In Search of Beautiful and Useful

One of my favorite quotes has always been William Morris’ dictate: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” You can extend this metaphor to user experience–for every user experience should be both useful and beautiful. I have always strived to attain that goal as a content designer/developer, user researcher, and user assistance creator.

As well, I am an accomplished web producer, writer and editor of ongoing, highly-productive copy that informs, enlightens, and entertains. I’m interested in new technologies, which I learn quickly, and I can craft and implement content that will add value to internal and external customer’s experiences. Consider some of my other attributes:

• An experienced content strategist of 10+ years with skills in information design, site wireframes, taxonomy and the usability and design of information for both technical and end users.
• A proven user researcher, from formulating hypotheses to test and building research plans, implementing said plans, analyzing data, and then deriving design and usability recommendations to improve end user experience.
• Skilled in multiple quantitative and qualitative research methodologies conducted both remotely and in-person, in particular. Known for successfully moderating usability sessions, focus groups, and carrying out contextual inquiries and cognitive walk-throughs.
• A persuasive communicator with lauded web production and marketing achievements that include online product descriptions and reviews, video narratives, and marketing and campaign copy.
• Embraces a global perspective with UK localization knowledge acquired over 11 years residency, working within the e-commerce and content creation industry. Experienced in translating American English to British English and vice versa in cultural, technical and medical/healthcare content areas.
• A seasoned UX writer and editor with significant experience in creating both online contextual help and UI text, as well as complete product documentation sets for applications and services.
• A proven UX practitioner with experience creating personas, scenarios, storyboards, user journey maps, user flows, prototypes and wireframes, report findings templates and tools.

I am known for my successes in managing projects from their original ideation through to final creation, and have been credited with helping past employers attain important branding and revenue goals. Throughout my professional career, I’ve created and arranged words to suit each customer, employer and situation. And then made sure each customer found their experience both useful and beautiful.