MARIE THACKER | marie@mariethacker.com | www.mariethacker.com

WEB, UX & INTERACTION DESIGNER / ART DIRECTOR
I am a self-motivated design professional seeking to leverage over 10 years of experience in the creation of full-featured, interactive websites.

• Proven track record of successfully translating client’s vision and goals into a powerful and attractive design, incorporating brand concepts while creating effective user-centric features.
• Unique combination of expertise in Web design, UI strategy, and development, which contributes to a thorough understanding of all phases of the project lifecycle.
• Able to successfully resolve design and UI challenges, and execute effective resolutions.
• Successfully manage a team of designers to ensure proper workflow and meet strict deadlines.
• Collaborated on projects with numerous clients including ACLU, Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, The Boeing Company, Classmates.com, The Cobalt Group, Humane Society of the United States and PopCap Games.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Website design & development • Art direction • UI design & direction • Interactive wireframe creation • Prototype design & web dev • User experience strategy and planning

• Web analytics translation & strategy • Client relationship management • Project management • Coaching & team building • Troubleshooting & problem resolution • Browser & platform compatibility issues

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Platforms: Mac, Windows, UNIX
Tools: Adobe CS2 & CS3 (Photoshop, ImageReady, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver), BBedit, CVS
Languages: HTML, DHTML, XHTML, CSS, AJAX, JavaScript, Actionscript

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Web Design Professional, MarieThacker.com | Seattle, WA | 1996 to Present
Serve as contract designer and art director to businesses nationwide.
Ascertain client needs and vision, offering counsel on effective online solutions.

• Provide design and marketing expertise to businesses small and large, in a variety of different industries.
• Responsible for defining the creative direction of business's online presence.
• Take the majority of projects from start to finish, which includes: concepts, design, production, programming, testing, launch, and ongoing maintenance.
• Successfully collaborated with in-house design teams on a wide variety of projects for clients including Amazon.com, Alaska Airlines, The Cobalt Group, iPads.com, IMPREV, Keeler Kommunikations, Paronym Software, and many more.

Web Art Director, POPCAP GAMES | Seattle, WA | 06/2006 to 10/2007
PopCap Games is a leading casual game developer, releasing best selling titles such as Bejeweled, Zuma, Bookworm and Chuzzle.
Established and managed the creative vision, user experience, and UI for PopCap.com. Responsibilities include providing art direction on all projects, strategic planning, creating innovative solutions for design challenges, managing the design team, and interfacing with other departments.

• Key stakeholder involved in strategic decisions affecting PopCap.com
• Established an in-house team of designers and front-end developers.
• Upon hire, lead a successful total site redesign, which greatly improved the usability and contributed to an increase in conversions.
• Manage an ongoing effort to optimize site performance that will lead to increased conversion.
• Manage a wide variety of projects including site optimization, website features, HTML newsletter, marketing campaigns, new game releases, and customer support projects.
• Implemented customer feedback tool, and constantly analyze data for best optimization and performance.
• Requires familiarity with Web Metrics data using Omniture, as well as knowledge of HCI and UI standards.
• Responsible for team planning, budget, hiring, management, contractor management, resource allocation, scheduling, and mentoring.

Director of Creative and User Experience, CarDomain Network | Seattle, WA | 03/2006 to 06/2006
CarDomain Network is the web's largest community of car enthusiasts, also providing one-stop shopping for car audio and performance parts.
Managed and lead the creative look and feel and user experience for the company's online community and retail store. Also managed and art directed offline marketing print collateral. Responsibilities included interfacing with multiple departments to accurately translate project goals to designers, writing design briefs, providing design direction to designers, and leading the creative vision for the company.

• Requires a thorough understanding of the creative design process, UI (user interface) design, branding strategy and cross-departmental project management.
• Managed a team of 7 designers, providing mentorship and team building.
• Implemented a new project process and team strategy to increase efficiency and better allocation of resources.
• Spearheaded the company's re-branding initiative.

Design Director, Donordigital | San Francisco, CA (based in Seattle) | 04/2004 to 03/2006
Donordigital provides online marketing and fundraising solutions for non-profits, advocacy and candidates.
Managed the design and development for all projects supporting offices in San Francisco and Washington D.C. Responsibilities included art direction, creating visually compelling designs, and managing a team of designers and production staff. Projects included online marketing campaigns, interactive media projects, and website designs for clients such as ACLU, AARP, Amnesty International, Girl Scouts of America, The Human Rights Campaign, Humane Society of the United States and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

• Required a thorough understanding of all aspects of web design, programming, and Flash, as well as online marketing strategies, management of employees and project management.
• Upon hire, implemented a company wide project management process and online management tool that increased efficiency and scheduling of project lifecycle.
• Introduced an increased quality standard for designs and maintain quality consistency.
• Successfully managed a team of designers, developers, and production staff.

Senior Web Designer, Classmates.com | Renton, WA | 08/2002 to 04/2004
Classmates.com is a service-oriented Website with over 200 employees.
Served as lead designer and art director for a team of designers. Was responsible for creating fresh concepts and designs for major projects. Interfaced daily with marketing, copywriters and developers to create visually engaging interfaces for new and existing products. Provide art direction to junior designers to improve their design skills.

• Key member involved in a major re-branding, which included development of a style guide, branding guidelines and supporting the brand across all media.
• Lead designer for corporate website redesign initiative, and redesign of email products.
• Helped implement and maintain corporate design philosophy and standards by providing art direction and mentoring of creative team members.

Design Director, Ash White Multimedia LLC | Seattle, WA | 1999 to 2002
Oversaw start-up of a creative agency specializing in Internet marketing strategies and Website design.
Served as design & technical Lead for all projects, providing full design and development to businesses globally. Managed creative and technical issues including concept, brand management, design, and programming. Handled administrative and accounting functions, including A/P, A/R, payroll, and account reconciliation.

• Received recognition from Macromedia for design and development of Flash site, ashwhite.com. Awarded "Site of the Day" listed on macromedia.com.

Senior Web Designer, The Cobalt Group | Seattle, WA | 1998 to 2001
The Cobalt Group assists automotive dealers and manufacturers by providing innovative e-business technology.
Created website designs and interactive Flash movies for custom projects. Oversaw projects from conception to completion, serving as liaison between Sales, Marketing, Development, and Creative teams.

• Coached new employees on Website design/development and software use.
• Served as Lead Designer and key contributor to launch of the Flash template library, which greatly improved operational efficiency and design offerings.

AFFILIATIONS: AIGA member, SIG GRAPH member, SIG CHI member

EDUCATION
BA General Art, Design and Painting Emphasis, 1996
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington