Smart is in my name
User Advocate • Figma Fan • List-Maker • Web Dev Pupil
Playlist Curator • Amatuer Baker • Animal Enthusiast
Currently, I am working on optimizing the mobile User Experience for haltonpardee.com through iterative design and performance improvements. I am also constantly reading about UX design, web design trends, new tech and honing my craft with side projects.
2005
I bought a copy of Photoshop Elements. Ever since that first boot up, I’ve been hooked on design. Armed with that software, a Deviantart account, a cheap DSLR, and an internet connection, I learned how to digitally manipulate image files. Those self-taught skills led to some of my first jobs as a graphic designer.
2010
I enrolled in the BSc of Graphic Design Program at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division. I learned the principles and methodologies of design while simultaneously working full time as a graphic designer. Though I did not complete the program with a degree, the foundational knowledge I gained was instrumental, as was the real world experience.
2014
I was playing with web projects more than ever. I made a few landing pages using Adobe Muse (no longer supported), fascinated by the storytelling possiblities of states and scroll effects. I was on the in-house creative team at RealtyONEGroup, staying late working on the responsive redesign of their corporate website. That was my first experience designing high fidelity mockups for different breakpoints of a responsive web layout.
2016
I stepped into the role of Senior Designer at Halton Pardee + Partners. I currently work on a small in-house team for the boutique brokerage. The company does a great deal of volume in sales, ranking #1 Sales Team in Los Angeles and #2 in California in Real Trends/Wall Street Journal, yet the team is small which demands we be flexible. When I started, there was nobody dedicated to designing or monitoring any aspect of the website or internal digital tools, let alone the User Experience design of them. I took on that role conducting research, usability testing, and designing new features and tools. I regularly create high fidelity mockups of designs and document interaction flows while collaborating with the web development team (third party) to implement these projects and subsequent iterative improvements.
2018
I enrolled in the UX Design Certificate Program at University of California San Diego Extension. I said “Let’s make this official” to User Experience Design.
2019
In December 2019, I completed the UX Design program with a certificate. I started implementing skills I learned immediately with the kick off of a full website redesign project at Halton Pardee.
