Brian Snead
digital presence

Resume

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2011 - current

Experience Architect
IQ Agency

• At the agency thus far I have split my time between long-range strategic thinking and relatively short-term solution-driven work for multiple Fortune 500 companies. The former has included developing strategic directions based on deep dive content audits of massive intranet portals and internet sites, aligning architecture with new marketing campaigns, and rearchitecting large sites in discreet units. The latter has included the development of accessible multimedia and eMag experiences, a tidy process flow for a user-generated holiday card, and the discovery process (requirements/stakeholder interviews/participatory design) for a large internal knowledge base. Most of my deliverables are in the forms of wireframes and Keynotes.

 

2009 - 2011

Information Architect, lead
Professional Services Group, IS&T, Georgia State University

• Developed IA and functionality expressed in the forms of site maps and wireframes for multiple applications and clients across the GSU community
• Developed and conducted usability tests to address enhanced search features of core site, main library site IA, logo navigation standards, iTunes U, and web portal (PAWS)
• Successfully integrated "Top Task Management" (McGovern) methodology and "Content Inventory" analysis (Halverson) into standard UX offerings of my department
• Developed concept and high fidelity prototype for CIO and upper management-level reporting application
• Regularly produced detailed and summary usage (Google Analytics, Webtrends) reports for content owners and stakeholders
• Produced technical documentation on a variety of technologies
• Spearheaded initiative to increase perceived value of UX by developing client materials, special presentations, and live usability demonstrations for stake holders
• Managed two student assistants per semester since Fall 2010

 

2008 - 2009

Usability & Content Management Specialist
Experience Design Group, IS&T, Georgia State University

• Created site maps and wireframes for clients, built administrative-level sites in RedDot/OpenText CMS, edited web content and mark-up, edited images for web use
• Recommended back- and front-end solutions to severe identity management problems following a formal usability test   
• Suggested modifications to Georgia State admissions site that resulted in a 40% increase in the usability of the interface following surveys and usability tests
• Developed surveys and tasks, interviewed users, collected data using Morae (usability software) and suggested solutions to university portal / intranet usability issues

 

2002 - 2005

Consultant
Savoy Label Group

• Restructured extensive phonographic materials archive, decreasing filing and retrieval time by 50%
• Created Excel version of entire active catalog to be submitted to webmaster, reducing cost to company
• Contributed knowledge and editorial advice to web and press release material
• Assisted in repertoire selection, executed mailings

Computer Skills

• Programming: HTML, CSS, Java Script; MySQL
• Software: Omnigraffle, Axure, Morae (usability software), RedDot/Open Text (content management software), Joomla, SnagIt; EditPlus, Dreamweaver; Acrobat, RoboHelp; Apple Logic Pro 9, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor 5.5; Photoshop, GIMP (image editing software); Microsoft Office Suite, iWork Office Suite
• Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7; Apple OS X Snow Leopard; Ubuntu

Education

2008

• M.A. Technical Communication and Rhetoric, Georgia State University

2006

• B.A. Literary Studies, Georgia State University

2005 - 2006

• Exchange Student, Universität Potsdam, Germany

2003

• B.A. Music, University of Georgia

Professional Conferences

• User Interface 15. Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel; Boston, MA. (November 2010)
• Educause Southeast Regional Conference. The Westin Peachtree Plaza; Atlanta, GA (June 2010)
• User Interface 14. Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel; Boston, MA. (November 2009)

Service and Consulting

• Webmaster: Society for Technical Communication, Atlanta (2008 – 2009)
• Webmaster and Monthly Columnist: Culoer Kulturgazette, Berlin, Germany (2007 – 2009)

Affiliation

• Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI) 2008 - present