Andrew H. Otwell
CONTACT
heyotwell [at] gmail [dot] com
SUMMARY
A tireless advocate for the user with more than ten years experience. I am driven by a rigorous curiosity and passion for the transformation of mere data into clear knowledge. From the study of the history of visual communication to the design of web applications, I am experienced in the process of structuring information in ways that persuade, explain, and educate.
I'm also the organizer of Design Engaged, a unique annual experience design conference. I've also taught Information Architecture, Interaction Design, and Programming for Designers.
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
- Fluent: User interface interaction design processes and techniques, HTML, CSS, Cross-platform and cross-browser compliance, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Visio.
- Proficient: XML/XSLT, UML, Javascript, object-oriented programming methods, color and typography theory.
- Working Knowledge: Ruby on Rails, ASP.NET, PHP.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Amazon.com, Seattle Washington
Senior User Interface Designer (April 2006 - present)
- Interaction design for sections of Amazon.com
- Interaction design for Amazon Mechanical Turk (through May 2007)
Surgient, Austin Texas
User Experience Designer (November 2003 - April 2006)
- Interaction design for a suite of web-based applications during two major and several minor releases
- Hand-wrote all XHTML and CSS for standards-based, customizable application interfaces designed to be rapidly customized and reskinned
- Worked closely with developers, product managers, and consultants to define user model and interaction flow, using storyboards, wireframe mockups, and prototypes
Freelance Interaction Designer & Information Architect
Between May 2001 and November 2003, my clients included:
Fusion Learning Systems, Austin Texas
- Redesign of the fully standards-compliant and accessible www.fusionlearningsystems.com.
- Introduced weblogs in several internal projects as communications tools
- Advised on user interface design processes
Mirage Networks, Austin Texas
- User interface design for a network security application (with Agave Design)
Ranchmart, Austin Texas
- Information Architecture, usability consulting, project management, and web production for a relaunch of the Ranchmart brand
- User Interface design for a custom in-house CRM system
UT Department of Continuing Legal Education, Austin Texas
- Information Architecture strategy and design for an educational e-commerce site
Defcom Webdressing GmbH Berlin, Germany
- Designed the information architecture and all user interactions for the NetPack Europe Packaging Store website, including a 4000 item product catalogue and content management system.
- Interaction Design for an in-house sales support and knowledge base application.
eye square GmbH Berlin, Germany
- Developed and conducted the English portion of an international usability and branding study for Ford Motors. Created test materials and plans, conducted about fifty hours of interviews, and analyzed data and wrote final test reports.
- Assisted in usability testing for additional clients including DeutscheBank24 and eBay.
- Led the redesign of a fully standards-compliant www.eye-square.de website, which includes both German and English versions. (A number of changes have been made to this site since launch.)
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Austin, Texas
- Wrote approximately 200 pages of user documentation for a enterprise-wide, internationalized content management system.
- Consulted closely with software developers, business strategists, and end users during this process.
British Petroleum (BP)
- Presented topics in user-centered design and web development to a team of high-level BP staff, and consulted on information design and web strategy with the BP Human Resources department.
SmartPrice.com
Information Architect/ User Interface Designer (January 2001 - May 2001)
- Developed and documented use cases and UML task flow diagrams for both customer-facing and internal applications
- Created flowcharts, schematic drawings, visual models, HTML prototypes and written documentation
- Acted as an advocate for user experience throughout design and development and advised on usability testing strategies and metrics
Cyberplex
Site Architect (July 2000 - January 2001)
- Information architecture for large corporate sites, including organizing content and site categories, naming schemes, and navigation to ensure an intuitive user experience
- Developed and documented use cases and task flow diagrams for complex interactions
- Contributed to web site look-and-feel by collaborating with Interface Design team on schematic page design mock-ups
Center for Instructional Technologies, UT Austin
Interactive Media Developer (August 1999 - June 2000)
- Developed and taught "Pixel Line Plane: Elements of Digital Craft," a semester course in computational design and visual thinking for undergraduate and graduate students at UT.
- Designed and programmed software applications for UT faculty and graduate students
- Researched and developed proof-of-concept applications and new teaching resources using interactive media development tools including Director, XML, Java, and Flash
Top Drawer Productions Austin, Texas
Interactive Media Developer/ Associate Producer (June 1998 - August 1999)
- Programmed sections of educational titles for CD-ROM and web release, which included advanced Macromedia Lingo techniques, object-oriented programming and behaviors, use of third-party Xtras, cross-platform coding, and hybrid CD-ROM creation
- Created and maintained the company's first web-based bug tracking database
- Other regular production duties included JavaScript/HTML coding, advanced Flash programming, audio/video editing, and technical document editing
American Association of Higher Education
Web Application Developer (contract) (January 1999 - June 1999)
- Interaction design and Cold Fusion programming of sections of multi-user online document exchange supporting academic faculty interaction
- Contributed to database design and application architecture
Center for Advanced Studies in the Arts, UT Austin
Interactive Media Developer (January 1998- August 1998)
- Designed and programmed educational multimedia CD-ROM
- Consulted with University faculty to create and maintain class websites
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY AND PUBLICATIONS
Founded and organize the Design Engaged conference, a unique small event for leaders in the experience design field.
"Programming for Information Architects", March 2003, Boxes and Arrows
EDUCATION
- M.A., Department of Art History, University of Texas at Austin, 1995 - 1996; coursework and thesis focused on design history
- Additional work towards the PhD., Department of Art History, University of Texas at Austin, 1997-1998
- B.A., Connecticut College, 1992
OTHER SKILLS
- Experienced in writing and speaking about design issues
- High-level proficiency with web, graphic, and media production software
- Strong understanding of web browser and platform issues
- Outstanding writing and editing abilities. Passable German