Product and Visual Designer
Click for Printable PDF Resume
Summary
After years of work in automotive, mobile and computer technology, construction, retail and education sectors; I’ve gained empathy for what it takes to make useful feasible products. Using Agile methodologies and design-thinking; I align with people and discover their needs. I aim to create a11y accessible friendly products.
www.UxKris.com
linkedin.com/in/kcandy
Skills
Adobe CS (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), graphic, industrial, product and exhibit design, materials and processes, WordPress, HTML5, CSS3, A11y accessibility, Agile principles, Kanban boards, design thinking, card sorting, personas, wireframes, high- and low- fidelity prototypes, surveys, empathy maps, task and user flows, and content strategy
Professional Experience
Design Consultant
A2Agile Inc. — Ann Arbor MI
Sept. 2019 – Present
- Provide UX interview and observational research for “Scrum 2-Day/PSM I Certification Training” and “Building a Better Backlog – Agile Product Owner Training”
- Supply product owners with task flow and design improvements on existing training materials
- Design graphics and presentation icons using Adobe CS and Google Slides
Technology Evaluation Liaison (contract)
Feonix – Mobility Rising — Lincoln NE / Ann Arbor MI
Oct. 2018 – April 2019
- Facilitate disability awareness training simulations and exercises with the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
- Field test Feonix-Connect beta app and report experiences, bugs, and opportunities
Product Design Consultant
Rumi’s Passion Bakery — Plymouth MI
Oct. 2018 – July 2019
- Generated content strategy, design, user flow, copy, image manipulation, and hosting of www.rumispassion.com using Adobe CS and WordPress.com
- Defined scope, style guide, and personas after conducting a competitor analysis
- Produced new pricing menu, FAQ and directions pages, resulting in increased brand awareness and a 20% boost in sales within six months
Exhibit Technician I/II
Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum — Ann Arbor MI
Jan. 2015 – April 2018
- Designed new graphics and restored exhibits; mentored museum studies and graphic design interns
- Worked with the exhibit team and external vendors to manufacture part drawings, produce printed graphics, and build and install graphic labels and exhibits
- Organized Kanban boards to establish accountability and optimal work flow within the design team
Specialist
Apple Inc. — Novi MI
Oct. 2009 – Nov. 2014
- Assisted in sales, operations, and consumer training for over 1,500 daily consumers while maintaining high NPS ratings within a 100+ person team
- Contributed to a new blank-slate store opening working with 50+ national and international teammates within a 24-hour period while sustaining rigid logistics towards Apple’s brand consistency
Adjunct Graphic Design Professor
Adrian College — Adrian MI
Aug. 2011 – April 2013
- Designed curriculum for Web Design, Digital Imaging, and Graphic Design I and IIDeveloped a series of web blogs to engage and inform design students and provide weekly material in and beyond the classroom setting
Graphic Designer
Eastern Michigan University (Campus Life Department) — Ypsilanti MI
June 2006 – May 2009
- Created Campus Life Department and new student orientation print and web collateral (posters, flyers, brochures, books, and tri-folds) using Adobe CS Suite
- Worked with surrounding departments and team to ensure accurate copy and brand identity with a focus on inclusivity, underrepresentation, and diversity
Certifications & Community Involvement
- Certified Menlo’s High-Tech Anthropology ® UX 3-day training course – 24 PDUs
- Scrum 2-Day/PSM I Certification Training – 16 PDUs
- Beginning and Intermediate HTML5 and CSS3 – certified Ed2Go online courses
- Conference volunteer: Agile and Beyond, Digital Summit Series, AIGA Design Decipher, Maker Works, and Intermitten 2018/2019
- Writer: Medium.com
- Design mentor on Meetaway.com (video chat)
- Active community involvement posting on LinkedIn and Twitter
- Attendee of Ladies that UX, Michigan UXPA, Detroit Women in Tech and Meetups associated with A11y accessibility/inclusiveness
Education
MFA, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI — Graphic Design (Magna Cum Laude)
BFA, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI — Industrial Design (Cum Laude)
My free time is spent:
- Running (usually 5k length runs)
- Doing crafting and woodwork
- Playing with Lego kits (I’m more of an Emmet than a Wylde Style)
- Partaking in heavy amounts of interior design, landscaping and home improvement projects from electrical to gutted plumbing.
- Learning about stuff I don’t know much about (reading lots of business, economics, and personal development books)
- Going to Meetups about design, UX, hacking, and technology
