Creative Technologist and UI/UX Specialist

James “Jess” Planck

985-***-**** https://swampthings.net

****@******.***

Professional Summary

A creative problem-solver with 15+ years of experience as a Creative Technologist, delivering innovative and user-centric solutions at the intersection of visual design and web development to achieve measurable business outcomes. Proven ability to translate complex needs into user-centric and effective designs for print, web, video, and electronic media. Expertise includes: UI/UX design, branding, front-end development (React, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), CMS platforms (WordPress, Drupal), and project management. Consistently improved key website metrics (including traffic, user engagement, and conversion rates) for numerous client projects through SEO optimization, content marketing, and redesigned user interfaces, while adhering to WCAG accessibility guidelines and enhancing brand visibility. Skilled in leading teams, training users, and fostering strong client relationships.

Skills

Creative, Design & Content

Adobe Creative Suite applications,

Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign,

Dreamweaver, Premier, and others

Animation 2D & 3D

Art, Drawing & Painting

Content writing – various media

including social media, advertisements,

as well as long form documentation

Microsoft – Office Suite

Microsoft – Office Suite – Excel custom

data reporting

Video Production (storyboards, camera

work, editing)

SEO

UI/UX (User Interface / User

Experience)

Programming & Development

Accessibility Applications (SiteImprove,

Axe Devtools)

Drupal (7, 8, 9, 10)

HTML/CSS (also Less, SASS.

Bootstrap, Tailwind, others)

Javascript (ES6, some TypeScrypt)

Javascript frameworks (jQuery, ReactJS,

SvelteKit)

Local/Container Development (Docker,

Ddev, Vagrant, VMWare, others)

Microsoft – VS Code

MySQL/MariaDB (some Postgres)

NGINX

Node.js

Programming (Perl. PHP, Python, Other

languages.

WordPress (Multisite, BuddyPress,

bbPress, and including HyperDB)

Systems & Management

Agile, with waterfall variations

Apache

Cloud Services (Google, AWS)

Git, GitHub, Azure

Hosting (Dreamhost, GoDaddy, WP

Engine, Pantheon, others)

Package Management (Composer,

NPM)

Project Management, Bug tracking

and/or CI-CD systems (Bugherd,

Zendesk, FormStack, Azure, GitHub)

Linux (exp. Redhat, CentOS, Debian,

Ubuntu, SELinux)

MacOS

Shell scripting

Subversion(SVN)

Unix

Windows (IIS, AD, SCCM, KACE)

Experience

Grand Canyon Eduction

Phoenix, AZ (remote)

Frontend Web Developer

2022/04 – 2024/05

Develop and maintain various university websites using WordPress, Drupal, ReactJS. and other tools. Develop solutions using PHP, Javascript, ReactJS, and other front-end development libraries. Work and communicate within a design, QA, and development team on various projects. Use Azure Devops and GitHub for project management, code management, and website deployment. Use various testing tools like SiteImprove and Unlighthouse to ensure accessibility and performance. Perform code updates to NPM and other packages in PHP, Javascript, HTML, CSS, and other languages to improve user experience, accessibility, and performance.

Tulane University, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library

New Orleans, LA

Web Developer II

2018/11 – 2021/09

Develop and maintain Library websites using Drupal 7 & 8 (starting 9), WordPress, OJS, and other open source software in an agile development team environment.

Coordinate third party vendor systems with Library developers and websites. Work with Campus IT to test and enhance a CI/CD Linux Drupal workflow. Support and maintain Library staff computer inventory using KACE (transitioning to SCCM). Support and maintain Library systems using vendor software and hardware. James “Jess” Planck

985-***-**** https://swampthings.net

****@******.***

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, LA

Website Manager

2003/01 – 2018/08

Design, program, and maintain modern, responsive, and accessible web sites for effective communication with prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, donors, and visitors using PHP, Javascript, CSS, HTML and other production programing and scripting languages.

Coordinate, train, and support staff, writers, designers, and other content creators including contract vendors. Instruct, guide, and evaluate student workers and interns. Manage user accounts and web sites for faculty, department, and student projects. Maintain and develop websites using WordPress, WordPress Multi-site, and other systems and techniques. Coordinate with other technical departments to maintain and support virtually hosted systems using cloud based infrastructures.

Administer Linux(SELinux) based servers for web and database production and development. Create documentation and policy based on student, faculty, and administrative needs. Collect, analyze, and interpret website usage to improve accessibility, communication, and usability including search engine(seo) and social media exposure.

Xspedius

Lake Charles, LA

Senior Web Developer

2000/07 – 2002/09

Maintain corporate branding identity for all Web resources and customer utilities. Coordinate with Intranet and Internet programming teams to develop Web site interfaces. Maintain and administer Web servers on Linux and Solaris. Louisiana Tech University, School of Art

Ruston, LA

Assistant Professor

1999/08 – 2000/05

Instruct classes in print and graphics using QuarkXpress and Photoshop, classes instructing Web Design using HTML, CSS, and Javascript using Dreamweaver and other software, and classes in multimedia design using Macromedia Director/Flash and other software.

Writing documentation and syllabi.

Maintain MacOS X Server (AppleShare, Netboot).

Administer, troubleshooting, and testing the School of Art network and labs. WorldCom

Monroe, LA

Programmer Analyst

1996/05 – 1999/08

Creative development - iAmerica Product Development – includes; print (book), CD Rom (mastering for print/distribution, Web sites, and software / server development. Website Creative Direction, Project Management, and billing for iAmerica Web site clients. Server support and administration for hosted Web servers. Administrative support for mail servers. Coordinate with expert witnesses and engineers for accurate court presentations. Freelance / Contract

Various

Design/Art Direction

1984 - present

Projects for direct client work includes art direction and consulting, logo development, advertising plans, websites, and other creative works. This includes projects like t-shirts, signage, video as well as newspaper advertisements. Creative business planning, business research, project development and guidance. Time tracking and billing for client projects and vendor services. Sample work is available at:

Freelance Projects - https://swampthings.org/category/freelance/ Logos - https://swampthings.org/tag/logo/

Additional work experience is available by request. James “Jess” Planck

985-***-**** https://swampthings.net

****@******.***

Education

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, LA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (Cum Laude) 1995

US Army Armor Center (former)

Ft. Knox, KY

US Army Basic & Advanced Training (M1A1 Tank Crewman) 1989

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