William J. Larsen
Los Angeles, California, United States
Over 10 years of experience in web & visual design. Broad UX and UI experience with an online architect’s ability to unify brand, design, and user goals across diverse interactive formats. Very high proficiency in Adobe CS5 suite. Proven knowledge and proficiency in development languages and processes; specifically HTML, CSS, PHP and JS.
Experience
Los Angeles, California, United States
Jan 2008 – Present
Arc Design + Media
Freelance UX, Web & Graphic Designer
Engaged with several mid-sized businesses to create branding initiatives across print and digital medias. Incorporate UX factors in creating all types of creative assets.
‣ Design customer-centric web interfaces that meet client's business objectives
‣ Create branding initiatives that span from identity systems to web and POP
‣ User testing prototypes. Data analysis and persona development.
‣ Design customer-centric web interfaces that meet client's business objectives
‣ Create branding initiatives that span from identity systems to web and POP
‣ User testing prototypes. Data analysis and persona development.
Long Beach, California, United States
Jan 2010 – Present
Professor of Interactive Media Design
Duties include developing lectures in UX and UI design (wireframing, persona development, etc.) as well as instructing on emerging web techniques as they relate to user experiences.
‣ Present lectures on UX, IA, UI and HCI topics for web and app development
‣ Instruct on advanced topics in HTML5, CSS3 and JS development
‣ Introduce paths of linear thinking for task flows, hand coding & rapid prototyping
‣ Consult on industry trends towards mobile and tablet based computing
‣ Project management: define scopes, durations, WBSs and project network graphs
‣ Present lectures on UX, IA, UI and HCI topics for web and app development
‣ Instruct on advanced topics in HTML5, CSS3 and JS development
‣ Introduce paths of linear thinking for task flows, hand coding & rapid prototyping
‣ Consult on industry trends towards mobile and tablet based computing
‣ Project management: define scopes, durations, WBSs and project network graphs
Fullerton, California, United States
2006 – 2011
Professor of Graphic Design
Taught on a wide range of design related topics (e.g. typography for the web, digital storyboarding, interactive PDF). Several years of reoccurring contracts to instruct undergraduates.
‣ Present on user-centered topics: usability, affordance, accessibility & mental models
‣ Instruct on typography for the web, color theory, principles of 2D design
‣ Lead discussion on problem-identification and solutions based brainstorming
‣ Present on user-centered topics: usability, affordance, accessibility & mental models
‣ Instruct on typography for the web, color theory, principles of 2D design
‣ Lead discussion on problem-identification and solutions based brainstorming
Gardena, California, United States
Feb 1998 – Feb 2006
Creative Director
Initially hired as an in-house designer and later promoted to Creative Director. Lifted company's brand into a greater industry awareness through design initiatives.
‣ Lifted company's brand into a greater industry awareness through design initiatives
‣ Produced e-commerce site for online product purchases
‣ Design, fabricate and install exhibits for temporary and traveling trade shows
‣ Incorporate human-factors and cognitive evaluation findings into design solutions
‣ Lifted company's brand into a greater industry awareness through design initiatives
‣ Produced e-commerce site for online product purchases
‣ Design, fabricate and install exhibits for temporary and traveling trade shows
‣ Incorporate human-factors and cognitive evaluation findings into design solutions
Gardena, California, United States
1996 – 1997
Prepress Production Designer
‣ Prepare electronic art files for press
‣ Reproduce existing digital art for prepress ready purposes
‣ Ensuring all graphic elements are consistent across related files and packaging
‣ Reproduce existing digital art for prepress ready purposes
‣ Ensuring all graphic elements are consistent across related files and packaging
Redondo Beach, California, United States
1994 – 1996
City of Redondo Beach
Graphic Designer
Originally hired as an Assistant Pressman but quickly promoted to city Graphic Designer.
