EDUCATION
Master of Science in Computer Science - California State University Northridge
- Thesis topic: Automation and Improvement of Student Performance Feedback through a Secure Web-based System, the design and development of a fully-functional web application using JavaServer Pages, JavaBeans, and MySQL technologies.
Bachelor of Science in Journalism & Mass Communications, minor in Geology - Iowa State University
Photography and Film studies - Brooks Institute of Photography
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Adobe Systems, Inc., San Jose, California – January 2005 to Present
- Senior User Experience Developer
- Develop the front-end user experience for Flex-based projects and applications.
- Recent projects have included the Creative Suite 5 Installers, CS5 Comment and Review Web Client, Connect Pro, Resource Central and product welcome screens.
- User Interaction Designer / Prototyper
- Designed the user experience for Adobe Photoshop Elements emphasizing user-centered design.
- Developed detailed, interactive prototypes for feature and user interface testing using ActionScript and Flash.
- Worked with User Researchers to determine feature sets and workflows for target Photoshop Elements customers.
California State University, Northridge - Marketing Department – September 2003 to December 2004
- Photographer
- Photographed sporting events, campus activities, local stories and other events for the CSUN Marketing Department while a graduate student in Computer Science.
DreamWorks SKG, Glendale, California – Summer Internship 2003
- Feature Animation Software Engineers
- Added user interface components to existing applications and developed new utilities using Perl/TK, C, and UNIX shell to insure data consistency and increase production efficiency on the 3D-animated feature film “Shark Tale.”
Distance Learning Systems Group, California State University, Northridge – February 2002 to June 2003
- Interactive Course Designer
- Designed and coded interactive projects using Flash, Director, and PowerPoint for online courses offered through CSU. Development emphasised user-friendly human interface design and application stability.
- Lead course design, implementation, and testing on a 12-chapter Engineering Management online course.
Freelance Film Industry, Los Angeles, California – August 1998 to January 2002
- Accepted into the exclusive Director’s Guild of America Training Program. Worked on a variety of film and tv productions, handling everything from the daily production report to coordinating actors. Project list available.
Quark, Inc., Denver, Colorado – February 1994 to July 1998
- Senior Technical Marketing Specialist
- Oversaw evangelism efforts and tradeshow demonstrations throughout the U.S. and Europe.
- Analyzed publishing industry and technology trends to discover new markets for Quark products.
- Supervised a team of Product Specialists.
- Associate Product Manager - QuarkXPress
- Supported the Product Manager by overseeing technical issues in the development and release of QuarkXPress 4.0.
- Conducted customer focus groups to gain feedback on product features and user interface design.
- Developed and presented training materials and pre-release product demonstrations in the U.S. and Europe.
- Approved documentation and marketing materials for technical accuracy.
- Lead QuarkXPress Research and Development Team Technician
- Worked directly with R&D to provide user-interface feedback and feature recommendations.
- Managed internal bug-hunts, and provided technical support for a world-wide beta testing program.
Parson's Technology, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa – October 1993 to January 1994
- Technical Support Representative
- Provided technical support to customers using Personal Tax Edge tax preparation software for Windows and DOS.
OTHER INTERESTS
Freelance Photographer; Former Director’s Guild of America Trainee; Former Microsoft Student Ambassador; Avid hiker and snow-boarder; Love to travel.