Professional Experience

Information Architect and User Experience Designer
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo
April 2009 – present

Designed interface and information architecture for UB’s award-winning medical school website. Increased conversion (e.g., admissions, new patient sign-ups) by improving the user journey based on research data. Helped researchers and physicians streamline their data collection and reporting process by designing mobile apps with a user-centric approach. Day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Leading the user-experience design life cycle of mobile and web-based applications, from stakeholder interviews and specification-gathering to wireframing, prototyping and post-launch testing
• Collaborating with technical teams through the production cycle to ensure technical viability and accurate implementation of web and mobile applications
• Planning and conducting user research and usability tests onsite and remotely
• Creating research deliverables, including personae and mental models, to help align design strategies with user needs
• Analyzing data from web analytic tools (Google Analytics, Mouseflow) and usability test results to evaluate mobile and web-product performance
• identifying improvements for mobile, web and interactive designs; recommending changes to senior leadership
• Ensuring all digital designs are Section 508 and HIPAA compliant

Freelance Digital Solutions Consultant and User Experience Designer
January 2003 – present

Work with agencies and independent clients on a range of digital products, including websites and marketing materials, instructional designs and mobile app designs. Collaborate with small business clients and nonprofit organizations to develop sustainable branding, web and social media solutions. Clients include Department of Defense, BMW Motorsports, Budweiser, Berico Technologies, Buffalo Sabres, Rich Products, Dark Horse Comics.

• Conduct stakeholder interviews, content audits, content inventories and benchmark research to assess needs and project requirements
• Prototype and create user-centered designs – including user interface, infographics and data visualizations – for mobile and desktop based on user research findings
• Create mental models, user personas, journey maps and flow diagrams that inform mobile and web content strategies
• Create user experience deliverables including sitemaps, page tables, low/high-fidelity wireframes, interface mockups and prototypes for mobile and desktop devices
• Oversee mobile and desktop product development from concept to completion, including designing workflows and QA guidelines for internal production teams

Usability Consultant and Interface Designer
Digital Communication Transformation Pilot Project, State University of New York  at Buffalo
December 2008 – June 2011

Key member of task force established to unify the university’s digital presence by designing a library of visual templates in Adobe CQ5 CMS, with the aim of improving user experience, retaining engaged users and increasing conversion.

• Staffed, set up and led the first institution-wide usability team  
• Created a library of flexible modules and templates, as well as a style guide for the CQ5 CMS to be shared institution-wide
• Launched sample websites that other institutional units referenced to follow best practices for design and content
• Defined testing methods and established usability goals and metrics
• Planned and directed usability tests; advised on sample recruitment, methodology
  and analysis

Web Design Architect
Office of Medical Computing, State University of New York at Buffalo
November 2000 – March 2009

Charged to launch a multimedia department that builds web presences for more than 30 medical school units and helps faculty and researchers with digital and multimedia needs.

• Met with stakeholders/clients to analyze needs and develop sustainable web and multimedia solutions
• Designed and produced dynamic websites for the School of Medicine and affiliated centers using ASP, PHP, HTML, CSS and SQL databases
• Designed interfaces for handheld and mobile devices and oversaw the production life cycle
• Created multimedia instructional tools with Flash, Illustrator, JavaScript and a variety of video production programs
• Created branding and presentation materials for the School of Medicine and its related initiatives
• Managed, trained and mentored graphic design interns and junior staff
• Conducted usability and accessibility tests to ensure compliance with Section 508

Instructor, Computer Arts Program
College of Arts and Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo
July 2000 – September 2000

• Taught second- and third-year college classes on computer arts (digital design concepts, foundational skills such as using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash, basic 2D/3D animation techniques, wireframing and storyboarding)
• Mentored and evaluated student interns

Multimedia and Interaction Designer
Tek21/Check.com (now Synacore.com)
June 2000 – November 2000

• Created 2-D and 3-D animations for client applications
• Designed and programmed user interfaces for web-based and desktop software

Graphic Designer (Internship)
Hong Kong University Museum and Art Gallery
May 1999 – August 1999

• Designed and managed print production of marketing materials including banners, posters, mailers and flyers
• Participated in the production of archival books, including infographics, map illustrations,  graphic design, layout and photo retouching

Interactive Designer
Graduate School of Education IT Support Node, State University of New York at Buffalo
September 1998 – June 2000

• Produced instructional materials, software and interactive games for digital devices
• Created customized illustrations and animations for educational software
• Developed and maintained program and course websites

Education

State University of New York at Buffalo, May 2000
Bachelor of Fine Arts, GPA 3.85, summa cum laude
Major in Computer Arts with concentration in Human Computer Interaction Design
Minor in Japanese Studies
Honors: Dean’s List (1995-2000), Chancellor’s Award Recipient, University Honors Program Graduate

Awards and Honors

AAMC-GIA Award for Excellence (2013)
Department of Psychiatry Website Redesign
Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Institutional Advancement (AAMC-GIA) Award for Excellence — Electronic Communications/Websites Category

CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award (2012)
University at Buffalo Website Redesign
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Gold Award — Websites and Social Media Category