‣ Design and develop city-wide campaign initiatives for Police & Fire departments
‣ Create original vector artwork for city brochures, posters and signs
‣ Design and develop city-wide campaign initiatives for Police & Fire departments
‣ Create original vector artwork for city brochures, posters and signs
Education
Long Beach, California, United States
2008 – 2012
California State University, Long Beach
MFA Visual Communication Design
Fullerton, California, United States
1998 – 2004
California State University, Fullerton
BFA Visual Communication Design
Skills & Talents
DESIGN
A strong eye for design with an in-depth knowledge of concept development, layout composition, grid structures, color theory, typography, sketching/drawing & illustration • A keen understanding of UX (user experience, UI (user interface) and HCI (human computer interaction) for immersive interactive designs • Able to designs and produce content for a wide range of material such as books, magazines, newspapers, electronic media and packaging • Expert knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, PowerPoint/Keynote, FinalCut and various other design/multimedia software • Passionate about all things design.
TECHNOLOGY
Expert knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, Javascript (jQuery), PHP, etc. • Foundational knowledge of "app" design & development processes • A rich interest in "new media" technologies (e.g. mobile browsing, podcasting and online streaming video—live and on-demand) • In depth knowledge of social networking (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, FourSquare, blogging/micro-blogging) • Thoughtful insight to emerging technologies and related platforms (e.g. iPhone/Android, tablet based computing, geolocation) • Can easily follow technical discussions and engage in product development as they relate to user interfaces.
MARKETING
Understanding of marketing and campaign strategies for businesses as they relate to advertising design • Able to create the bridge between the strategy and its implementation • Able to develop designs that are "on-strategy" and reflect a brand’s personality and/or company culture.
LEADERSHIP / PROFESSIONALISM
Can lead teams or work independently as is necessary • Can lead and facilitate creative brainstorming, campaign and creative brief development and then oversee its creative execution • Understanding of the importance of adhering to client budgets and time constraints • Used to working in the fast-paced, deadline driven environment of design • Extensive organizational skills (e.g. handle multiple, overlapping projects and priorities, create and manage archiving systems for art and digital materials and files) • Strong work ethic that is willing to do what it takes to get the job done
A strong eye for design with an in-depth knowledge of concept development, layout composition, grid structures, color theory, typography, sketching/drawing & illustration • A keen understanding of UX (user experience, UI (user interface) and HCI (human computer interaction) for immersive interactive designs • Able to designs and produce content for a wide range of material such as books, magazines, newspapers, electronic media and packaging • Expert knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, PowerPoint/Keynote, FinalCut and various other design/multimedia software • Passionate about all things design.
TECHNOLOGY
Expert knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, Javascript (jQuery), PHP, etc. • Foundational knowledge of "app" design & development processes • A rich interest in "new media" technologies (e.g. mobile browsing, podcasting and online streaming video—live and on-demand) • In depth knowledge of social networking (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, FourSquare, blogging/micro-blogging) • Thoughtful insight to emerging technologies and related platforms (e.g. iPhone/Android, tablet based computing, geolocation) • Can easily follow technical discussions and engage in product development as they relate to user interfaces.
MARKETING
Understanding of marketing and campaign strategies for businesses as they relate to advertising design • Able to create the bridge between the strategy and its implementation • Able to develop designs that are "on-strategy" and reflect a brand’s personality and/or company culture.
LEADERSHIP / PROFESSIONALISM
Can lead teams or work independently as is necessary • Can lead and facilitate creative brainstorming, campaign and creative brief development and then oversee its creative execution • Understanding of the importance of adhering to client budgets and time constraints • Used to working in the fast-paced, deadline driven environment of design • Extensive organizational skills (e.g. handle multiple, overlapping projects and priorities, create and manage archiving systems for art and digital materials and files) • Strong work ethic that is willing to do what it takes to get the job done
Contact Info
Mobile: (714) 726-6536
Email: williamjlarsen@gmail.com
Twitter: @wjlarsen
All works © William Larsen 2011.
Mobile: (714) 726-6536
Email: williamjlarsen@gmail.com
Twitter: @wjlarsen
All works © William Larsen 2011.