleguide.com).
Senior Visual Designer, 03/2004 – 11/2008
Verizon Online, Carlsbad, CA
Designed and created high quality user interface and graphic design comps for Verizon Web sites, bridge pages, and interactive media. Web projects included marketing and online ordering flows for Verizon.com and its strategic sites including CHSI, FiOS, FiOS TV, FiOS Voice, BHSI, BFIOS, VoiceWing, Verizon Bundles, Support, and DirecTV. Documented and designed user flows, information architecture, design guidelines, and GUI prototypes. Created marketing collateral, style guides, and flash animations.
Visual Designer, 10/2000 - 10/2003
Intuit, Inc., San Diego, CA
Collaborated with UI specialists to design and implement low and high fidelity prototype designs to be used for usability testing. Worked with feature teams to gather requirements and deliver visual design solutions. Design strategy included conceptual designs, layout, typography, branding, and informational design. Participated and assisted in brainstorming, heuristic evaluations, cognitive walkthroughs, card-sorting, expert reviews and usability testing. Proactively designed for “ease-of-use” while also understanding and having knowledge of technical limitations.
Graphic Designer / Web Trends Specialist, 7/1999 - 8/2000
Golfsat, Inc., San Diego, CA
Created and coordinated all aspects of the creative process including advertising collateral, company logo, presentations, website, and company intranet.
Skills/Tools
UX Design
Brand Strategy
Card Sorting
Design Specifications
Interactive Prototypes
Responsive Design
Wireframes
Style Guides
Adobe CS
Sketch
Zeplin
HTML5
CSS
Bootstrap
WordPress
Joomla
TeamSite
Axure
Sketch
Balsamiq
Education
Bachelor's Degree (BA), - 5/1999
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Emphasis: Graphic Design and Art.
Certifications
Human Factors International, - 01/2008
San Diego, CA
Coursework: User-Centered Analysis and Conceptual Design; The Science and Art of Effective Web and Application Design; Practical Usability Testing; Putting Research into Practice
TeamSite Certification of Completion, - 6/2001
Interwoven, Chicago, IL
TeamSite Hands on Training, US-IL-Chicago
Certification Macromedia, - 10/1999
Macromedia, San Diego, CA
Coursework: Dreamweaver and Fireworks.