Michael Almond
P 415.305.0540
Summary
I have worked as a User Experience designer for the last seven years in both full-time positions and as an independent freelancer. I specialize in front-end disciplines for Web sites and Web applications. These include visual design, branding, interactive and information design, UI design, content and feature recommendations, as well as front-end coding. My professional skills draw on ten years of previous experience as an art director, graphic designer, and campaign organizer at a leading social marketing media agency. I am also a Contributing Writer to Digital Web Magazine.
Selected Projects
SupportSoft
Project: Consumer Web Site, Branding
Role: Senior User Experience Designer
While working at SupportSoft, I provided leadership in defining, creating and maintaining the consumer brand, support.com. My role included defining brand identity, making usability, content and messaging recommendations to improve customer experience on acquisitions sites and client tools. I also lead in the development of all visual and interactive design elements, including page layouts, site navigation and information architecture.
PeoplePC Online, an Earthlink company
Project: PeoplePC DSL & PeoplePC Wi-Fi Product Adoption Sites
Role: Lead User Experience Designer
View DSL screenshot | View Wi-Fi live site
While working at PeoplePC Online, an Earthlink company, I Lead the creation of all visual design elements, maintained the online brand and provided leadership in creating the User Experience strategy for Web Properties initiatives. For PeoplePC's DSL service (soon to be launched) and PeoplePC Wi-FI, I was responsible for visual and interaction design and worked with the Senior Product Manager on the information architecture and registration process for the product adoption sites.
Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH)
Project: eCommerce Web site, Content Management System
Role: Lead Designer & Front-End Developer
View home page template as delivered
I was responsible for front-end project tasks for an eCommerce site and information portal containing home and garden project details and other valuable consumer information for Orchard Supply Hardware, a Sears Subsidiary. I redesigned the site's look and feel, defined graphic standards and brand aesthetic, global navigation, and documented user experience requirements. I also performed usability review and built the HTML/CSS templates while I worked with back end developers on implementing a content management system that enables the business user the ability to create, manage, and publish both Web content and direct mail campaign content.
OpenExhibitionist Media Arts Assistant
Project: Open Source Web Application, Content Management System
Role: Creative Director
I was responsible for all visual design and front-end tasks for a browser-based Open Source scheduling, project and content management system for film and media arts organizations. I designed the look and feel, created a logo and brand aesthetic, defined graphic standards, documented User Experience requirements, performed usability review, built Web standards-compliant XHTML/CSS templates, and performed general QA for the application throughout the development process.
Auto Insurance Specialists (AIS)
Project: Web Application & eCommerce Web Site
Role: Lead Designer
View home page screen shot as delivered
I designed the look and feel for a browser-based application and public eCommerce Web site for California's largest auto insurance broker. The site provides comparative ratings for auto or home insurance and has a dynamic, configurable user interface based on the line of business or brand. I created all graphics, built HTML templates and tested them on all supported browsers, and performed usability reviews.
Terrace Consulting
Project: Public Web Site
Role: Lead Front-End Designer, Developer & Usability Specialist
I was responsible for front-end project tasks. I redesigned the site's look and feel, defined graphic standards, navigation, and documented User Experience requirements. I also helped determine content requirements reflecting the agency's two primary practice areas: Insurance Solutions and eBusiness Solutions. I constructed the HTML/CSS templates, tested and validated code, performed usability review and QA.
Autism Education Network
Project: Education & Advocacy Web Site
Role: Lead Front-End Designer & Developer
I was responsible for front-end project tasks. I designed site look and feel, brand aesthetic, defined graphic standards, global navigation, and documented User Experience requirements for a new education Web site for the Autism Education Network. I also assisted in content development, constructed the HTML/CSS templates, tested cross platform and on all supported browsers, validated code and performed usability review and QA.
