Hello.
Welcome to my portfolio.
I'm Vanessa, I have a broad skillset which includes IA, Visual Design, Front End Development, User Research, Accessibility, Leading, Coaching, and Management.
I specialize in web-based application and mobile app design of complex systems and have worked in a variety of industries including education, health care, manufacturing, legal, and financial services.
I invite you to explore my site to get a better understanding of my professional experience.
Showcase: Practical Law Dynamic Tool Set
Led the creation of Practical Law Dynamic Tool Set which won the Legal Tech Breakthrough: Legal Research Innovation of the year award in 2021. Involved from ideation through release and beyond.
“...Practical Law has its eye very much on the importance of delivering its content to users in the best way possible..."
- Joe Patrice
"The addition of the Dynamic Tool Set puts the utility of PL (Practical Law) on steroids."
- Jeffrey Allen
”...definitely a 'wow moment' from Practical Law with the Dynamic Tool set."
- Sterling Mille
To see more projects, or discuss further, please feel free to get in touch.
"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."
Maya Angelou
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
at a glance
Through many years of hard work and dedication, I’ve established a strong career in this industry. Each role has been a dynamic endeavor, providing me with an opportunity to develop both personally and professionally.
PRINCIPAL UX ENGINEER
August 2022 - Current
Responsible for global navigation for UHC, collaborating with various teams across all lines of business including E&I, M&R, C&S, IFP, and related branches. Leveraging user feedback and analytics to unify and drive improvements. Currently responsible for foundation systems including preferences and secure login (HealthSafe ID) across Optum and UHC.
SENIOR UX DESIGNER
December 2019 - August 2022
Led the creation of award winning Legal software “Practical Law Dynamic Toolset”. Responsible for reporting on Practical Law UX efforts, mentoring colleagues, collaborating with research and accessibility. Focused on new product definition, legacy updates, and enhancements. Involved in all levels from ideation to post release. Created designs that include detailing accessibility and responsive impacts.
CONTRACTOR- UX DESIGNER
March 2019 - December 2019
Collaborated, designed, and led UX product and process efforts. Allowing me to update my working knowledge of tools and systems while leading multiple product workstreams, helping to define processes and collaborative working sessions. The projects I'd been focused on are proprietary internal payment and authentication systems.
UX MANAGER
January 2018 - November 2018
Focused on establishing an accessibility team within the Thomson Reuters Legal UX department and getting accessibility integrated into the software development lifecycle.
UX LEAD
January 2016 - January 2018
Responsible for leading, coaching, and mentoring a cross-functional team spanning several research projects and internal tools for the Thomson Reuters - Legal. Both desktop and mobile applications.
SENIOR INFORMATION ARCHITECT
February 2013 - January 2016
Led multiple product development initiatives for both mobile and desktop applications in an agile environment.
SENIOR INTERACTION DESIGNER/ DEVELOPER
October 2012 - December 2012
Responsibilities focused on incremental updates to the Schoolwires marketing website as well as the development and creation of the 2013 site. Working within the existing CMS limitations.
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER/
PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
December 2008- October 2012
Drove the user interface component development for Windchill's web-based and mobile applications in an Agile environment. As a Product Owner, I define requirements, create stories, and manage development backlogs. As the UX Designer, I developed standards and prototypes, presented visions, created personas, conducted user evaluations and interviews, facilitated design reviews, and defended design decisions.
SENIOR PRODUCT DEFINITION ENGINEER
December 2004 - December 2008
Lead collaboration efforts with product management and development to obtain information on project limitations, capabilities, technologies, and performance requirements. Presented new design concepts to all levels of management and technical colleagues in the form of vision presentations and conceptual prototypes. Performed Heuristic Evaluations and Cognitive Walkthroughs of the Windchill application.
USER INTERFACE DESIGNER
December 2000 - December 2004
Created standards, functional specifications, and usability tests for the navigation, search, document management, and change management features of the Windchill web-based application.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/
WEB PRODUCTION ARTIST
June 1997 - December 2000
Developed graphics and layouts for marketing in both print and web mediums. Including illustrations, animations, company logos, trade shows, brochures, annual reports, intranet and internet graphics.
