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Interaction Design
This role is sometimes titled User Interface (UI) Design, Usability
Design or User Experience (UXD) Design. The role may also
include Information Architecture (IA).
A collaborative process, the UX (User Experience) designer meets continuously throughout the project with the business unit, product managers, QA and engineering teams; identifying and defining user experience strategies, building consensus—always an advocate for the user.
The process is iterative, with cross-functional reviews at each stage of the project. Research methodologies included task analysis, heuristic evaluation, and field or lab testing whenever possible. These smaller refinements based on continual research findings keep project goals, deadlines and costs within scope. This results in a more efficient and usable product release with higher customer satisfaction.
Beginning with the business unit; high-level requirements are
gathered from the client. This documentation begins defining
user needs and product direction, informing the design strategy.
Business analysts work with the UX designer to deliver accurate
Use Cases. QA can be involved at this early stage.
Design Documents Samples
provided upon request.
Interaction Flow Diagram
The use cases are converted into schematic diagrams to define
the user flow scenarios and interaction goals. These are at times
sketched on paper, drawn in Visio, or developed within a prototyping
tool which can be utilized for simulations.
Wireframes
The wireframe is used as visually uncluttered tool to display
layout, storyboard the interactive flow, and provide simple navigation. Simple
walkthroughs are conducted to assure interaction goals were
on track.
Mockups
Screen mockups are created to define the UI design and to
assure keeping within defined style guides, standards and best practices.
Content is finalized and any images to be used are selected and signed
off at this stage.
Functional Prototype
While refining the functional specifications, a functional
prototype can permit usability testing to be performed.
During testing, iterative changes can be made based on recommendations
of the usability test findings. Functional spec can be completed
and final-stage coding begun, followed by QA and User Acceptance
Testing.
PG&E April
2007 - Present
Currently contracted as UI Designer in the Online Communications
for the static site, UI& Interaction Design for online applications.
Entire redesign underway.
Wamu April 2002
- Sept 2005
UI Designer, User Experience team. We were engaged for the User
Centered Design (UCD) process whenever a new (online) product
was being launched, or a new feature introduced to an existing product.
In-house Usability Lab for testing.
Web Design Consulting
Sky-Portal 2000
- 2001 and 2005 - Present
Web site design for a wide range of clients and services. Consulting
with businesses requiring a professional web presence, managing project
from concept through completion: define product needs, gather requirements
and establish strategy; organize content into effective Information
Architecture (IA) , Interaction Design definition, art
direction for visual design; technical implementation, search
engine optimization (SEO). This earlier portfolio site includes a
fun timeline animation constructed in early DHTML.
Example Project
TreeShapers Originally
designed in 2004, updated March 2007: reorganized the Information
Architecture, additional content and images, a new content-rich
home page for SEO; integration of an externally-hosted customizable calendar.
More examples provided upon request.
Web Design & Hosting
SkyWebs Early
1995 to late 1999 (Archived site)
I founded and ran a small successful web design house before
the dot-bomb, also hosting e-commerce sites and email servers. Many
of our diverse
clients are still online. Due to its success, SkyWebs' client
base and technology were acquired by an E-commerce Solution Provider
in late 1999.
Utilizing best practices of that period, I personally authored and designed many of the sites; directing and collaborating with a cross-functional team of designers and engineers across multiple, concurrent projects. Ensured that clients received design consistent with marketable solutions, meeting aesthetic guidelines and functional requirements. Early advocate of web usability.
My Other Passion
First Frost
East Bay Sunset
Hawaii
Gmail.com | Phone:
(510) 550-7400