About
My focus as a User Experience Professional is in design and strategy.
To be successful, in my business, I often needed to quickly pivot between skills and tasks including photography, post-production, marketing, sales, website design, and management of social media channels.
I began my creative life by teaching myself how to video edit and take photographs, from there I studied the classics and philosophy. I worked in legal publishing where I sourced cases, researched and synthesized large amounts of complex data, and wrote stories with that information to provide digestible information for busy legal professionals. Later, ran a successful photography business for over a decade. That role allowed me the opportunity to "wear all of the hats." It was a challenging and gratifying experience that provided constant learning opportunities and "problems" to solve. I learn a lot about working with people, discerning their needs, and delivering high-quality products to meet their goals.
My passion for learning has been a lifelong love, and I suspect it always will.
Skills
Figma
Lightroom
Invision
WordPress
Sketch
Illustrator
Figjam
Fundy
Adobe Creative Suite
Premiere Pro
Capture One
Photo Mechanic
Photoshop
InDesign
Education
User Experience Design Certificate
Dec. 2021 - April 2022
Graphic Design Courses
Dakota County Technical College, Minnesota
2005-2006
Studies included: Visual Communications, Visual Design Fundamentals and Print Processes.
B.A., Liberal Arts
St. John’s College, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
An all-required interdisciplinary curriculum that includes four years of philosophy, mathematics, and language (Ancient Greek and French), three years of laboratory science, and two years of music.
"Our students are self-directed learners, original thinkers, and problem-solvers.
Throughout their four years at the college, Johnnies analyze more than 200 of the most influential texts and thinkers from across 3,000 years of Western thought: from Plato and Pascal to Adam Smith and Albert Einstein. They learn the foundations of mathematics and the sciences by mastering original proofs and conducting hands-on experiments, beginning with Euclid and journeying through Darwin and Faraday. They read, write, discuss, and dissect the trajectory of knowledge—literally and figuratively.
The rigor and scope of our Program develops self-directed learners who thrive with new and challenging material. They are sharp analysts, creative and courageous thinkers, and clear communicators. They work well in teams, too: they know how to listen, they know how to ask questions, and they know that collaborative inquiry works better for everyone. The end result? Johnnies excel at solving difficult and new problems—just like the ones facing every organization today."
- St. John's College
Work Experience
UX Designer/Engineer
UnitedHealthcare
UHC Benefit Operations − Provider Services
Provider Digital Transformation
2022-PRESENT
- UX Design lead of multiple provider products
- UI design (Primary tools: Figma, Figjam)
- Contributions to enterprise design system, Abyss.
- User experience design advocate
- Collaborative team member
OWNER/PHOTOGRAPHER
Poppy Seed Photography
2007-PRESENT
Communication / Content Strategy
- Communicated with clients to understand their goals for successful outcomes
- Setup and maintenance of CRM, email lists, marketing collateral design
- Social Media management
Visual Design
- Management of digital archive
- Photographed individuals, small groups, events, properties and products
- Website design, content development and maintenance
Management
- Developed processes and workflows for all areas of the business
- Management of contractors
- Photographed individuals, small groups, events, properties and products
- Creation and implementation of post-production procedures
WRITER/PUBLISHING SPECIALIST
Thomson Reuters, Eagan, MN
2007-2010
- Responsible for publishing two monthly jury verdicts publications
- Identified cases, wrote summaries and organized publication’s content
- Acquired case leads through online research
- Assisted with creation and organization of team training materials
- Enhanced the editorial process by identifying and creating time saving workflow methods
PRINCIPAL EDITOR
Thomson Reuters, Eagan, MN
2001-2006
- Lead Editor for multiple print products.
- Responsible for training and mentoring new editors
- Coordinated all aspects of practice series pamphlets, laws, annotated statutes and Westlaw data publications
- Edited materials
- Managed schedules and products
