Summary

User Interface designer and usability expert with over 25 years experience creating user-driven designs for both print and online media. Strong leader with excellent project management skills and hands-on expertise in all aspects of graphic design, including typography and page layout, information design, HTML and related Web technologies.

Experience

• Designing the UI/UX and Information Architecture for Mimosa Systems NearPoint product.

• User Interface Program Management for development of Server Management software.
• User Interaction Design for System Center Essentials 2007, System Center Operations Manager 2007, System Center Service Desk v1 (beta).

• Develop proposal for the development of company-wide UI standards guidelines.
• Propose and develop an accessible form factor, templates, design review process, and the display of product specific information.

• User Interface Program Management for development of Server Management software: System Center Essentials 2007 and System Center Operations Manager 2007.
• Writing technical specs and iterating designs (producing the graphics and click throughs).
• Working with Usability to test produced iterations and making modifications.
• Synthesizing customer needs and breaking down to critical must-have features that represent the 80%.

• Layout and design for both print and online training materials for UML-based software development tools. Courses included:
• Essentials of Visual Modeling with UML 2.0
• Mastering Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML 2.0
• Principles of Modeling Behavior with UML 2.0
• Essentials of Model Driven Architecture
• Designed and produced “Visual Modeling with UML 2.0” quick reference for both print and online.
• Developing graphics standards for all formats.
• Project coordination and planning.

• Created screens, including application screens, wizards, dialog boxes, for 2 separate, but related, server backup products.
• Produced Visual Guidelines document containing screens with explanations of content and control

• Designing UI for a Win32-based MS internal application: Windows Update Publishing Suite.
• Created HTML “walkthrough” with all screens (including wizards, informational dialog boxes, and other modal windows), with Visio format visual (sitemap) and written functional workflow specs.
• Design and layout using Photoshop and Fireworks.

• Designing UI for a ficticious prototypical application using Microsoft's newest Windows interface (Longhorn).
• Created main applications screens, dialog boxes and information windows for interactive presentaions by Microsoft Longhorn evangelists.
• Included rollovers and all live-seeming prototypical interface elements which were then compiled into a Director interactive “movie.”
• Prototyping in Photoshop, Freehand and Dreamweaver.

• Designing UI for a Web-based modular tech support diagnostic tool, as well as the Web-based installer.
• Working with program manager, development team, and a written spec to create a user-friendly interface for all aspects of the tool, over all look and feel, and icons.
• Prototyping in Visual Studio, Photoshop and Freehand

• Designing UI for Web-based CRM application. Working with development and domain specialists to determine functionality within application domains, and revising navigation schemes accordingly.
• Working with project Information Architect to revise current navigation plan, as needed.
• Developing prototypes for usability testing.
• Writing design specs and usage guidelines for UI.

• Maintained corporate intranet, but surpassed expectations and advanced to much higher service level to meet unanticipated corporate needs. Took initiative to research own orientation. Using tact and sensitivity, built partnerships with key departments.
• Redesigned large corporate intranet site, meeting deadline for roll-out of new corporate identity; improved usability and navigation; developed standards; rewrote style guide.

• Designed the user interface and information architecture; coordinated usability analysis for company’s first intranet site. Redesigned enterprise security software Internet site; implemented information architecture, design, and navigation.
• Wrote functional specs based on user needs; prepared and presented design comps for management approval; developed and maintained interdepartmental communication through regular project status updates; determined and allocated resources as needed; worked closely with Web app development team to ensure quality control.
• Laid off due to dotcom bust.

• Develop course content and teach continuing education certificate program courses, including Information Design, Technical Writing and Web Development. Designed and produced 50 page manual for use as teaching aid, and student study guide.
• Courses designed and taught as instructor at Bellevue Community College:
  1. “Introduction to Design,” (Information Design)
  2. “Fundamentals of Document Design for the Technical Writer,” (Technical Writing and Editing);
  3. “Project Planning,” (‘Fast Track’ Business Web Developer)
  4. “Web Graphics Workshop” (‘Fast Track’ Master CIW Designer)
  5. “Designing for Usability” (Information Design)

• Design, develop and maintain corporate and small business Web sites. Creative involvement includes art direction, HTML and Javascript coding, illustration, photography, copy writing, image manipulation and optimization, site navigation and usability factors.
• Examples include:
  Lyric Japanese Antiques (closed recently after 5 years in business)
  Sally Banfill, artist banfill.com
  Abacus Securities abacus-securities.com
  DBS Sounds, Inc.
  Natura www.olympus.net/personal/natura
  Linda Goodman, astrologer
  Engayla' Designs engaylasdesigns.com
  Passage Designs passagedesigns.com

• I have been working in what I can only describe as an “abstract expressionist” style, since the mid-70’s, and over a decade or so, the work evolved and began to incorporate more structured, almost geometric figures. The purely abstract images were “acquired” from the chaos of the moment. They are representations of timespace. It has been my personal experience and it is my belief that artists are essentially “receivers” who are able to channel, if you will, the chaos that we would otherwise interpret as linear events in time. (more...)
• Current work
• Entropy series
• Previous abstract work

• Managed all activities of gallery, including planning and installing monthly art exhibitions. Ran public relations campaign, sought and selected artists to feature, determined gallery’s mission and focus. Promoted increased public awareness of the arts through a strong involvement in the arts community and co-founded the first Greenwood Annual Artwalk.
• Gallery Website (non-active)
• SeattleSidewalk.com Review

• Established design support for newly formed Systems Division “User Education” group, designing documentation for highly technical computer software, with an emphasis on usability, and diverse learning styles and user skill levels.
• Created and constantly improved production processes and work-flow; managed multiple high-level projects from conception to shipped product; provided leadership and established group vision; facilitated intradepartmental collaboration and communication.

• Aldus FreeHand 2.0 in-house testing, responsible for Macintosh systems-component compatibility and administration of nationwide beta testing program.

• Designed and produced technical manuals, company brochures, forms, presentations, marketing materials, and conducted systems analysis for documentation development.

• Information design for print (including position papers, and professional engineering journals) and presentation graphics (Board of Directors budget proposals); cartography (geothermal exploration maps and geologic formation detailing).


• Introduced first corporate Macintosh computer in 1986 and established early desktop publishing standards. Developed yearly departmental budget proposals. Published monthly 20 page corporate employee newsletter (circulation 8,000).

Education

• BFA California State University, Hayward
• Landscape Architecture Masters Degree Certificate Program University of California, Berkeley