Usability, User Research, Site Design, Programming, Analysis, and Me

I won't bore you with all of my skills, and detailed lists of my experiences. Those are best kept for resume, which you can download here or portfolio (or at least what I can show). If you are looking for an example of more heavy reading from me, check out my Masters Thesis on Teaching Networking Security for Universities - It's longer, but I still have a place in my heart for techy stuff too!

What I can talk about here, is a brief past of what I did do, what I enjoy doing, and why doing it is rewarding to me.

Why Do I Do What I Do?

As you may notice when you speak to me, I am a computer geek, and love to work with computers as much as possible. So why usability and the like and not computer programming or something like that? Well I do programming and analysis (see below), but back to the question. I do usability, because I have a desire to make computers and the internet easier for the public at large. This stems from my past as a computer technician for both family and school. Computers have made our world so much more advanced, but the ability for a normal person to pick one up and master it is still far behind what it should be.

A interesting question I get from people is, "You don't have a degree in human computer interaction (HCI)?" Yes, my degree is in Computer and Information Sciences. I have some formal classroom work in the field, but mostly my experience comes from real world work. I have found that working with some very bright individuals, that HCI is something that is best learned by experience. What my degree does allow me is a more technical approach to HCI, having an understanding of the technologies and interactions that HCI then is applied to.

Ok... So That's Me In  A Nutshell

I work in this field because I enjoy making the internet a better place for everyone, not just the techy. My background lets me approach problems from a technical standpoint and my experience lets me apply what works best for the net. My mind doesn't follow the pattern set by schooling, it's set by desire, interest, and backed by understanding of the internet and its parts.

What Kind Of Work Have I Done?

Great question, working for consulting agency's gives me a chance to touch multiple projects and companies. Because of my commitments to keep my work where it belongs (to the client and company) requests for work have to be requested, and I can provide scrubbed copies, and provide information to help develop why I did what I did for those projects. A quick list of work I have done, along with the links to any active site that is now live can be found below.

• Nationwide Insurance (End 2009-Current)
  • Performed research regarding form best practices
  • Suggested replacements for existing wireframing tool sets
  • Constantly involved on enhancments to public facing website
  • Lead information architect contact for incoming campaign requests
    • Consults with other groups and team members on web best practices
    • Ensures that all projects in area conform to best practices and standards

• Metrics Marketing (July - September 2009)
  
  • Main information architect on site redesign
    • interviewed to build out new structure
    • presented findings
  • Analysed the company vs competition
    • Presented findings to partners
  • Designed new site pages
    • Wire framed and presented
  • Social Media
    • Assisted in developing a document for business use

• Rosetta Marketing (January - June 2009)
  
  • Nationwide 'On Your Side' iPhone app (On the app store)
    
    • Ran usability tests to help designers fix bugs in development
  • Sandestin Resort (www.sandestin.com)
    • I designed the wire frames for the home page, and main navigation pages.
    • Was the information architect who tweaked the navigation and integrated the existing site with the new content.
    • Laid out the new interactive map, and how that functionality worked
  • Large Nationwide Bank (Name kept hidden)
    • Conducted interviews to create personas
  • Insurance Company
    • Laid out and developed a micro site to help online presence
  • Nationwide Insurance
    • Multiple landing pages for paid search results
      • Good amount of the paid landing page results are my designs, Renters, Motorsports, to name a couple

That is just a high level of the work I have done. In a short time, I have been involved on multiple big projects, it's not always education, sometimes it's desire.

My Skill Set

I don't just do Usability and Research, I have a well rounded education and can tackle projects that involve work in;

Networks: Client/Server, TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, Cisco, Active Directory, Group Policy

Languages: C++, Visual Basic 6, COBOL, Java, SQL, HTML, CSS, XHTML, C#, Visual Basic .NET, PHP, UML Modeling                                                                  

My experience in web usability are broad and built up from hands on and self taught experience;

Web/Usability: Usability, Web visual design, Web navigation design, Information architecture, Interface design, Competitive Assessment, Affinity Diagramming, Card Sorting, User Centered Design principles

What Kind Of Work Am I Looking For?

Currently, I am looking for work in the Usability / User Research / Web Design field. Also I am interested in work that my undergraduate and graduate work focused to; Systems Analysis, Programming, and System Administration.

Over the past 2 years I have worked a lot in usability and web design, but don't let that fool you into thinking I am solely a web nut! I have 6+ years of understanding and education in programming and systems analysis.

My Programming Style

I program using the mantra, "Solve the problem, tweak the code", this is why I feel comfortable with almost any programming language. I don't need to memorize every line of syntax, I just simply solve whatever problem needs solved, then locate and write the corresponding code to solve that problem. This means that in a short time I can sort through large amounts of other people's code, and determine its function and improve upon it. Does this make me the fastest coder ever? No. But it does make me a versatile coder, who happens to have a strong understanding of how systems work, how users think, and how business operates.

Me In a Nutshell

I am a thinker, not afraid to ask tough questions if needed. I strive to make the user have the best experience possible, not through rigid text book methods, but by a natural flow backed by my experience and understanding of IT and business.