First and foremost, I've always been a designer. With InventoryLab, I have returned to that singular focus as the Senior UI/UX Engineer. I'm part of a fantastic team, with the goal of improving our product's User Interface and User Experience design. Projects have ranged from simple marketing materials to an ongoing, ground-up rewrite of our entire application suite. Going to work at InventoryLab is a complete joy.
Working at BlueRidge Interactive was a fantastic challenge. I was hired to help them update and manage their workflow using Agile principles and methods, and to bring their UX and UI to the next level by providing design and creative direction for their multitude of projects.
Part of my job description has always been creative vision, and my job at Modea was a logical extension of this. As a Product Experience Director, I owned the overall vision for various large scale digital projects for national clients like Aveda and Prudential. This involved creative direction, project planning, management of a dedicated team and full use of Agile principles and methods. I truly enjoyed my time as a Modean.
Building on all of my previous experience in interactive, I began working for Anstey Hodge as the Interactive Art Director in the fall of 2010. It was the one of the most educational and rewarding jobs of my life. I designed websites and online advertisements for retirement communities, major universities, startups, tourist destinations and more. I had the privilege of working under one of the most respected creative directors in the state, and won multiple awards for my work, including a W3 Silver Award for the Cross Keys Village website, and both a W3 Silver and a PRSA Blue Ridge Summit Award for Best in Show for the Step Into Blacksburg website.
Working at the Roanoke Times was a major eye opener. Agencies have deadlines that are a few weeks out - but newspapers have deadlines that often occur the same day. I worked in the advertising department, designing print and interactive ads for clients who purchased ad space with the Times.
After 5 years in Alaska, it was time to move back down to the lower 48 - and my state of choice this time was Virginia. Upon arrival in Virginia, I began my employment as the Senior Art Director for The O'Connor Group. I was the primary creative for the agency, and worked on all of their accounts creating print, interactive and media design.
My first actual professional design position (not including freelancing) was at this medium sized firm in downtown Anchorage. I began as an entry level Production Artist, but was promoted very quickly to Art Director. Initially I did mostly print design, but gradually became the primary interactive designer. I created Flash banner ads, websites and even a small iOS app.