HooksDesign + Architecture
Project: Public Web Site
Role: Lead Designer
I designed the site's look and feel, brand aesthetic, defined graphic standards, global navigation, and documented User Experience requirements. I also created and optimized all graphics, built HTML/CSS templates, tested cross platform and on all supported browsers, and performed usability review and QA for an architecture firm's public Web site.
Judy van Soldt Architecture
Project: Professional Web Site
Role: Lead Front-End Designer & Developer
I designed the site's look and feel, defined graphic standards, global navigation, and documented User Experience requirements. I also created and optimized all graphics, built HTML/CSS templates, tested cross platform and on all supported browsers, and performed usability review and QA for an architect's professional Web site.
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Project: Public Web Site & Content Management System
Role: Front-End Design Consultant
I consulted on site look and feel and interface design for a public Web site and administrative system for managing database-driven film, filmmaker, screening date/time, and other information, including a custom-built Blogging system and online audience surveys. The site included rich media components such as streaming video and audio.
Todd Pickering Photography
Project: Portfolio Web Site
Role: Lead Front-End Designer & Developer
I designed the site's look and feel, defined graphic standards, global navigation, and documented User Experience requirements. I also created and optimized all graphics, built DHTML/CSS templates, tested cross platform and on all supported browsers, and performed usability review and QA for a photographer's portfolio Web site.
Steven Almond, Author
Project: Professional Web Site
Role: Lead Front-End Designer & Developer
View site as delivered to client
I designed the site's look and feel, defined graphic standards, global navigation, and documented User Experience requirements. I also created and optimized all graphics, built HTML/CSS templates, tested cross platform and on all supported browsers, and performed usability review and QA for best selling author Steven Almond's professional Web site.
Education
Brown University
B. A. in Art History & B.FA in Studio Art, 1988.
Rhode Island School of Design
Shared Studies with Brown, 1988.
Studio Art Centers International
Florence, Italy, 1987.
Work Experience
SupportSoft
Senior User Experience Designer. Full-time, May 2007–Present
PeoplePC Online, An EarthLink Company
Lead Web Designer & User Experience Specialist. Full-time, January 2006–November 2006.
Almond Design
Front End Web Design & Development. Freelance & Consulting, 2002–2005.
Linking Arts Web Development
Creative Director. Contract, as needed, 2003–2005.
Terrace Consulting
Front End Design & Usability Specialist. Contract, as needed, 2003–2006.
Senior Creative Designer, User Experience Group. Full-time, 2000–2001.
Public Media Center
Senior Art Director & Lead Web Designer. Full-time, 1997–2000.
Art Director. Full-time, 1992–1997.
Account Executive. Full-time, 1989-1992.
Skills & Knowledge Areas
Web Design & Front End Disciplines
- Creating the look and feel of public Web sites and browser-based applications.
- Creating graphic standards and brand aesthetic guidelines.
- Understanding User Experience and User Centered Design principles.
- Familiarity with usability standards and practices.
- Front end site construction, implementation and programming.
- XHTML, DHTML, CSS, JavaScript and Flash.
- Browser compatibility, cross platform testing and prototyping.
- Defining site navigation, scope and user orientation strategies.
- Specific content recommendations, copy writing and editing.
- Documenting User Experience and technical requirements.
- Creating style guidelines, use case scenarios, and training guides.
- Familiarity with W3C specifications for valid markup and Web Standards.
- Working with back end developers to integrate presentation and data layers.
Traditional Media & Graphic Design Experience
- Print design, environmental design and publication design.
- Print production, including process color work.
- Principles of visual design, typography and color theory.
- Brand aesthetic, identity systems/logo development.
- Creating graphic standards and guidelines.
Management Experience
- Managing teams creating and implementing national communication campaigns.
- Working directly with clients and third party vendors.
- Fundraising, proposal and grant writing.
- Project and budget planning.
Partial Client List
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Affiliations
Digital Web Magazine, Contributing Writer
AIGA Experience Design Group
Society for Technical Communication
References available by request.
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