Introduction education

1
Introduction

• Introduction education experience
• Approach design as the facilitator
• Early work online radio experiences boutique
  firm
• Art Technology Group designing dynamic web
  applications
• eBay designing for business goals while
  advocating for the user
• Motorola responsible for the user experience of
  Motorola.com

2
Introduction

• 6 years relevant work experience
• User researcher
• Interface/Interaction/Information Designer
• Interface implementation as well
• Both client work in-house software development

3
Introduction

• Education 1995-1999
• Institute of Design - BS Communication Design
• HP PhotoSmart ethnographic research - students
  families
• Undergraduate degree 25 credit hours of graduate
  level course work

4
Approach
I drive solutions that fulfill the users needs
and meet the projects business goals with the
most efficient use of technology.
5
Approach
I drive solutions that fulfill the users needs
and meet the projects business goals with the
most efficient use of technology. Classic
problem business goals drive an unusable
solution
6
Approach
I drive solutions that fulfill the users needs
and meet the projects business goals with the
most efficient use of technology.
However, if you only design for the user, the
business goals may suffer or the technology may
be overtaxed.
7
Approach
I drive solutions that fulfill the users needs
and meet the projects business goals with the
most efficient use of technology.
This is where we want to be.
Empathize with users. Work closely with
engineers. Understand the business goals.
8
Early work

• Radiowave.com 1999-2000
• Interface design user research
• Designed robust online radio experiences
• Researched online listening behavior
• Facilitated usability studies
• Clients included Blue Note Records, Clearchannel
  Communications, Smashing Pumpkins

9
Early work

• Streams 2000-2001
• Human Factors Specialist
• What they really meant was User Experience/Human
  Centered Designer
• Very creative, edgy, hip design firm with a
  purely visual focus
• I brought user centered methods, research, and
  information architecture
• Clients included Allstate.com, Practicity.com,
  InVida.com

10
Art Technology Group

• 2001-2003
• User Interface Designer Design Lead
• Web-based, dynamic content driven, application
  and portal design
• Transitioned to a traveling design consultant for
  ATG clients
• I brought user centered methods, research, and
  information architecture
• Clients included Target, Conseco Insurance,
  Deutche Post

11
Art Technology Group

• 2001-2003
• User Interface Designer Design Lead

12
eBay

• 2004-2005
• User Interface Designer, Payments Shipping Team
• Focus on shipping
• Projects
• EasyBuy- eBay.de project to create a new retail
  oriented format
• Unified Address book- Creation of a single
  management flow
• Password Visualization- Security conscious German
  project to educate users about password creation
• Shipping Strategy- Projects strategies to
  encourage, suggest and generally make it easier
  for sellers to ship their items more efficiently

13
eBay

• 2004-2005
• User Interface Designer

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eBay

• 2004-2005
• User Interface Designer
• Organizational responsibilities
• Lead UED team on projects. Main point of contact
  for the user experience
• Work with PM to ensure best solution is delivered
  to market

15
Motorola

• 2004-2005
• Senior Staff Designer, User Experience
• Organizational responsibilities
• Direct, manage, and approve the UX design
  projects for Motorola.com
• Work with Project Managers to conceive both short
  term initiatives as well as the long term vision
  of Motorola.com
• Advocate for user for the Motorola experience
  online

16
Summary

• Frank Gruger
• Background in user research and web based
  application design
• Designer who brings together the user, engineer,
  and business owner
• Questions?
• Thanks!
• gruger_at_gmail.com
• http//work.gruger.org