With my extensive experience in both digital marketing and print communications well as art and photography, I bring a unique perspective to user experience design. Each new project that I have taken on has enhanced my skill set and goals toward forward-thinking technology.
Toolbox:
- Brand + Digital Marketing
- Ecommerce Design
- Email Design/Development
- Brandcast
- Salesforce – ExactTarget
- CampaignLogic
- UX/UI Design
- Wireframing (Balasmiq)
- Prototyping (Axure)
- Photoshop
- Dreamweaver
- InDesign
- Illustrator
- HTML
- CSS
- AMPScript
- Bootstrap (Responsive)
- Basic Knowledge of Web Accessibility
- Manual QA Testing (Desktop/Mobile)
- Working Knowledge of SQL
- Writing Test Cases (Test Rails)
- Agile Methodology
- Jira
- Confluence
- Painting
- Illustrations
- Photography
Professional Experience:
May 2022-July 2022
CBRE
Web Production Designer
- Designed and built responsive websites, and email blasts to align with the promotional materials created for commercial properties available on the market.
February 2019-August 2021
Thatcher Technology Group
QA Analyst
- Handled complex quality assurance and test environment problems and issues to ensure tickets are completed during the sprint period.
- Created and executed test plans to ensure issues/enhancements are rigorously reviewed.
- Maintained a library of test suites for reference and regression testing.
- Managed multiple projects and meeting deadlines amid shifting priorities, working both independently and in a team environment.
June 2018-February 2019
Terlato Wine International
Digital Designer (Freelance)
- Newsletter Design and Maintenance for the Federalist, Seven Daughters, Sanford, and Dueling Pistols brands.
September 2018-February 2019
Abelson-Taylor
Digital Marketing QA Analyst (Freelance)
Tested the following on multi-level platforms to ensure the functionality met specifications.
- Emails
- Banners
- Websites
- iPad applications
- Created and executed test plans
May 2018-August 2018
Pinnacle Advertising
Digital Designer (Freelance)
- Email Design and Maintenance
May 2018
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Digital Designer (Freelance)
- Email and Poster Design
September 2016-March 2018
Signature HomeStyles, Glendale Heights, IL
Digital Designer (Freelance)
Projects include the following:
- Redesigned Personal Web Pages for the Representatives
- Updated Shopping cart landing page
- Created Banners/sliders
- Designed/Built Evites
- Designed/Built New Representative Emails
- Updated Auto-Emails
- Updated various parts of the New Virtual Office (Firestorm Software)
Member of the Launch Core Group responsible for the transition from the AS/400
(a middle-size server designed for small businesses) to Trinity’s Firestorm Software.
March 1997-July, 2016
Pampered Chef, Addison, IL
Senior Digital Designer
Main Responsibilities:
- Maintained the monthly marketing schedule and layout plan to ensure the digital team members were on track with high promotion-based projects.
- Concept/Art-directed photo shoots for the digital team.
- Collaborated across teams, sharing information and creative ideas.
- Provided creative direction to digital team members for a variety of online campaigns.
Accomplishments:
- Sixteen years of experience in digital marketing.
- Three years of experience in print communications.
- Responsive redesign of the corporate site for US/CA. Planned, built, and maintained the .com components utilizing the Hybris Content Management System while also updating the legacy site. Ensuring that the proper cadence for each of the monthly promotions is consistent on both platforms.
- First runner-up to the Quasar Award in 2012 for creative and strategic excellence in designing marketing areas of the (pre-responsive) website and in supporting legacy sites to the same level of creative excellence.
- Corporate Homepage Redesign – Created and utilized wireframes, and mockups to communicate the new look for the homepage. The goal was to have the promotions rotate among banners from the top large banners to the bottom two banners. This was done when the end-user viewed and refreshes the page in the same browser. The purpose of this rotation is to ensure the promotions are equally highlighted.
- Consultant’s Corner Site Redesign – Developed the new look and feel. Created the wireframes to illustrate the site flow, page layouts, and site navigation to ensure the user experience is consistent throughout.
- Consultant’s Personal Website – Developed the concept and created the wireframes and mockups for the homepage as well as 8 secondary pages. Led the concept and brainstorming meetings.
- Consumer eNewsletter – Designed and worked with the developer/vendor on the implementation of the layout of the eNewsletter and wireframed how the banners and articles will link back to the various pages within the Consultant’s Personal Website. Ensuring that the promotions are highlighted from the newsletter to the web pages.
- Doris Christopher’s Come to the Table Book Tour – Collaborated with the PR team on the online promotion. Utilized wireframes to show how the book was promoted throughout the site.
Military Experience:
December 1988-96
United States Marine Corps Reserve, Joliet, IL
Supply Administration and Operation Specialist
Main Responsibilities:
- Responsible for every facet of ground supply administration and operations for a unit of 200 Marines.
- Responsible for the training and welfare of a team of 4 Marines.
Accomplishments:
- Honorably discharged with the rank of corporal.
- Active duty service during Operation Desert Storm.
Education:
1993-95
Associate Applied Science Degree in Graphic Design
American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL
1988-90
Undergraduate study in graphic design
University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Michael Del Valle Design 