“Know thy User for they are not you.” I love this quote and I frequently use it when introducing experience design processes to customers and internal teams when starting a new project.

Too often I experience technical teams and business partners advocating to build an experience in a way that deviates from the approved design rationale and this happens for many reasons. As experience designers, we are responsible for our Users and must ensure the best design is always provided for them.

I approach user-centered design both from a visual standpoint and the user point of view — the design must look good but also work as expected — while also keeping in mind the feasibility of a technical solution. I like working with disciplined and complex organizational structures blended with the blue sky possibilities of visual design which is why I think I like this realm so much.

Here’s a brief Case Study of the Virtual Tour Guide

The Project: Develop a mobile application for use in remote areas of Pennsylvania State Parks for the purpose of supplementing educational experiences posted at static kiosks along hiking and biking trails.

The Problem: Visitor experiences on remote mountain trails are limited to static visuals posted to outdoor kiosks due to a lack of dependable internet service. These visuals are susceptible to fading and deterioration and also require staff to visit each kiosk to post new content which includes a considerable cost for materials and time. Lastly, a need to bring in younger visitors to the parks is important to their longevity and finding a way to integrate mobile device technology is a great way to accomplish this goal.

The Solution: Build a product that integrates scanning technology and GPS to launch enhanced educational experiences including augmented reality, translucent overlays, video, or static content. Using QR and GPS technology allows visitors to launch these experiences without internet service. They simply download the app prior to their visit or at the visitors center before they start their tour to ensure they have the most recent content.

Once the basic flow was outlined, I began to visualize specific design elements and think about complex menu options such as offering multiple experiences launched from a single scan at a kiosk. Rudimentary UI layouts and function placement were also starting to form. 

Now the flow begins to become refined and specific UI elements are chosen for the first development cycle. We also see where the handoff occurs between the proprietary app product and the customer's version of the product. This is important because it helps us start to understand who owns which portion of this product and where appropriate branding needs to reside.

The Result: This project is still under development but interest has been generated with other agencies such as the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and also local businesses interested in sponsoring portions of the product to support their business and help fund product development.

Here is another UX case study.

Performed the role of Task Lead for the creative team on the Army Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF) outreach campaign. Developed all Information Architecture documentation and created the UI design for the new website as well as spearheaded development of the new logo and other support materials including an exhibition display.

Worked as the Program Manager partnering with the National Counterproliferation Center (NCPC) developing many outreach products including this interactive touchscreen trivia product provided to event attendees alongside the NCPC exhibition booth promoting the S3: Science. Safety. Security outreach initiative. The Trivia Challenge was very popular at events and increased traffic to the booth.

Contracted with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) as their Information Architect to create and maintain the content repository and develop the wireframes for the Sustainable Products Center (SPC) website -- a resource for DoD personnel to learn about sustainable solutions and alternatives for their installations. This website is built and maintained within the established DENIX framework and the front-end visual components were designed by DoD staff.

Worked with development team as the UI designer to develop the new tablet interface for the National Defense Center for Energy and Environment (NDCEE) used by NDCEE staff at conferences and meetings to present NDCEE products, capabilities, and success stories to partners and stakeholders.

Continue to lead the National Defense University's (NDU) Executive Assessment and Development Program (EADP) multi-year effort as the Program Manager and worked with engineering team as the UX and UI designer to design the new web-based student data capture interface. 

I have many years of experience working with video production teams as a storyboard artist, Production Assistant, Director, and Production Manager and have been the primary decision-maker when recruiting professional acting talent, scouting shoot locations, and facilitating logistics for acquisition of equipment, aircraft, vehicles, weapons, and military staff.

Click on the links below to see completed works.

Taken Out of the Fight

Distracted Driving

Fatigued Driving

Desperate Hours

Created for Wells Chirporactic as an inter-office, informative piece for patients; a regional, direct mailer; and a business development tool distributed at local public events. 

drwellschiro.com

20 page booklet created for implant surgeons to use as an aid when explaning the benefits of implant surgery to potential implant patients. This booklet is one of the products offered to clients of Levin Group, Inc. and is sent in electronic format to the client site where a print vendor of their choice integrates the practice's office logo and other specific information.

Created as a promotional piece for display during the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) symposium to showcase the capabilities of CTC's Integrated Learning Technology Solutions group.

Marketing piece developed for GAC International. GAC develops new technology for the dental industry and this 16 page booklet showcases the In-ovation bracket and is used by GAC sales teams to market the In-ovation bracket to Orthodontists across the country. This design spearheaded the branding campaign for the In-ovation bracket that included product packaging, direct mail collateral, and multimedia presentation materials used at industry trade shows and conferences.

Created for OraPharma Pharmaceuticals for distribution to dental implant surgery offices as a marketing device to educate patients on the signs of gum disease, prompt a discussion with their doctor, and introduce OraPharma products to the patient.

orapharma.com