Tayonna Thomas

adznp5@r.postjobfree.com Portfolio: https://tayonnathomas.framer.ai/ LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayonna-thomas-96a5ab249/ Location: *Blencoe, IA CAREER SUMMARY

Results-oriented and creative UX/UI Designer with 3 years of knowledge and experience in UX design and 11+ years in graphic, visual design, and illustration with a BA in Graphic Design. Advanced knowledge in Adobe Suite, Figma, and other relevant tools. Proficient in HTML and CSS. Strong background in psychology, marketing, and writing, combining analytical reasoning with creative thinking. Formally educated in a personalized course-plan to cover all multidisciplinary areas of Human-centered design and interaction. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful design solutions. Can wear multiple hats and take on several responsibilities. HARD SKILLS

User Experience Design (UX), User Interface Design (UI), Graphic & Visual design, Creative Strategy & Marketing, Information & Visual Hierarchy, Product Design, Wireframing, Prototyping, Information Architecture, User Research, Data Visualization, Usability Testing Design Thinking, & Interaction Design. Typography, Color, User Flows, Design Systems. UX writing & Communication. Vector, raster Illustration, Sketching, Drawing, & Idea generation. SOFT SKILLS

Creative-thinking & ideation, Resiliency, Complex-problem solving, Collaboration, Detail-oriented, Active-listening, Critical thinking, Adaptable, Self-sufficiency, Thick-skin and receptivity to feedback. WORK EXPERIENCE

Indeed January 2023 – May 2023

Creative Marketing Graphic & UX Designer Cedar Falls, IA

Orchestrated and facilitated cross-functional collaboration with Accounts, Strategy, Research, and Media ad agency departments to strategize and execute a highly impactful marketing campaign ranking top 3 in the district with the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC).

Generated a projected 3.2 billion Gen Z impressions and a target reach of 30 million by collaborating with a team of 8 designers, fostering an environment of creativity while providing expert guidance for the construction of visually stunning styles and the exploration of research-based suggestions.

Raised UAC by 20% by pioneering the generation of innovative ideas and translated them into visually captivating features, leveraging comprehensive research insights and user analysis data to help the company stay ahead of the competition.

Designed and delivered 43+ pieces of promotional materials, including high-fidelity mock-ups for billboards, display ads, and other visual materials, incorporating strategic business insights to drive design decisions and elevate the brand.

University of Northern Iowa August 2022 – January 2023 UX/UI Designer Cedar Falls, Iowa

Spearheaded the comprehensive redesign of an antiquated system built in 2005, infusing it with a modern aesthetic and enhanced functionality, as a member of a multidisciplinary team of UX Designers and Researchers to 9,000 students and over 100 faculty members with a 97% success rate upon initial user testing.

Gathered, organized and inspected 1,242 lines of user feedback with quantitative and qualitative analysis. Conducted interviews, and analysis, resulting in the creation of articulate journey maps, optimized flows, robust personas, insightful mental models, contextual scenarios, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes.

Achieved exceptional outcomes through astute observation of user thought processes, ensuring the seamless and intuitive utilization of the redesigned system. Reduced student course registration time by 8 hours and freed 64% of advisor time for other work. Reduced user click rate by 72%. Saved the company $85,000 per year through usability & design.

Self-Employed February 2013 – Present

Freelance Graphic Designer Blencoe, Iowa

Produced captivating designs and artworks across diverse mediums, including branding, print design, photo editing, illustration, and character design, consistently applying design thinking principles.

Won several awards for design expertise including a state-wide award for a yearbook design for a high school.

Attuned to and identified business and clients’ needs, actively listened, proactively anticipated requirements, and skillfully incorporated feedback to refine design solutions and exceed expectations.

Strategically justified design choices, leveraging expertise and industry best practices to ensure exceptional visual outcomes and foster trust in client relationships

EDUCATION

University of Northern Iowa May 2023

Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Cedar Falls, Iowa

Dean’s List for Cumulative GPA of 3.9/4.0.

Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and American Advertising Association (AAF). Iowa Western Community College May 2021

Associates of Arts, Graphic Design Council Bluffs, Iowa

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

CERTIFICATIONS

Layouts & Composition: Grids

LinkedIn Learning

Layouts & Composition: Advanced Principles

LinkedIn Learning

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Graphic Design, User Experience Design (UX), User Interface Design (UI), Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Branding & Identity, Print Design, Motion Design, Typography, Adobe Creative Suite, Creative Direction, Digital Experience Design, Customer Experience, Design, Creative Marketing & Strategy, Motivation & Emotional Psychology, Web Design, HTML/CSS. AWARDS

Golden Gliddy Award - Innovative and outstanding creative excellence. NSAC 2023. Dean’s List - For Academic Achievement 2021-23.

Graphic Design Fund - “No Longer Human Book Cover” University of Northern Iowa (2022). Honorable Mention Best Yearbook Cover & Design - Iowa High School Press Association (2019). The Writing Touch Magazine award and feature. - “Sun-Kissed Home.” – The Write Touch Magazine (2019). 1st Place for Best Yearbook Cover & Design - Iowa High School Press Association (2018). 2nd Place for Black History Month Spread Design - Iowa High School Press Association (2018). ORGANIZATIONS

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, American Advertising Association, Horatio Alger Scholar Association.

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