Christian Valla
UX Researcher, Designer, Psychologist
*** ******* ******, *** *********, CA 94114
P: 415-***-****, *********.*****@*****.***
EDUCATION
Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles 2018
MFA Art and Design (Result: A)
General Assembly, San Francisco 2016
Professional Certificate. Visual / UI Design. Lara McCormick CalArts, Valencia / Online 2016
Professional Certificate. Graphic design.
Norman Nielsen, San Francisco 2013
Professional Certificate. UX design, UX research
Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark 2001
Master of Science (MSC), Cognitive Psychology (Result: A)
- Thesis: Visual Selective Attention.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway 2000 Master of Science (MSC), Experimental Psychology (Result: A)
- Thesis: Visual Selective Attention.
(Published in Journal of Perception & Psychophysics, 2007, 69 (6), 1040) UX Researcher
Barnes & Noble INC, Palo Alto, CA 2013 - 2014
Research on Barnes & Noble website and all the Nook client apps (WIN, IOS, Android). End to end research. Reported directly to the UX Director. Responsible (with one other researcher) for developing a new research lab as well as improving the logistics PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MFA student ArtCenter College of Design
Portfolio example:
http://res.cloudinary.com/general-assembly-profiles/image/upload/ v1463194258/vnyobt20wvoqrcvkztfa.pdf
2016 - 2018
UX Researcher, Design Researcher
Clients:
J.P.Morgan & Chase, San Francisco
Usability testing of chase.com website. Concept testing of Chase app for desktop and mobile.
Lead researcher for usability testing of the new Chase ATM user experience (ATM machines in all Chase banks.) Rolled out nationally 2016/2017.
Lead researcher for research team in San Francisco and Ohio. Created an ATM mock up hardware and software for realistic testing in research lab in San Francisco. Worked closely with design team and stakeholders to test the development of the ATM software. Testing cycles with 10 users every week until product launched.
Redshift Digital (Client: Kaiser Permanente), San Francisco User research on new website across all platforms for Kaiser Permanente. Usability testing, concept testing, generative research, interviews, surveys, click testing. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/ TWITTER, San Francisco
User experience research on twitter.com. Concept testing and usability testing of old and new sign-up flow.
NIXON, San Diego
User research on nixon.com website (desktop, tablet, phone). Usability testing of purchase flow.
Apr 2016 – Sep 2016
April 2015 – Apr 2016
May 2014 – Sept 2015
February 2014 - May 2014
of the research in the company.
• Worked closely with interaction designers, visual designers, engineers and PM’s to test and develop new client apps across all platforms.
• Early concept testing and usability testing of new client apps (all platforms).
• Also: diary studies, surveys, interviews, focus groups, competitive and heuristic analysis. UX Researcher (contractor), Los Angeles 2011 - 2013 Clients:
• Akasha Naturals, Santa Monica
Usability testing (website)
• Jugglebox, New York City
Usability testing (website)
• CorePilates New York City
Usability testing (website)
Researcher
SRG, Denmark 2008 - 2010
Surveys, research, analysis, reporting
• Co-wrote and presented national analysis of SRG’s efficiency to board of directors.
• Optimized internal communication and feedback systems within the organization.
• Teaching experience: Stress management. Studying technique. Coaching instructor
Coachpartners, Denmark (part time). 2005 - 2006
Teaching experience: Professional Coaching & Leadership Training. Researcher
iMotions, Copenhagen, Denmark 2004 – 2008
Research and development on human computer interaction.
• Oversaw research that helped raise 1.5 million in initial funding for the development, research and marketability of a globally recognized eye tracking software platform.
• Oversaw the strategic research that helped iMotions grow from four to fifty-five employees in five years. Clients: P&G, Kraft, Nestle, Gillette, Carlsberg, Cadbury, Millward Brown.
• Executed specific research projects for Bang & Olufsen. Phd Candidate & Research Assistant
Aarhus University / Copenhagen Business School, Denmark 2002 - 2003 Research and development. Raised $230,000 funding for a Phd project
• Investigated the role of tacit knowledge and emotional engagement in decision-making and learning.
• Investigated learning and decision-making using small and large-scale simulators. Research Assistant
TNS, Gallup, Taylor, Copenhagen, Denmark 2001 - 2002 Research and development. Preferences, emotions and decision-making.
• Researched the impact of tacit knowledge and emotions in learning experiences using Eye-tracking, GSR, facial EMG and other psycho-physiological measurements. CERTIFICATES / TRAINING
CalState Fullerton January 2013
UX research
Stanford University October 2012
Human Computer Interaction, online
University of Massachusetts February 2010
Mindfulness training, Jon Kabat-Zinn.
International Coaching Community (ICC) January 2006 Certificate International Certified Professional coach TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Developed and taught courses within: Visual perception & attention, attention training / mindfulness, cognitive psychology, coaching.
SKILLS
Experience with Usability testing, concept testing, focus groups, diary studies, surveys, interviews, competitive analysis, heuristic analysis, collaborative workshops. Fluent in Sketch 3, Adobe creative cloud, Optimal Work- shop. Experience with Morea, dScout, Silverback, Qualtrix, web development tools (Wordpress), eye-tracking, GSR, facial EMG.
100% fluent in English, Norwegian and Danish. Expert user of MAC, PC, all office tools. REFERENCES
On request
PUBLICATIONS
2008 “World of Emotions - Attention, Involvement & Motivation.” (DeLemos & Valla). Advertising Research Foundation Annual Convention, New York. (2008). 2007 “Effects of Spatial Separation between Stimuli in Whole report from Brief Visual Displays”.
(Kyllingsbak, Valla, Vanrie, Bundesen). Perception & Psychophysics (2007). . 2006 ”Selective Visual Attention – An Experimental investigation” (Bundesen, Kyllingsbak, Valla & Vanrie, 2002). Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006). 2005 “Tacit knowledge and decision-making”. (Valla). Agora - Danish Pedagogic University (2005). 2004 “Emotions and Learning”. (Valla). Moment (2004). 2003 “Stuck without emotions” (Valla). Learning Lab Denmark. (2003).