Design Quality Assurance
Resume:
Aaron Matthew McGuire
Lead Visual Design & Interactive Art Direction
http://www.aaronmcguire.com
******@************.***
Santa Clara, CA 95054
USA
ul. Ludowa 4
05816 Michalawice
POLAND
OVERVIEW
Accomplished user experience and interactive designer with over nine years of experience in consumer web
and software application development. Specific expertise in concept ideation, product strategy and planning,
information architecture, interaction design, visual design, user-centered design process and end-to-end
product development across web and desktop platforms. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, collaboration
and communication skills and is passionate about engaging interactive technology and how it is evolving in
today’s world.
EDUCATION
Masters of Art in Environmental Design
University of Missouri, Columbia
2002 - 2003
Digital Media program brings attention to digital media as an integral part of the design process, focuses on
graphic ideation and the application of computer technology for architecture, interior and related disciplines.
Bachelors of Science in Environmental Design
University of Missouri, Columbia
1997 - 2001
Pre-Architecture program in the School of Environmental Design focused on research, development, and
implementation of plans and designs for structural environments to improve the quality of life, increase
productivity and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
EXPERIENCE
Yahoo!
Senior Visual Designer 2006 – 2007 / 2009 -
CURRENT
As the Senior Visual Designer at Yahoo in both the Connected Life Group (2006 - 2007) and the Messenger
Group (2009 - Current) I lead the visual design efforts for both the Yahoo’s Broadband partner platform and its
associated products and Windows Messenger Client and Messenger In Mail experiences by working with other
designers, design managers, product managers, user researchers and other stakeholders. I used diverse
design and business decisions to support the requirements of each project and transferred knowledge between
groups to delight customers and provide mutually beneficial connections between Yahoo and it customers &
advertisers. This was achieved by the translation of user research and business requirements, storyboarding,
conceptual models/prototypes, documenting design rationale and functional specifications.
• Visual design lead and single point of contact for all partner platform initiatives within the Connected Life UED Group
• Lead visual designer on the Widows Messenger client and performed version updates and new look and feel explorations
• Design lead for the Messenger in Mail experience to align interaction and visual design with new mail design initiatives
• Generated design options that translated design thinking into business language, enabling project managers to make better
strategic decisions
• Documented design rationale of the user experience for Yahoo’s Broadband partner platform and its associated products,
including portal pages for partners such as AT&T, Verizon, Rogers and BT
• Lead the rebranding effort from SBC to AT&T on all of the partner platform products
Intuit
Visual Designer
2008 - 2009
As a Small Business Group Visual Designer I served to conceptualize and to create a positive and delightful
user experiences in Intuit next generation of small business and personal finance applications by
understanding the illustrated strategic thinking and designed business goals. I worked collaboratively with
interaction designers, researchers and product managers to provide the continuity across all product teams;
thus creating user interactions that were appealing, functional, engaging, effective and visually unified within
a Flex based environment.
• Involved in the continuous cycle of learning from users, by injecting the learning back into strategy and designs for upcoming
releases
• Collaborated effectively with interaction designers, researchers and product managers
• Created visionary concepts that translated into simplistic user-centered design experiences
• Provided visual and interaction continuity across all new and current products
• Established and maintained visual and Flex libraries for the larger teams to use
• Infused projects with the Intuit brand to create a positive emotional connection between the customer and Intuit
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Senior Visual Designer 2007 -
2008
In the role of Senior Visual Designer in the User Experience Group within Enterprise Rent-A-Car corporate
offices my primary responsibilities managing the design efforts for the customer facing enterprise.com and the
B2B product known as ARMS (automated rental management system). I lead these efforts through open
dialogue with usability architects, front-end developers, design managers and product managers to evolve the
visual language of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brands online presence. Other projects included style guide
development and design patterns library for the consumer facing rental website.
