Information Architect
Organization
U.S. Bank, St. Paul, MN
Dates
September 2004 - September 2006
Contribution
- Improved the usability of software by studying users, analyzing their tasks, and applying design patterns and standards to the user interface
- Created interaction flows, wireframes, storyboards, and high-fidelity Web prototypes that communicate the UI in software for call centers, online help systems, and the usbank.com Internet Banking site
- Gathered and defined UI and business requirements with business and technical teams for large and small software development projects
- Analyzed a large, unstructured online help system for call center bankers and piloted its reorganization and rewriting for more readable and understandable topics that meet the business needs of its users and authors
- Partnered with technology teams to develop user experience requirements for a natural-language Web search product, coordinated usability tests to measure the accuracy of search results, and consulted with business partners on long-term processes for its improvement
Production Consultant
Organization
The Metropolitan Minute, Minneapolis, MN
Dates
November 2004 - May 2005
Contribution
- Created mockups and a prototype for a new local newspaper that met business goals and aligned with the proposed editorial and business models
- Analyzed target audience, business model, and editorial model
- Met business goals for a reader-friendly publication by defining and designing multiple information elements to communicate news
- Created designs that balance visual appeal and information density with the realities of limited editorial, business, and production resources
- (The start-up is now on hold while the proprietors refine their plans.)
Technical Communication Intern
Organization
Thomson West, Eagan, MN
Dates
June - August 2004
Contribution
- Converted department Web sites to an enterprise content management and portal system
- Edited technical documents, Web pages, and newsletter articles
- Wrote business case studies to promote an internal accounting system
Production Editor
Organization
The Minnesota Daily, Minneapolis, MN
Dates
April 2003 - June 2004
Contribution
- Directed the visual and technical redesign of the University of Minnesota’s daily newspaper to increase design quality and production efficiency
- Developed a revisable design stylebook by following user-centered design and visual communication principles
- Created and tested software setup instructions for non-technical employees
- Researched industry trends, costs, and benefits for a unified production workflow
- Managed four production assistants and trained employees in technical and conceptual newspaper design and page layout software
Technology Assistant
Organization
University of Minnesota Technology Learning Center, St. Paul, MN
Dates
June - August 2003
Contribution
- Translated paper-based course materials and presentations into W3C-valid Web pages and PowerPoint presentations
- Analyzed course materials and restructured content for better use in Web and presentation media
Video Production Assistant
Organization
Mayo Clinic Video Communications, Rochester, MN
Dates
June - August 2000, 2001, and 2002
Contribution
- Created animations, edited video, and authored DVDs for patient education, multimedia kiosks, and physician lectures
- Mastered industry-standard animation and compositing software and professional digital and analog video equipment
Video Producer and Graphics Assistant
Organization
Mayo Clinic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Laboratory, Rochester, MN
Dates
June - August 1998
Contribution
- Produced videos for use in laboratory presentations, national medical conferences, and courtrooms
- Designed and animated three-dimensional MRI models using LightWave 3D animation software