Design Director

Marie Thacker Seattle, WA *****@************.*** http://awesomegiant.com

EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR

Marie is a passionate and focused Director putting her extensive background of interactive design and user experience out there for the good of creative teams everywhere.She has a proven track record of successfully translating clients’ visions and goals into powerful and attractive branded design and exceptionally effective user-centric featuresHer unique expertise in visual design, UX & UI design, strategy, web development, and targeted business goals gives her a thorough and intricate knowledge across the entire project lifecycleShe’s able to successfully resolve design and UI challenges with effectively executed resolutionsMarie successfully manages in-house design teams to ensure high quality, smooth workflow and strict deadlines are met with professionalism and creative finesseClient collaborations include: ACLU, Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, The Boeing Company, Classmates.com,

Glam.com, Idearc SuperPages, Microsoft, PopCap Games, Z2Live, and numerous startups

Core Competencies

UX strategy & planningUX & UI designMobile App Visual & UX DesigniPhone, iPad & Android experienceHand-Code CSS, XHTML, JavaScript Art direction, mentoring and teambuilding/coachingUsability & analytics analysisTroubleshooting & problem solving

Technical BackgroundPlatforms: Mac, Windows, UNIX, LinuxTools: Adobe Creative Suite, Omnigraffle, BalsamiqDevelopment: CSS, XHTML, DHTML, AJAX, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Drupal, SVN/version control

Professional Experience

PRINCIPAL & EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR, Awesome Giant – Seattle, WA 1996 - PresentUX and consultant focused on user experience design & strategy, brand development, and mobile appsProvide visual design and user experience expertise to businesses and agencies nationwideWork with numerous startups defining the brand, creative direction, and product UXProvide full UX analysis and reports to improve usability and conversionProvide front and back-end development services, collaborating with in-house dev teamsSuccessfully collaborated with in-house design teams for clients including Amazon.com, Dex Knows, Idearc SuperPages, PopCap Games, and many more

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Doyenz, Inc. – Bellevue, WA 2010 - 2011

Doyenz is a startup that provides cloud-based disaster recovery services for managed service providersLead the creative vision, user experience and web developmentSpearheaded & executed on full rebrand and corporate site redesignConduct usability tests and presented a UX analysis report with optimization recommendationsAssist marketing with all creative needs both online and offlineManage a team of contractors as well as provide hands-on contributionManage web development; Architected recent website redesign in Drupal 6

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Alphabox Creative – Seattle, WA 2010

Alphabox Creative is a startup full-service creative agency

Lead the creative vision, user experience and web developmentSpearheaded a full rebrand offline & online for this early stage startupEstablished and managed the creative direction for all client projectsLed client pitch meetings, prepared supporting visuals and pitch workSourced talent to build a new in-house creative team

FOUNDER, SparkleShelf.com – Seattle, WA 2007 - 2009Sparkle*Shelf was a vibrant social network and webzine for fashion and beauty addicts.Sold sparkleshelf.com in August ‘09 to a Seattle startupSuccessfully built a community of thousands of registered members, and unique visitors on a minimal budget Contributed entirely to the concept, design, development, and maintenance for the web property Responsible for full brand development, product design, and product developmentManaged an editorial team of 15 writersAnalyzed stats and continually optimized features for conversion and usability

WEB ART DIRECTOR, PopCap Games – Seattle, WA 2006 -2007

PopCap Games is a leading casual games developer, releasing titles such as Bejeweled and Plants vs ZombiesEstablished and managed the creative vision and user experience for PopCap.comKey stakeholder involved in strategic decisions affecting PopCap.comBuilt and established an in-house team of designers and front-end developersProvided art direction, strategic planning, innovative solutions for design challengesLead a total site redesign and rebrand which greatly improved usability and contributed to an increase in download conversionsManaged an ongoing effort to optimize site performance that lead to increased conversionsRequired familiarity with Web metrics data using Omniture, as well as knowledge of HCI and UI standardsResponsible for team planning, budget, hiring, management, contractor management, resource allocation, scheduling, and mentoring

DIRECTOR OF UX & CREATIVE, CarDomain Network – Seattle, WA 2006

CarDomain Network is the web’s largest community of car enthusiastsLead the creative vision and user experience for the company’s online community and retail storeManaged and art directed both online and offline creativeInterfaced with multiple departments to accurately translate goals to the finished productRequired a thorough understanding of the creative design process, UI (user interface) design, branding strategy and cross-departmental project managementManaged a team of designers and developers, providing mentoring and team buildingImplemented a new working process and team strategy to increase efficiency and better allocation of resources

DESIGN DIRECTOR, Donordigital – San Francisco, CA 2004 - 2006

Donordigital is an agency that provides fundraising solutions for non-profits, advocacy and candidatesManaged the design and development for all projects supporting offices in San Francisco and Washington D.C. Provided art direction and established the creative strategy for this agencyRequired a thorough understanding of all aspects of web design, programming, and FlashRequired extensive knowledge of online marketing strategies and campaign creationImplemented a company wide project management process that increased efficiency of the project lifecycleEstablished, managed and mentored a team of designers, developers, and production staffProjects included marketing campaigns, interactive media and website designs for high profile clients such as ACLU, Amnesty International, The Human Rights Campaign, Humane Society and NARAL Pro-Choice America

SENIOR WEB DESIGNER, Classmates.com – Renton, WA 2002 - 2004

Classmates.com is a service-oriented Website connecting peopleServed as lead designer and art director for a team of designersInterfaced daily with marketing, copywriters and developers to create visually engaging interfaces Lead designer for corporate website redesign initiative, and redesign of email products

CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, Ash White Multimedia LLC – Seattle, WA 1999 - 2002

Oversaw startup of this creative agency specializing in online marketing and interaction designLead creative direction for all projectsManaged team of designers and developersReceived recognition as Site of the Day from Macromedia for interactive Flash site, ashwhite.com

AFFILIATIONS AIGA, SIG CHI, SIG GRAPH

EDUCATION BA in Painting 1996, University of Washington

PORTFOLIO http://awesomegiant.com

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