Amanda E. Willis
user experience designer

Resume

Resume

I'm comfortable working in a conceptual space, telling stories (brand and personal), and simplifying complex messages. I have a vast experience of working in business to business, business to consumer, and business to business to consumer situations. I also bring a quick wit and a smile to any situation.

My expertise:

  • UX/UI and graphic design
  • Research
  • Storytelling
  • Problem solving
  • Brand management
  • Testing
  • Mentoring

    Communications Associate (2014-2016)
    Minnesota UMC, Minneapolis, MN

    • Established user personas, style guide, site map, and wire frames for major website redesign
    • Developed website content and managed updates
    • Developed visual branding for programs and processes

    Web designer (2013)
    Space2Burn New Media, Minneapolis, MN

    • Created mood boards, wireframes, and design of websites and digital assets
    • Collaborated with colleagues to design best-in-class user experiences
    • Analyzed, understood, and executed business requirements

    Manager, Creative design (2010-2013)
    CPP North America, St. Louis Park, MN

    • Defined user experience, participated in product concepting, and designed website and mobile application for a direct to consumer product
    • Implemented brand storytelling through the design/writing of print and digital assets
    • Participated in behind the glass usability testing with outside vendor

    Graphic artist/Front page designer (2006-2009)
    St. Paul Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN

    • Planned and designed creative based on daily news and long term in depth projects
    • Simplified complicated narratives into easy to digest pieces of information
    • Redesigned newspaper architecture to give the paper a more modern and cohesive look/feel
    • Directed projects in collaboration with reporters, photographers, and other staff

    Deputy Presentation Editor for News (2002-2006)
    East Valley Tribune, Mesa, AZ

    • Planned and designed creative based on daily news and long term in depth projects
    • Marketed stories within the newspaper by designing promotional advertisements, website banners, and teases
    • Mentored and guided staff into becoming stronger design thinkers

    Education and certifications

    • Career Foundry User Experience Design boot camp
    • Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Web Design certificate
    • Graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia, Bachelor of Journalism

    Technical knowledge

    Adobe Creative Cloud, HTML, CSS, MS Office Suite, Email clients, CMS

    UX tools: paper, pen, UXPin, InVision, Axure, Illustrator, Photoshop