New tag line...

Designer. Architect. Maker. Lister of synonyms.

A while back I came up with the tag line of "Designer by trade. Quilter by nature." However, that lends to confusion. What does that really mean? This became quite apparent when actual quilters want to connect with me. Quilting is cool, don't get me wrong. It's an analogy.

I, like quilters, love putting things together that, on their own, do not necessarily seem to go together. Mostly, I'm talking about technologies. There's a quality of listening and understanding what needs there are, then meshing that with the what I know about various proven and not-so-proven technologies. The results of which are possible solutions to a given problem.

It's thrilling being in the midst of this process and extremely satisfying seeing the final outcome.

In truth, that's what a Designer is. Someone that expertly utilizes their tool-set to synthesize data to produce an experience.

Specifically for an Architect, this experience is at a multitude of levels. From the impact on the cityscape to how the occupants experience their individual environment. Even then, the scale gets smaller and smaller. From the look and feel of the space to the look and feel of the door handle to the conference room.

Designers of all kinds benefit from an iterative and prototype-laden workflow. As a Maker, I understand that. We make things so that we can test the theories. We make lots of mistakes - and we learn from them and adjust.

There you have it. I am a Designer, an Architect, and a Maker. In one sense, they are all the same yet embody distinct characteristics of the creative spirit.

New Look for the CV

Design Exercise...

Went through a hypothetical design problem recently. Wanted to put it out there...

Education/Training: Autodesk University 2004/2007

Autodesk University, Las Vegas, NV; November 2004 and November 2007

Autodesk® VIZ Render: Worth a Thousand Words (2004)

Paul Aubin and I co-taught a class on the rendering application VIZ Render that was shipped with Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004, 2005, and 2006. This was a basic version of Autodesk VIZ that could maintain links to the model from Architectural Desktop allowing for model updates without losing a lot of the work completed in the rendering application. It was a fairly full room and we received excellent reviews.

Rendering Using mental ray® in AutoCAD® Architecture (2007)

AutoCAD®-based applications had their old rendering technology replaced with mental ray®. This change was significant for most users. I was able to leverage what I understood about the application, what I had learned by working with the feature pre-release, and my training background to give an informative class on the new settings and what they all meant.

Resume

BUSINESS OBJECTIVE

To use my already demonstrated track record as a high energy, results-oriented, designer with diverse experiences to obtain a role with an industry-leading organization that is committed to growth and excellence. To be a key player in strategic initiatives where my crucial ability to observe varied technologies and combine them in a way that provides innovative solutions for existing ideas or to create new opportunities. My experiences in the fields of Software Design, Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, Operations, Project Management, Technology Management, and Education coupled with my leadership skills enable me to motivate and lead organizations through change to achieve higher levels of performance that are applicable throughout any industry.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Project Lead developing products and features allowing designers to focus on design

Utilization of a wide range of user research techniques is extremely important. I have participated in and facilitated brainstorming sessions, focus groups, onsite user interviews, and usability sessions for several projects ranging from corporate level initiatives to projects classified as small enhancements. I have collaborated on numerous presentations to both internal and external audiences. Presentations include customer validation trips with Product Management, interaction paradigms to designers within the feature team, and current designs to fellow designers. I am passionate about providing software solutions to customers that are easy to use and match their workflows.

Effective communicator with strong interpersonal, technical, and leadership skills

Communicating with the entire project team throughout the delivery cycle: Industry Solutions Managers, Product Managers, Development, Product Design, Visual Design, QA, Test Automation, Install, Content, User Assistance, Localization, Product Marketing, and of course, Customers. Keeping an eye on other projects and products within the division is also necessary: Features elsewhere in the same product need to be coordinated so that common interaction is upheld; Features in other products that could either be leveraged or impact schedule need to be monitored to provide the best tools and experience for the customer.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

February 2009 – Present
Product Designer: AEC BIM User Experience

Autodesk, Inc., Manchester, NH

Design lead for Revit-based projects that are focused on enhancing existing features, improving construction-based workflows, and supporting early energy analysis. The tools that these projects bring to our clients allow them to implement our cutting edge technology for their use which is essential to enhancing the bottom line for internal and external shareholders. In each of these projects it was essential to have constant interface with the customer in order to design a product that supports the generalized workflow. For example the construction-based project is vital to supporting the construction industry in their desire to improve efficiencies and quality control. I led a team of five to meet with the Architect, construction manager, exterior wall consultants and fabricators to analyze their workflow with respect to use of digital models to coordinate a highly customized construction project.

My experience facilitating research events are critical to the success of our products. These events utilize 1:1 observation, brainstorming sessions, roundtable workflow discussions, card sorts, and usability sessions. This significant research encompasses contributors from individual contributors to senior management to CEO of Multi-billion dollar companies. My strong communication and collaboration skills are key to successful interface with our diverse set of clients that include Architects, Engineers, and CAD Managers from multiple Architectural, Engineering and Construction firms around the world.

