Bigger Ideas, Interaction Design
Bigger Ideas, Interaction Design

 

Creating a conceptual model:

Albert Einstein once said, "Make it simple, as simple as possible but no simpler." This is the goal of user experience.
As simple as it sounds, it is
not easy.

I usually start by looking for visual representations of problems and solutions and draw only the essential items of the system and the relationship they have to other elements. The tasks reveals themselves and creates a trail of where the workflow begins and ends.
The challenge is to get developers to view the solution from the users perspective, from the task rather than from how the software will function. Once I can do this, the question becomes, how do I present this functionality in a way that is obvious to the user, perhaps through a
familiar analogy.

This, by the way, is clearly the most difficult job of user interface design, creating the balance between the obvious user tasks and the system functionality. Analogies usually become the basis for the UI conceptual model.

A map is the artifact resulting from the conceptual model and is used for extracting information from the user's task domain as well as the implementation domain. It is useful in so many ways including a tool for tracking unnecessary features and functionality and inappropriate assumptions.

In interaction design, I transpose this model into a visual communication of wireframes as a communication tool.
As a designer, I find the structure in information that is useful for an intended audience.

Creating Conceptual Models

The conceptual model reveals patterns in a visual way.

Note: Due to the sensitivity of some of these projects, larger images are available in-person only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interaction Design

Project: Self-Service PC Migration and Deployment

Roles: User Research/Interaction/Design/Documentation

Description: An automation tool which would enable the user to easily transfer data from their old to new computer.

Challenge: Highly technical and physcial computer issues for most users.

Solution: Create a friendly wizard approach to the migration and deployment processes which informs the users of the actions they must take with the physical hardware. I helped to rewrite the process instructions to empower the user to perform the tasks independently and with confidence.

Easy Data Transfer Step 1 Easy Data Transfer Step 2 Easy Data Transfer Step 3 Easy Data Transfer Step 9

 

Project: Anti-Money Laundering Dashboard

Role: Interaction Design

Description: The dashboard provides views into areas of interest within the Bank.

Challenge: No single data framework.

Solution: Microsoft, customizable SharePoint framework providing technical and business views for better reporting and accessibility.

AML Dashboard AML Dashboard

AML Dashboard AML Dashboard

 

Project: ePeriodicals for the Tablet PC

Roles: User Research/Interaction Design

Description: Electronic magazines for the Tablet PC.

Challenge: Maintain the traditional magazine format while providing rich Tablet PC interactivity.

Solution: Create an almost transparent, interactive navigation scheme and Tablet PC Palette while maintaining the integrity of the magazine experience.

 

ePeriodical ePeriodical

ePeriodicals Technology Transfer to a reading experience for The New York Times

 

Project: Microsoft SQL Analysis Framework and Tools

Roles: Interaction Design/UX PM/Information Graphics/Documentation

Description: A structured tool Intended for the DBA/Data Warehouse Professionals who work with a variety of data sources and tools allowing easy automation for highly complex processes. Review on the DTS System:
http://www.developer.com/db/article.php/3310051

Challenge: Work within the constraints of the Visual Studio Framework to connect the shared and different tools throughout the application ID.

Solution: Integrate OLAP Cubes, Data Transformation Services and Data Mining into a MS Visual Studio environment to provide a seamless and automated experience in the data warehouse environment. Develop cross-division collaboration on standardizing user interface guidelines.

 

SQL Analysis Services KPIs SQL Analysis Services Calculations

SQL Analysis Services Dataming MS SQL Analysis Services DTS

 

Project: F5 Enterprise Management

Role: User Research/UI Design

Description: A centralized device management appliance that lowers the cost and complexity of managing F5 devices. The interface helps you select, stage, and automate common operational tasks, including:

  • Device Inventory
  • Distributed Configuration Management
  • Device Configuration Certificate Management
  • Workflow Management
  • Application Templates Configuration
  • Viewer Backup, Restore, Compare Configurations

Challenge: Providing user research in the Agile development environment.

Solution: Reverse engineer, create flows ahead of each Sprint along with a few representations of real screens.

 

F5 Enterprise Management F5 Enterprise Management

f5 Enterprise Management f5 Enterprise Management Flows

 

Project: VIACK Secure Video Conferencing

Role: User Research/UI Design

Description: Secure Video Conferencing.

Challenge: Improve the features and interaction flows of the tool.

Solution: Restructure the interface to provide simple ways to identify the tools used for communication and sharing.

    User experience functions to:

    • Visualize functional specs
    • Provide concrete approaches (through iterations with business and development) to save development time and make
      the project more cost effective

    Secure Video Conferencing VIA3 designs

     

     

     

Usability

My experience in usability includes both formal and informal reviews at all stages of the Software Development Lifecycle. I can identify objectives, create evaluation plans, conduct card sorts, focus groups or individual contextual design studies, analyze results, as well as present findings to stakeholders to improve design or process. Here are a few examples of my work.

Project: Microsoft Security User Experience

Description: In Microsoft Security, I was a part of a small team supporting over 128 different technologies. Evangelism, presentations for lead security architects, heuristic evaluations, stakeholder interviews, conceptual modeling, work flows and mapping were all a part of my user experience activities within this group.




Card Sort Activity


Microsoft Security Evangelism


Microsoft Security Conceptual Modeling

Web Design

Project: Microsoft Project Lite

Microsoft Project Lite

 

Project: Paradise Beauty Salon

Paradise Beauty Salon

 

Project: Hotel L'ulivio Website

Hotel L'ulivio Website

Hotel L'ulivio Website Interactive Map

Hotel L'ulivio Website and Collateral

 

Project: Twisted Radio/KZOK Website

Twisted Radio Website

 

Project: Willowbay Bed & Breakfast

Willowbay Bed & Breakfast

 

Project: Acorn Bakery Website

Acorn Bakery Website

 

Project: Belvi Coffee Exchange Website

Belvi Coffee Exchange Website

 

Design

Project: Italiaseattle Logo

Italiaseattle Logo

 

Project: Hotel L'ulivio Collateral

Hotel L'ulivio Collateral

 

Project: Stage Race T-Shirt Logo

Stage Race T-Shirt Logo

 

 

Project: Cursillo Logo

Cursillo Logo

 

Project: Wedding Invitation

Wedding Invitation

 

Project: Willowbay Bed & Breakfast Logo

Willowbay Bed & Breakfast Logo

 

 

 

Fun Stuff