Hello and welcome to my personal website and visual playground to showcase some of the work that I have created in digital media. I'm a designer doing mainly web and interface design but enjoying graphic design and illustration work as well.
Whether cooking up attractive, user-centered web layouts, or turning designs into lean & clean HTML+CSS, my method is the same: create elegant solutions that deliver rewarding experiences.
Please note that this site is best viewed using Firefox 4 or Safari 5.
I am currently working my fifth year as the lead web designer for the News & Observer where my main focus is on web design and site architecture from concept to completion.
Other responsibilities include online and email advertising creation, designing iPhone and Android application graphics, and supporting regional newspapers, including the Charlotte Observer and Rock Hill Herald.
The redesign of the N&O site is the largest project to date that I've worked on. Based on several months of meetings with a cross-departmental committee, I designed the site from the ground-up. The process included creating and receiving approval on wireframes, color pallete and fonts as well as making changes to reflect user testing results.
balsalmiq mockups, photoshop, illustrator
The advertising department at the N&O requested a custom designed site that would hold a massive amount of information in a easy to find interface. The most difficult part of the project was developing a navigational system that would allow for this.
After developing a wireframe to show the content flow, I designed the site in photoshop, then built it in html and css on a custom content management system.
photoshop, html, css, cms
NIE is a cooperative effort of the N&O working with local schools to encourage the use of the newspaper as a tool for instruction and to promote literacy. I redesigned the site, focusing on an interface that would be simple for teachers looking for materials to use in the classroom.
This site was also built on a custom content management system so as to allow the circulation staff the ability to maintain it.
photoshop, illustrator, html, css, cms
The NC Insider is a state governement news service operated by the News & Observer. The previous site was outdated and built on an expired cms, thus the need for a change. I designed a clean, professional look for the site and then built it in the new cms.
I also created templates for daily email updates and newsletters that would pull from the content in the cms, eliminating the need to enter it multiple times.
photoshop, html, css, cms
The News & Observer needed a simple site for it's community project - Feed the Need. The site provides information about the event and the opportunity to sign-up to participate.
The marketing department provided the logo and I designed the site around it, striving to keep a very simple interface. The site is built upon a custom content management system so as to allow staff in various departments to update it easily.
photoshop, html, css, cms
This photography blog was designed and built as part of a barter agreement with a friend. I gave her a web presence, and in turn, she gave my daughter a free photoshoot.
The company already had a logo and basic color scheme, so I mainly worked on securing a domain name, setting the site up with a wordpress installation, and customizing a theme.
photoshop, html, css, wordpress
This local mom site was designed and developed in about 3 months from the ground-up by myself and a coworker. I played a cruicial role in determining what content the site should offer and how best to present that to the user.
Serving as the only designer on the project, I was responsible for all things graphically related, including the logo, navigation and layout. I also built the majority of the HTML and CSS, and then worked with a programmer to build the site in Drupal.
photoshop, illustrator, html, css, drupal
The week before our daughter was born, I beared down and created a blog site to keep friends and family abreast of our small family's happenings. A quick but fun project with the chance to play around in Illustrator and customize a Wordpress theme.
The site actually has a decent following, although I'm sure the majority are tech-savy grandparents!
photoshop, illustrator, html, css, wordpress
PHOTOSHOP + ILLUSTRATOR + HTML5 + CSS3 + WORDPRESS
Originally from Van Buren, Arkansas. Love bargain shopping & couponing. Enjoy a good book and cruising, preferably simultaneously. Currently live in Cary with my husband and two-year-old daughter, who is the most adorable child ever. And I'm not biased at all.
CARY, NC
April 2006 - present
In this role I am responsible for organizing, designing and implementing websites and interactive projects.
I also work with the advertising team to create online ads and email newsletters and blasts.
July 2004 - April 2006
My main duties consisted of designing print materials to support the company's marketing efforts. However, the position grew to include web maintenance and online graphic creation.
The majority of these projects required working with print vendors to select materials that would create the most effective publication.
May 2004 - present
In my spare time, I love creating one-of-a-kind announcements, invitations and cards for my family and friends. It is extremely rewarding to know that my designs helped someone celebrate a fun occasion. Every now and then I even get the opportunity to design a wedding website - the ultimate wedding gift!
I am happy to share more of these designs, either in digital or print format, just let me know you're interested.