Resumé

Abigail Larsen

Versatile graphic designer with 11 years professional web design and programming experience. Able to transform abstract ideas into resonant visual design. Accomplished at synthesizing branding, usability and information architecture requirements into digital interfaces. Has worked on a range of projects from boutique to corporate. Enjoys collaborating one-on-one with clients or as part of a team. Experience directing programmers, junior designers and contractors. Proven ability to meet deadlines and budgets. A record of steady promotion and increased responsibility. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

Skills

  • Hand-coding sophisticated, dynamic and cross-platform compatible CSS-based layouts which conform to current web standards and respect the separation of style, content and behavior.
  • Designing visually attractive and intuitive websites.
  • Designing and preparing digital files for print using InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and Quark.
  • Concepting and designing identity systems.
  • Sketching, storyboarding, lettering and illustration.
  • Writing technical and style guidelines for website maintenance and design consistency.
  • Creating animation and interactive motion graphics with Flash and ImageReady.
  • Editing sound and video using Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack.

    Experience

    Senior Web Developer     Gere Donovan Creative, Portland OR

    2005 – present

  • Developed, customized and/or “skinned” templates for Cold Fusion- and PHP- driven web applications, including: WordPress, Concrete, Perch, various e-commerce solutions, various email newsletter generators, help desk software, and forum software.
  • Prototyped the “front-end” of numerous websites by converting PSDs into semantic HTML and CSS.
  • Drew custom illustrations using various media for use in presentations and web designs.
  • Wrote instructional materials.

    Clients: Within the Wild Adventure Lodges, CIRI Alaska Tourism, Dana Stabenow, First National Bank Alaska, Iditarod Trail Committee, Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, Regent Education Software, RightNow Technologies, Miller Nash, Kolisch Hartwell, Resource Staffing Services, Raffetto Herman, Onvia, The Denali Commission, Tillamook Forest Center.

    Independent Graphic Designer / Web Developer

    2001 – 2005

  • Concepted and produced corporate identity items including logos and business cards.
  • Designed and developed (front-end) websites using the following languages and applications: CSS, HTML, Javascript, PHP, BBEdit, Photoshop, Illustrator, ImageReady.
  • Customized HTML and PHP-based templates for web-based collaboration systems and web log software.
  • Implemented and integrated front-end of major e-commerce website through collaboration with database programmers and designers.
  • Designed user interface and custom icons for browser-based Java application.
  • Sketched concepts and created hand-lettering for magazine and in-store sales campaign.
  • Transformed Photoshop designs into HTML-based email.

    Clients: Cinco Design, Ziba, ID Branding, ZCom, Multifresh, A Twist in Time Salon, Drake Beam Morin, Zag Creative, FutureWorks Consulting, 51 Greenwich, PNCA.

    Print Production Artist     ID Branding, Portland OR

    2003

  • Worked on in-store displays, white papers, brochures, booklets, corporate identity styleguides, cd labels, and other printed items according to established corporate guidelines using Quark, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat.
  • Adjusted complicated table layouts, finessed typographic detail, and color-corrected photos for a multi-page booklet using InDesign and Photoshop.
  • Ensured consistent design over a series of 80+ whitepapers using Quark.

    Clients: Microsoft, Kodak, Intel, Bend Visitor Bureau, Portland State University, Trimet.

    Art Director     ZCom, Portland OR

    2000 – 2001

  • Collaborated with branding specialists, information architects and user experience experts.
  • Incorporated recommendations and technical requirements into intuitive interface designs for the web and other digital platforms.
  • Attained an unusual proficiency in both creative design and technical development that optimized project implementation timelines.
  • Conceptualized graphic motifs through collaboration and independent research which faithfully delivered the client message.
  • Designed visually appealing, scalable websites that were simple to update and maintain.
  • Ensured design integrity on the production side through oversight of staff including programmers and junior designers, and on the client side by delivering printed style guidelines for future in-house website work.
  • Codified style guideline template for the use of designers and art directors, increasing efficiency of the final delivery process.
  • Coordinated with printing vendors to produce cost-effective signage and games for promotional events.

    Clients: Texas Instruments, Hasbro, Mattel, Freightliner, Intel, One More Mind, Data.OAG, City Stages, HMH, MKI.

    Web Designer     ZCom, Portland OR

    1998 – 1999

  • Designed small websites in FrontPage for clients to maintain.
  • Served as technical consultant to art directors and liaison between art directors and programmers.
  • Structured production process from website design to final programming.
  • Converted Photoshop UIs into optimized and efficient hand-coded HTML prototypes.
  • Defined site architecture including directory structure and naming conventions.
  • Drafted visual style guides that defined the layout and visual elements of each site.
  • Created graphic elements and new pages for websites with established style guidelines.
  • Designed and collaborated on interactive animated pieces using Flash.

    Clients: Freightliner, Intel, Flowerbud.com, Marylhurst University, One More Mind, HMH, MKI.

    HTML Programmer/Production Artist     ZCom, Portland OR

    1997

  • Hand coded web pages in BBEdit. Drafted HTML programming guidelines for contract programmers.
  • Created and optimized web graphics and animations with Photoshop and DeBabelizer.
  • Designed small websites.
  • Edited print pieces in Quark.

    Clients: Freightliner, Intel, MTV, Diamond Multimedia, Portland Advertising Federation.

    Design Director     Sand Mountain Design, Portland OR

    1996

  • Responsible for all phases of the web design process including initial client meetings and presentations, web design, HTML programming, simple CGI programming and server-side maintenance.

    Clients: Eyescream Interactive, Nike, ZCom, Portland Habitat for Humanity, Outpost.com, Pacific Rivers Council.

    Education

    Bachelor of Fine Arts, Communication Design.
    Pacific Northwest College of Art. Portland, OR.

    Bachelor of Arts, Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology.
    Bryn Mawr College. Bryn Mawr, PA.

    Selected URLS & Projects1

  • Iditarod.com website. Developer for Gere Donovan Creative.
  • FutureWorks logo, identity, website and blog design. Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Developer.
  • Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. website. Web Developer for ID Branding.
  • 51 Greenwich website. Web Designer, Developer.
  • Spring 2004 Nike Shox Campaign. Storyboard Artist, Letterer for Cinco Design.
  • WCAL website. Web Designer, Developer for Zag Creative.
  • Infotech Strategies website. Web Designer, Developer for Zag Creative.
  • FinishLine website. Front End Developer for Cinco Design.
  • One More Mind website. Art Director, Developer at ZCom.

    1 Please refer to my print and web design portfolios for more information about non-proprietary projects in this list.