Robert C. Murphy
******@**-******.***
Career Objective
User Experience Researcher - improve the user experience and interactions with devices and interfaces by analyzing human behavior through formal research or usability testing.Human Factors SkillsPerform heuristic evaluations to assess usability of user interfacesDevelop research plans, incorporating PM s, designer s and company s requirementsConduct and analyze usability tests (local, remote, iterative, comparative, etc.)Work with and analyze longitudinal / diary studiesConduct on-site field studies / interviewsPresent results with recommendations to fellow team members and managementSurvey design, analysis and reportingDevelop task / work flow architect based on business and user needsCreate UI mockups, and wireframesComputer Software SkillsOvo Studios, Camtasia, Morae, UserVue, Minitab, SPSSHTML, CSS, SQL, JavaScript, PHP, Object-Oriented Programming/SystemsPhotoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)Employment
User Experience Researcher
12/10 Present
Level Studios
San Jose, CA
Gather product requirements from stakeholders and end-usersConduct usability studies; create plans, recruit participants, analyze and present findingsConduct surveys determining end-user's satisfaction and needs in using productsProjects / Focus Areas:IT / Storage solutions
Usability Researcher
8/09 8/10
Microsoft (contract through Collabera)
Seattle, WA; Mountain View, CA
Help drive the direction of product development:Assess the usability and desirability of various channels and features within msn.com through planning and conducting usability studiesCollect data on user s on-line activities, behavior and use of current products through site visits and diary studiesTrack user s behavior and perception with product during a transition of major website updates through diary studies and remote on-line interviewsIdentify and provide recommendations addressing usability issues through heuristic evaluationsCreate and introduce new research methodologies to better access user s perception of productsCompile and present a summary of past research activities and findings, along with the progression of product updatesProjects / Focus Areas:Entertainment: TV, Video, Music
User Experience Researcher
1/05 8/08
Shop.com, Monterey, CA
Initiated the user research program and became key source for incorporating user feedback into the product development processParticipate in concept/design reviewsConduct evaluations and provide usability feedbackConduct numerous usability studies, collecting user feedback and assessing ease-of-use of design concepts and current websiteMonitor and report product quality and user satisfaction based on customer feedback and survey resultsDesigned and updated ecommerce web pagesAssisted with A/B testing activitiesAnalyzed and reported log files and web metricsServed as key point of contact for projects and UI issuesProvided training and support to junior membersContributed to QA efforts by troubleshooting and reporting product issuesProjects / Key AccomplishmentsIncreased conversion rate with updated checkout systemIncreased user participation and satisfaction with coupon sign-up and usageIncreased user engagement within search results Increased visibility and ease-of-use of on-site gameEvaluated user s awareness of and satisfaction with special affiliate programs
Custom Website Engineer
4/00 1/05
Shop.com, Monterey, CA
www.shop.com
Build and update database driven user interfaces for e-commerce website.Assist in quality assurance, through troubleshooting, reporting and fixing bugs.
Website Design Engineer
4/98 - 4/00
Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, Watsonville, CA
www.telescope.com
Retailer and catalog sales of telescopes, binoculars and accessories
Design and maintain e-commerce and corporate website and databaseCreate banner ads, monitor marketing and search resultsProvide design and production support for printed catalog. Extensive HTML, JavaScript, StyleSheets, web graphics.
Catalog Production Supervisor
11/91 - 4/98
West Marine Products, Watsonville, CA
Nationwide retailer and catalog sales of marine products
Hired as a temporary freelancer, eventually promoted to Supervisor of Catalog Production. Hired, trained, and managed up to 9 people working on 900+ page annual catalog and 16+ page seasonal catalogs.Streamlined and automated production methodsDesign and layout of catalogs, catalog covers, retail flyers, and direct photo shootsProof content and review designs for accuracy and adherence to guidelinesWeb page design, intranet developmentEducation
M.S. Human Factors and Ergonomics
2005, San Jose State University
GPA: 3.96
Curriculum:Statistics / Experimental DesignPsychometrics (Survey Design and Analysis)Cognition (undergraduate)Thesis: The effect of target color and contrast on movement times in aimed movement tasks.
Project studied the interaction between perception and motor control within a GUI, using a Fitts law style experiment.
Thesis was presented and published in the Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 50th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Oct 2006.
University of California, Santa Cruz Extension
Curriculum:Interface Design & DevelopmentJava/OO Programming (various levels)
MembershipsBay Area Computer Human Interaction (BayCHI)Human Factors and Ergonomics SocietyPersonal InterestsMusician (drums)