Communication

Detailed questions are asked at the initial stages of planning in order for full understanding from both a customer, and end-user of the proposed design product. I am overly communicative; many times to a fault. Asking the right questions and conjuring use case scenarios helps prevent roadblocks before they even appear.

Best Practices

I take the time to learn about the product and services for which I design. This tactic ensures a well-rounded design approach and ultimately, a polished, final build.

Personal commitment, design passion, attention to detail, scenario (A/B) testing, user personas, and a helpful and professional demeanour are all sincere descriptors on aspects I focus while working with customers and on projects.

Learning and Knowledge Sharing

I take the time to show customers how a proposed design solution is intended to function. I offer hands-on training for dynamic content implementation so site updates, for example, may be made quickly and easily ahead in the future. I find this practice helps offset technical glitches.

Trends

CSS and responsive websites continue to be the demand of the current age. Responsive sites allow mobile devices and tablets to render web sites, along with desktop experiences through media query technologies. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategies are considered and employed with each design solution. After all, why build the solution if such solutions cannot be easily discovered (on the Web), right?

Take a look at the code for the index page of this site, for example : HTML Code   |  CSS Code

Following implementation, each design is tested thoroughly for accessibility and function with different browsers and operating platforms. I take the extra miles beyond auto-link checkers. The trusted validation services offered by the world wide web consortium (W3C) is used to double-check both the HTML and CSS. With this line of work, continual development and learning is a must. Reviewing tips and tricks on such places such as Stack Overflow and CSS-Tricks are two resources that seem to be constants in my browser's history. And to no surprise, actually.
 

Professional Recognition

• DollyBrook Resort Website redesign and launch (March 2021)  |  View Site
• Team Recognition: Silo Busting — Follett Book eFairs cross-functioning team (Product Management, Technology, Marketing, and Sales), November 2020
• Follett Book eFairs development support (QA and UI/UX focus), 2018 — present
• Follett Destiny UI Refresh, 2016
• Consultative design work with Paul Holtz, of Studio Backlot
• Follett Universal Search Project, 2013 – 14
• Myfollett SSO (Single Sign-on) Project, 2013
• Follett Shelf Project launch, ahead of schedule; under budget, 2012
• Orbitz.com re-branded site support, 2012
• Discover Card / amazon.com partnership marketing, 2012
• Small Business Saturday, Zoro Tools and American Express, 2011
• Accounting Today : Intelliconnect Product of The Year, CCH, 2009
• Accounting Today : ProSystem fx Engagement Next Generation Software, 2008, 2009
• CCH User Conference Point Team, 2007
• CCH Lean Six Sigma Training, 2007
• Maximum Impact's The Influence Index, 2007
• CCH Customer Intimacy Training, 2007
• CCH Management Development Program, 2006
• Coremetrics Interface Training, 2006
• CCH Conflict Management Training, 2005
• Company-wide Recognition for Redesign of CCHGroup.com, 2005
• Employee of The Month, Quill Corporation, 2004
• Shopping Success in e-Commerce: iPhrase Award, 2003
• i-Merchant of The Year, Catalog Age Magazine, 2003
• Business Weekly, Website Award, 2003
• Improving CaMP Performance Award : MyPoints.com, 1999
• Compassion Award : MyPoints.com, 1999
• Telly Award Recipient for PharmaNutrients’ Tonalin Sales Video, 1997
• American Center for Design, Chicago Member, 1992 – 2002
• American Institute for Graphic Arts, Chicago Member, 1995 – 2002

Personal Recognition

• Light of The World Award for Ministry, Joliet Diocese, 2014
• Quoted in The Northwest Herald for eBook Experience, 2013
• Governor Home Town Award for Gilberts, Illinois, 2005
• Earth Day Community Clean-Up Recognition, 2005 – 2006
• Registered Trademark Holder for design of LifeTapestry Logo, 2005
• Webmaster for wyndhamclub.com, 2003 – 2005
• Wyndham Club Condominium Association, Board Member, 2003 – 2005
• Young Adult Co-Coordinator and Mentor, 1995 – 2015
• Young Adult Program Facilitator, 1995 – 2015
• Iowa State University Art & Design Annual, 1995
• Iowa State University President Residence Show, 1995
• First Place Photography Competition, Naperville Park District, 1993
• Design Winner of Earth Day Logo Contenst, Naperville, Illinois, 1991
• National Finalist, Time Magazine Cover Contest, 1991
• Published Author, The Long Meadow Grove Journal, 1991

Great quotes folks have offered about me and my level of work. My sincere gratitude for your words and support; thank you very much.

Design Style

My personal design style and taste usually favors the "Less is more" approach, as originally described by Mies van der Rohe, a renown architect and furniture designer. He was known especially for his no-nonsense approach to design challenges and his work reflects clean lines, simple forms and shapes, along with primary color tones, all without ornament.

I tend to design in a similar fashion; relying heavily on the Swiss style, paying close attention to the careful and purposed use of negative space, also known as white space.

Gernally, I employ elegant typography and am mindful of how type is visual, and therefore, image. This is especially true when type is shown in visual relation to accompanying imagery, photography, or other design elements.

Creative Process

As far as design development is concerned, I am a follower of the traditional approach and prefer to perform quick sketches (and plenty of them) prior to using the computer. I also believe it imperative to meet face-to-face with clients to review the design requirements ahead of time and to gain a solid business understanding of not only the project, but the context in which the design solution is intended to serve. Careful attention is also given to the intended audience, or end user of the design solution, whether it be a website, corporate identity, brochure, or other form of media.

Lastly, I prefer to come up with usually 3 solid styled proposed solutions for the client. After the iterations are reviewed and approved, and/or revisions suggested, is when the final comp will be created. The edited design is then presented one last time for final approval or final revisions before it is ultimately produced.

Inner Workings (How my boat floats)

I pride myself on having just the right amount of ego to be and remain passionate about design and people, while not being self-concerned in the least. I put others first and disregard all personal agendas by choice. This is who I am — always actively seeking the collaborative avenue. No one succeeds in a vacuum. It simply is not done alone. I find this characteristic to be unique, refreshing, and well outside the norm. I hope others join me in this motivation.

After the site is successfully tested and launched, or the design is routed to the service bureau for printing and fulfilment, do you know what time it is? Yep, you betcha: Hey, it's 5 PM somewhere. And the first round is on me.