Leigh Allen-Arredondo | Interaction Design & Usability | 206.280.4007 | arredondodesign@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE
Seeking challenging interaction design and user experience work with creative, intelligent and fun product teams. Available as contract or freelance senior-level designer.
SUMMARY
- 15+ years experience designing user interactions for software and web products.
- Experience with large-scale web sites, e-commerce web, consumer and B2B web sites and software.
- Specializing in highly functional and complex interaction design and architecture.
- Utilizing a complete user-centered design (UCD) process: user research, user & task analysis, information architecture, interaction design, wireframes, prototyping and usability testing.
- User research: Experience in conducting various methods of user research and usability studies.
- Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams located around the world.
December 2007 to present
Arredondo Design (sole proprietor), Seattle, WA
User Experience Consultant
Using my expertise in user experience design and user research, I bring solutions to companies with complex interaction needs. I work with agencies or directly with companies. Projects have included a microsite for HTC/ AT&T, multiple UX designs for websites for Microsoft, UX design of Eventbrite.com, a proprietary web application for Seattle Public Utilities, site and game interaction architecture for Xeko.com, and a proprietary real estate web application design for Market Leader, Inc (formerly Housevalues.com), among others.
February 2006 to December 2007
Digital Railroad Inc., Seattle, WA
User Experience Director
Created and managed a UX design team for start-up Internet company. The company had an existing product with a loyal user-base (a web platform for photographers) and was about to enter a new industry (selling online stock photography).
- Advocated customer experience as strategic to all business objectives with executives on an ongoing basis.
- Integrated UCD into the existing product development process. Worked with multi-disciplinary teams to further understanding of user needs and importance of the user experience.
- Directed and conducted multiple usability studies; trained support, PM and design members to conduct usability studies and other user research. Presented findings and recommendations to executives.
- Remained hands-on in design of features while directing multiple simultaneous design projects.
May 2001 to February 2006
Getty Images Inc., Seattle, WA www.gettyimages.com
Lead UI Designer
Led UI design projects for multiple e-commerce web sites of Getty Images, a multi-billion dollar global company.
- Worked closely with teams throughout North America and Europe, including business executives, analysts, program and project managers, sales & marketing, usability engineers and web development.
- Led the redesign of key functional areas of the e-commerce web site, including searching, purchasing and downloading of digital media over multiple versions of the primary stock site(s), as well as the complete redesign which launched in spring 2007.
1998 - 2001
Sierra Online/Havas Interactive, Bellevue, WA
UI Design Manager (March 2000 to February 2001)
Managed UI design team for Sierra Home (division of Sierra Online); oversaw design & release of 20+ consumer software titles (3D HomeDesigner, 3D LandDesigner, Print Artist, Generations, Master Cook and more). Worked with the UI team throughout design process, encouraging individual career growth and the success of the department through mentoring, motivation and an exciting learning environment.
Senior UI Designer & UI Art Director (August 1998 to March 2000)
Product design & art direction from concept through user research, design, prototyping, and usability testing. Helped define feature strategy, design project management, conducted user research and analysis, gathered user requirements, created prototypes, and wrote detailed design specifications, working with marketing, developers and testers during the product lifecycle.
1996 - 1998
Broderbund Software, Novato, CA www.broderbund.com
Senior UI Designer (contract)
Designed and prototyped UI navigation, functionality and visual design of for one of the (then) top-selling consumer software products, PrintShop, and contributed to other consumer software products published by Broderbund.
1994 - 1996 Gamut Productions, San Francisco, CA
Senior Designer & Art Director
High-end graphic design, information design, interaction design, and illustration. Projects ranged from glossy multi-page brochures for high-tech companies to websites to video and interactive multimedia for product demos and corporate training.
1987 - 1994 Leigh Allen Graphic Design (Freelance), San Francisco, CA
Graphic Design & Art Direction
Worked primarily in San Francisco and Palo Alto (with stints in Germany and Los Angeles) designing high-end print projects: annual reports, marketing materials, branding, packaging, catalogs, and other print collateral.
EDUCATION
1994 - 1997, San Francisco State University (San Francisco, CA)
BA Film, emphasis in Directing and Producing
1985 - 1993 SF State and Pitzer College (Claremont, CA)
Fine Art concentration