February 2004 – February 2009
Product Designer: AutoCAD Architecture
Autodesk, Inc., Manchester, NH

Responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage platform features. This required continuous communication with platform development and product design teams. Frequently worked with feature teams that are internationally dispersed with little to no communication issues. In-product examples are UI redesign, Annotation Scaling, 3D Navigation, Application Frame, Menu Browser, Workspaces, Layer Manager, AEC Dimensions, Multi-component Slabs, Roofs, and Wall Endcaps.

Research activities involved for one of the projects included facilitating nearly a dozen usability sessions that around the overhaul of the products’ UI. Responding to feedback from such research and making a workable solution is where I excel. For example, Wall Endcap enhancements I designed received high praise form the user community, and in a Quality & Satisfaction Survey 89% of those who used the new enhancements either rated it a 4 or 5 out of 5.

Design responsibilities also include writing specifications, creating new or modifying existing content, and leveraging various aspects of user centered design.

July 2002 – July 2004
Quality Assurance Analyst: AutoCAD Architecture
Autodesk, Inc., Manchester, NH

Created and executed test plans for the architectural software AutoCAD® Architecture. Communicated with Product Design and Development in order to identify the expected results of each interaction within the software environment for the features in which I was responsible. My interactive approach and attention to detail led to my promotion as Product Designer within Autodesk.

Responsible for writing and executing test plans for broadly used features such as VIZ Render, Grips, AEC Dimensions, and Drawing Management. Other features I was responsible for include, Mass Elements, Install, Style Manager, and the Roof object.

April 2000 – March 2005
Autodesk Certified Instructor: AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, VIZ
Florida Community College, Jacksonville, FL

Instructed and created curriculum that met the academic, intellectual, and social needs of the students using integrated technology to enhance educational activities.

September 2000 – May 2001
Instructor: AutoCAD
Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL

Instructed and creating curriculum that met the academic and intellectual needs of the students while actively engaging a diverse and varied audience.

May 1999 – April 2000
Architect: CADD Manager and Project Architecture
Cotner Associates, Inc., Fernandina Beach, FL

Responsible for projects ranging from high-end custom residential to resort retail buildings.

February 1998 – May 1999
Intern Architect: CADD Manager and Project Manager
PQH Architect, Inc., Jacksonville, FL

Scope of work included multi-family residential projects to a multi-story Emergency Operation Center.

September 1995 – September 1997
Intern Architect: Lead CAD Draftsman
Tate Hill Jacobs Architect, Inc., Lexington, KY

Lead CAD Draftsman and general duties including construction documents, color boards, and model building.

January 1991 – September 1995
Intern Architect
Brandstetter Carroll, Inc., Lexington, KY

General duties including construction documents, color boards, and model building.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; May 1995

Bachelor of Architecture (5-year First Professional Degree)

Atelier Veneziano, Venice, Italy; January 1994 – May 1995

Studied under Leonardo Ricci, Maria Dallerba-Ricci, Keith Plymale

Registered Architect,

State of Florida 2000 – AR0017182

Autodesk, Shanghai, China; June 2005 and September 2005

AutoCAD Architecture training for the development and QA staff.

Autodesk University, Las Vegas, NV; November 2004 and November 2007

Autodesk® VIZ Render: Worth a Thousand Words

Rendering Using mental ray® in AutoCAD® Architecture

BUSINESS TOOLS

AutoCAD^®

AutoCAD Architecture^®

Revit Architecture^®

Autodesk VIZ^®

Autodesk VIZ Render^®

Autodesk 3ds Max^®

Balsamiq Mockups

OneNote^®

Word^®

Excel^®

Powerpoint^®

Visio^®

Adobe Photoshop^®

TechSmith^® Snagit^®

TechSmith^® Camtasia Studio^®

TechSmith^® Morae Recorder^®

TechSmith^® Morae Observer^®

Bentley^® MicroStation

ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Co-author of two editions of Mastering VIZ Render

Published photographs in AIA New Hampshire 2006 and 2008

Member of Autodesk Emergency Response Team

Heartsaver^® First Aid certified 09/2008

MEDIC First Aid^® CPR & AED trained 01/2010

Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity

Participated in a local renovation for Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Organized events for Kids at Autodesk Day (KAAD)

Participated in the first organized Bike to Work Challenge – placed 3rd for mileage

Participated in New Hampshire Usability Professionals Association design event hosted at Autodesk

Participated in Bentley University’s Usability Bootcamp

Business travel in the US, England, Germany, Sweden, and China

Personal travel in the US, Canada, Bahamas, Jamaica, China, France, Italy, Germany,  Mexico, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands

References Available Upon Request