• Participate in concept development and product ideation
• Create effective designs that addressed user needs, brand requirements and business goals
• Successfully communicated strategic ideas, design rationale and the specifics of a user-centered design process
• Collaborate with other designers and cross-functional team to define and refine product objectives
• Suggested and structured new process improvements within areas of responsibility
• Evolved the design consistency for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand
Touchwood Creative
Senior Interactive Art Director 2004 – 2006
As the Senior Interactive Art Director my key role was to be the strategic thinker that defined the creative
solution and lead the design vision from brief to production by way of solid user-centered design principles.
Along with developing my own designs to a polished state I was creative lead on other projects and gave
creative direction to junior members of the team. Directly managed a team of designers and developers to
work in a collaborative manner to achieve holistic user experiences on all projects resulting in strategic
product decisions that supported the client’s business goals, ROI, and brand strategy.
• Contributed to the business development and client relation through client presentations and working design sessions with
executive management
• Aided in the development process with informed application architecture, diagrams, and user-flows
• Lead the creative team by defining vision, direction and overall goals of the product
• Managed and mentoring junior designers and developers
• Translated complex concepts to convincing and compelling visualizations
• Defined and implemented interaction design parameters, style guides, and visual standards
• Acted as a team player willing to do whatever it took to make the work better
• Drove and inspired the overall direction of creative group
• Assisted development team with front-end development work
• Produced several award winning product designs
Questus
Interactive Designer 2003 -
2004
As interactive art director in the creative department I built and maintained a team rapport with both creative
and account service teams by being a collaborative team player, lead the design team to focus on the
customer experience and providing quality assurance on all creative deliverables. By having a near obsessive-
compulsive attention to detail on all creative solutions I produced engaging interactive experience that
exceeded the strategic objectives. I participated in the planning, concepting and production of eye-catching
online marketing and corporate design solutions for Fortune 500 companies. Other responsibilities included
pitch work, motion design, character animation, and style guides in the interactive space.
• Concepted and executed motion design for various experiences consistent with clients’ marketing strategies
• Worked closely with creative directors to concept and develop Flash projects, including Web sites, rich media ads,
presentations and other animations
• Proven ability as a Flash designer to integrate Flash animation, AS 2.0, XML and other elements
• Contributed to creative process from beginning to end bringing the creative vision to life onscreen while paying close
attention to technical parameters
• Created storyboards and style guides that outlined web animations and transformed them into innovative animated
experiences.
• Prototyped new design visions and explored various design options
• Directed production artists to set up assets for multiple ad banner sizes and formats while conforming to rich media provider
specifications
• Proven eye for design and motion with exemplary attention to detail
• Constant thirst for knowledge to help better shape and improving personal skills
• Interviews new employees for open design roles
• Participates in client meetings as needed and maintains positive relationships with clients
University of Missouri, Columbia
Web Designer 2001 - 2003
As Web Designer I was responsible for the creation of online visual design, including typography, visual
concept, logo and icon design for both Internet and interactive projects. I achieved this by effectively
communicating and coordinating with project coordinators, department liaisons, junior designers and
copywriters to ensure that the overall design communicated the desired message and met various technical
and performance specifications. Other responsibilities included leading/mentoring junior designers, monitoring
the implementation of designs, and communicating effectively with all stakeholders.
• Optimized visual design and concept in both the Internet and multimedia environment
• Visually expressed and integrated information architecture, editorial deliverables and technical specifications from project
team
• Communicated with the project team throughout all stages of design
• Solidly understood client deliverables with clear ownership of specific role
• Created original designs for the both Internet and interactive projects
• Developed web interfaces that performed appropriately and ensured quality across multiple browsers and platforms
• Collaborated with department liaisons to product the information architecture for development feasibility
• Adapted visual designs into dynamic websites and website templates
• Deadline-oriented and proven ability to prioritize and accomplish multiple projects within tight timeframes
• Adhered to and help develop best practices
• Lead and mentored junior designers within the creative services department
• Proficient knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, HTML, JavaScript and CSS
SKILLS
Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Flex, Premiere, After Effects, 3D Studio Max, AS 2.0, HTML, CSS, JQuery
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