user interface design : michael hairston
Michael Hairston User Interface Design - Interaction Design - Graphic Design

Objectives:

To craft simple, clear, and enjoyable user experiences, enabling users to complete their tasks and eliminating confusion and frustration. To this endeavor, bring an analytical eye and knowledge of user interface heuristics, adapting user feedback and development experience to further improve clarity and usability. Combine this with an excellent design sense geared towards clear communication and user satisfaction. During the development process, advocate for the user by simplifying task flows and minimizing exposure of underlying technical details.

Skills:

  • User Interface Design process from start to finish:
    • Collaborate on requirements and features
    • Create wireframes illustrating functionality
    • Hand-code production quality HTML
    • Produce and optimize graphics
    • Code dynamic client-side behavior with Javascript
    • Interpret usability tests and make recommendations
  • Excellent graphic design skills.
  • Expert in HTML coding and CSS, separatiion of content from presentation
  • Able to work within technical limitations and compatibility issues with Web browsers.
  • Knowledgeable of usability and accessibility issues.
  • Ability to work within tight deadlines and with limited resources
  • HTML, CSS, Javascript, AJAX
  • DHTML
  • BBEdit, TextMate, Homesite
  • Photoshop, Illustrator
  • Dreamweaver, Fireworks
  • CVS, PVCS, SourceSafe
  • Quicktime, Basic Sound Editing/Design
  • Windows, Mac OS, Unix/Linux

Experience:

Sermo: User Interface Designer
May 2006 to present

OATSystems: User Interface Designer
December 2003 to May 2006

As sole UI designer, developed interaction designs, look-and-feel, and client-side behavior for leading RFID supply chain web applications. Refined requirements, outlined behavior, improved usability. Designed and implemented Ajax-style, dynamically updated UIs for realtime device and process monitoring. Gathered user feedback and planned and executed improvements. Created information graphics for Engineering, Marketing and Sales presentations and collateral.

RulesPower: Contractor
July to August 2003

Redesigned to give a more professional look to the web client component of RulesPower's business rule-processing application. Designed new layouts and graphics, improved usability, accessibility and workflow. Converted code to standards-based HTML & CSS.

WebCT: User Interface Designer
September 1999 to May 2003

Worked closely with software development team on all aspects of interface design, visual design and HTML for leading e-learning application and associated web sites. Designed navigation systems, HTML forms and page templates. Focused on usability and accessibility of product. Helped to develop an iterative design process, incorporating user testing results. Created interaction designs and prototypes. Also performed image editing, graphics optimization, UI-related bug fixing.

Freelance: Web Designer
1998 to present

Created web sites, from designing structure and navigation, producing graphics, and writing HTML code to uploading, troubleshooting and maintaining sites.

Advanced Medical Graphics: Graphic Illustrator, Web Designer
May 1994 to September 1999

Designed and produced artwork for publication/presentation by clients in medical research, including illustrations, graphs, schematics, paste-up, scanning, photo compositing, image editing, digital slide imaging and photography. Designed promotional company web site to showcase illustration work.

Freelance: Graphic Designer
November 1994 to September 1999

Completed design and illustration projects for various clients including:
Allston Beat: series of newspaper advertisements
A.A.Mintaka Press: Logos, book illustrations and CD covers
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care: newsletter

Education:

University of Massachusetts, Boston
College of Arts and Sciences: Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art
1988-1993

Studio concentration (Fine Arts curriculum)
Related Courses: Visual Thinking, Drawing, Graphic Image Seminar, Experimental Image Workshop

References will be supplied upon request.