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nicole@usablejungle.com

 SUMMARY OF EXPERTISE:

Over 9 years’ experience with user-centered web and software UI design and object-oriented development, with a focus on information architecture/interaction design.

 KEY SKILLS:
  • Comprehensive understanding of human factors principles in information design
  • Multi-industry expertise in designing intuitive user interfaces for both web and software
  • Production of documentation for tools and for design best practices
  • Project management experience; able to handle stakeholder interviews, process implementation
  • Gathering of functional requirements and defining of product specifications
  • Use case modelling for key user productivity tools
  • Creation of site maps and wireframes, functional prototypes
  • Experience with usability testing (scripts, interviews, and analysis)
  • Experienced in UI design in Photoshop, Illustrator
  • Experienced in development in HTML, DHTML, CSS, Javascript, ASP, JSP, Cold Fusion, SQL Server, Dreamweaver, and more!
  • Intuitive interpersonal skills, creative energy, flexibility and adaptability
 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006-2008

Hewlett-Packard (HP Snapfish) San Francisco, California (working from Thailand)
Information Architect
Contracting for the Snapfish division of HP as an Information Architect, evaluating the usability of the snapfish.com website and working towards improving upon it. Telecommuting from Thailand with team conference calls once a week.

Speaktech LLC Los Angeles, California (working from Thailand)
Information Architect
Employee of the Usert Experience team at this interactive agency The work is primarily devising usable site maps, navigation structures, and drawing up wireframes for large sites. Occasionally necessary to create use cases and competitive analyses, or code prototypes. Communicate virtually, work from home office. Generally have about 2-4 simultaneous projects.


2005

User Logic San Francisco, California (working from Thailand)
Information Architect/Producer
Contracted for this agency on various projects, with responsibilities ranging from Project Management to Development, but with a focus on Information Architecture and Usability Analysis. Managed a team of 4 people remotely.

CTB/ McGraw-Hill Monterey, California (working from Thailand)
Information Architect
Primary Information Architect on the project with the goal of restructuring and redesigning the CTB.com website, and it's peripheral applications. The site was geared towards educators who purchase standardized testing materials online. The function of this position was to simplify the user experience in the online products browsing and ordering flow. Also helped develop ideas to put towards a better process flow for the User Experience department, from project acquisition to release. Managed all projects independently with weekly team meetings via IM and conference call with the company in California.

New Media Worldwide Bangkok, Thailand
Information Architect
Brought in to help streamline the creative process for this passionate interactive marketing agency. Responsible for all information architecture (writing requirements, use cases, usability briefs, site maps, wireframes, functional prototypes) for client websites, along with setting up and performing usability testing and analyzing/applying the results. Occasionally filled the role of Project Manager, ie. estimating costs and writing proposals, communicating with clients, giving presentations.


2004

Banc of America Securities New York, NY
Information Architect
As a consultant, solely responsible for the restructuring and redesign of the user experience for the Corporate & Institutional Research Portal for Banc of America Securities division. Translated business requirements and usability standards into an intuitive, cohesive interface. Multi-iterative process included wireframing, site mapping, design mock-ups, and HTML/CSS prototypes. In-house testing and analysis. Communicated with the team in Chicago via an intranet site which I created.

Qwest Communications Denver, CO
Interaction Designer
Contracted to interface with Human Factors Engineering to schedule, perform, and cull the results of usability testing and use those results as a basis for creating more intuitive site structures for the redesign on Qwest.com, specifically the online ordering process of Qwest products. Responsible for development of information architecture blueprints, wireframes, personas, content inventories, usability test scripts, and documentation. Required impeccable communication and leadership skills, as well as an overall understanding of the iterative web development process  


2000-2003


Redscope Creative Media LLC New York, NY
Interaction Designer/Web Developemt
As a semi-permanent contractor for this creative media firm, managed translation of usability-focused design solutions into the creation of customer-facing user interfaces for a wide variety of industries. Conducted usability studies, researched cultural and technical aspects of internationalization, and evaluated and improved upon marketing techniques.  Created user interface prototypes in an iterative process. Implemented acceptable prototype designs into code, using ASP, Cold Fusion, SQL, Access, XML. Designed and coded tools for administration of sites, as well as a comprehensive intranet. Assisted with project management such as setting up connectivity, hosting, and scoping out projects. Produced multimedia presentations to stakeholders with a combination of Flash, Powerpoint, and Director movies.


1999-2000

Nine Dots Creative Media (formerly Cybersight) Portland, OR
UI Designer and Developer
Permanent employee of this creative media firm with heavy workloads and impressive client lists- ranging from Star Wars to Ally McBeal to Visa to Wells Fargo. Responsible for development of user interface prototypes and delivery of web systems. All sites were from different industries and had different target audiences and technical specifications, and the challenge was to develop unique solutions to their particular needs while maintaining a clean, consistent user experience. The design responsibilities encompassed all aspects of graphical creation and modification, using Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash. Successfully translated solutions into finished products, working with a development team to use technologies such as ASP, Cold Fusion, and Java. In addition to coding, managed monthly site maintenance via creation of customized administrative tools and intranets.



 EDUCATION

University of Colorado, Boulder
Psychology major, Communications minor

Additional classes in (HCI) Human-Computer Interaction, Information Systems and Communication Design.
 
site contents copyright nicole furi, 1999-2008