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visual design | interface & documentation design

I'm an experienced Visual Communication Designer with experience in user-centered design, product development, and instruction. Skilled in designing, writing, and editing with attention to detail, distilling complex information into written and visual form for specific audiences. Strengths include autonomous work ethic, project management, strategic planning, requirements gathering, product development, and leadership best practices. Active listener with demonstrated ability to think logically and critically, learn quickly, and collaborate well with others.

I'm proficient at Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, eCommerce platforms, content management systems (CMS), and just enough CSS, HTML, and JavaScript to be dangerous.

I received my undergrad at Kent State University in the College of Fine and Professional Arts in Kent, Ohio
It was a highly competitive, five year program that resulted in a Bachelor of Fine Arts Visual Communication and Design (and a minor in Illustration.) I maintained a 3.4 GPA , graduated summa cum laude and didn't sleep very much. During my final year, I landed a super sweet full-time job...

Bayer Diagnostics in their Technical Communications & Industrial Design Departments as a Graphic Design Specialist
May 1994 - Oct 1999 
I developed all graphic materials needed for use in literature, on product, on packaging and within the user interface environments of medical diagnostic systems produced and distributed worldwide. I also produced technical illustrations and layout design for service manuals and customer literature. Then they wanted me to move to Terrytown, NY. So instead I went to work for... 

MRI Worldwide in their Online Department as an Online Graphic Manager
Oct 99 - Sept 00
I planned and implemented visual and interaction design concepts for all Internet, Intranet and web application environments. I also developed and implemented online marketing and support system solutions and strategies. They kindly sent me to California and Chicago to attend User Interface 2000 and 2001 West conferences held by User Interface Engineering [www.uie.com]. Then their parent company CDI Corporation recruited me and I joined...

CDI Corporation as part of their Internet Center of Excellence as the User Interaction Design Manager
Sept 00 – June 03 
There my responsibilities included management of Usability Design and Testing Team, client business/user needs discovery and assessment, solution planning, interaction design and documentation, provision of specifications to be utilized by multi-disciplinary project teams to deploy reliable, user-centered and marketable products on schedule. I also developed our team's processes and workflow guidelines, worked as the lead project manager, authored all of our training/user documentation and oversaw all usability and quality assurance testing for multiple Internet, Intranet, Extranet and web application projects. Then they wanted me to move to Philadelphia, PA. and I was tired of working 60+ hours/week. So instead I went to work for...

OfficeMax Corporation HQ in their eCommerce Division as a simple, little Multimedia Designer 
Aug 03 – April 04
This was an intentional shift. I wanted to work 40 hours/week and not manage anything or anyone anymore. My responsibilities included usability testing and re-design, strategic online marketing, interaction design and documentation, provision of specifications to be utilized by multi-disciplinary project teams and training initiatives. Then they wanted me to move to Chicago, IL but instead I decided to go back to school and get my Master's degree from...

Ursuline College in their Accelerated Licensure / Teacher’s Apprentice Program in Pepper Pike, Ohio
I did a full-year placement in Second Grade at Laurel School and graduated Ursuline with a Master of Arts in Education with a Reading Certification. I was regarded well enough that I was asked to join the faculty at...

Laurel School as a  Third Grade Lead Teacher in Shaker Heights, Ohio
Dec 04 – June 07 
There I lead and mentored partner teachers, designed and implemented new curriculum while planning and teaching lessons across all areas of study. I devised various methods of authentic assessment within the classroom. I also lead our Primary division's student progress report redesign/implementation effort, served as a faculty liaison and consult to administration, and actively participated in Laurel's ISACS Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) year-long self-study accreditation project. Then we had our first baby and I wanted to stay home with her so I found evening and weekend work just down the street from our house at...

Lakewood Public Library as a Paraprofessional in Lakewood, Ohio 
May 2008 - 2014
I worked in the computer lab and as an adult technology instructor. My additional responsibilities included designing and authoring all instruction materials used for adult computer classes, technical assistance in Library’s 60-seat computer lab, design & authoring of Library’s online employee training/software/operations manual and continuous improvements and updates to the Library's website. 

Within the last 15 years, I've also started and successfully run three online businesses, acting (among many other things) as the principal graphic and product designer for all three. They are:

We & The Bean
Jan 2005 – Jul 2016
Original paintings, framed prints, soft sculptures, greeting cards, and t-shirts sold internationally online and locally in various Northeast Ohio locations including the Pancake House, Bela Dubby, Local Girl Gallery, Beck Center For The Arts, Gestures and Bay Arts.

THIS GIRL'S TEES
Nov 2013 – 2020
Apparel dedicated to combating stereotypes and celebrating what girls and women can do; which is, of course, anything they set their mind to.

MoxieDori, Inc.
Nov 2015 – Present
Co-owned retail and wholesale design and manufacturing company offering innovative, functional, reusable, durable stencils, tracing cards, and other tools specific to the needs of the international journal & planner communities.

In addition, I've continued to work as a freelance designer all these years, providing affordable print, software, and online graphic design services for corporations, marketing firms, software companies, small businesses, institutions, and nonprofit organizations. 

I have a sound contract. I estimate realistically. I communicate effectively. I invoice honestly.  Contact me  if you'd like to chat.