About Me

Over the years I’ve worked as a graphic designer and seen the beginnings of many new technologies. I remember trying to do word processing on the tiny Mac SE screen, building huge backgrounds for N64 games with only 16 colors and working with the most annoying systems ever created; CD-I. These are just a few of the highlights. Most of my career has been in technology start-ups. I’ve been in the trenches with tight deadlines and struggling with lack of tools only to see the project canceled. But it has been very exciting and I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’ve made a list of some of the lessons I’ve learned (or not learned in some cases).

• There is nothing more annoying then user interface is not intuitive and doesn’t feel right. It has to feel intuitive. This goes for microwaves to software. The worst is when you need to read the manual for something like a toaster.
• Artists are non-linear and tend to go from one idea to another all at the same time. That is normal. Engineers are linear and need to go from A, B to C. To work with engineers as an artist you need to be linear even though you might be thinking about Z but talking about A. Does that make any sense?
• Get the project up and running fast. Make sure everyone sees it early in the development cycle. Don’t wait until it is close to being done before it is shown. The deadline doesn’t move and you will be screwed if the project is not right.
• You can be efficient and work smart. You should always work that way in order to save your strength for real crunches.
• Technology overload is always there so learning to figure only what is needed to get the job done is essential. There is no way to know everything.
• Or be able to do everything is impossible. Being able to listen and not let your ego get in the way of the project. That can be a hard lesson.
• Do a lot of pre-planning. That helps keep focus on what you want. It can get lost at some point but if all the work has been done in the beginning you can go back to that again.
• My favorite tool is still a sketchpad. I can sit and ideas will flow with a pencil on paper. There is no tool that is better.
• Have a great life outside of work. Keep doing new things everyday! I am learning how to ride reining horse, which is scary and challenging.
• I still can’t spell.

Resume

Jenifer Bacon  

  
Visual Designer & Art Direction

Talented designer with an impressive portfolio and record of driving business for diverse industries   •  Dedicated user interface designer with a career history of achieving powerful and user-centered design (UCD) •  Highly skilled in developing impactful web sites, portals, screen designs, and navigational methods.   •  Expert in developing high-impact web sites, marketing materials, brand identities, and print designs.  •  Track record of meeting demanding deadlines, communicating effectively with cross-functional teams and leading by example  •  Dedicated to finding the most cost-effective, elegant, simple, and creative solutions for all challenges. •  Known for taking a hands-on approach in directing artists, collaborating with clients, and bringing creative concepts to life. Skills include:

Online Development: User Experience (UX) Enhancement; Information Architecture; E-Commerce Applications; Web Site & Interactive Design; Navigational Structures; Usability Standards & Testing; User Interaction (UI) Improvement; Content Management Systems; Visual User Interface Design; Front-End Development; Web & Email Graphics; Banners & Icons; File Management; Wireframe Creation

Technical Skills: Wordpress, Squarespace, Adobe Creative Suite (CS4): Illustrator; Photoshop; InDesign; Flash; Fireworks; Premiere; After Effects; Dreamweaver; 3D Studio Max. Languages: HTML; CSS; XML; ActionScript 2.0/3.0. Web 2.0. Platforms: Windows & Mac
Artistic Leadership: Interactive Art Direction; Graphic Design; Typography; Layouts & Compositions; Font & Color Management; Multimedia Development; Project Management; Creative Direction; Print Media; Marketing Communications; Collateral Materials; Identity Development; Logo Design; Client Service; Best Practices

Career Success
Tumbleweed Studios, Santa Fe, NM    www.tumbleweedstudios.com  
Interactive Designer / Flash designer / Owner | 2009 to Present: Design high-impact web sites, marketing e-blasts, e-mail graphics, logos, and icons. Work with WineTasting.org, Botanic Organic, Fat Spaniel Technologies (now Power One) to build marketing and educational Flash-based views. Clients: Power One, EcoRender, Price Rubin & Partners,  Kla Training

Fat Spaniel Technologies, San Jose, CA    www.fatspaniel.com
Interactive Designer / Flash Designer | 2004 to 2009: Significantly improved presentations by developing Flash-based, educational animation. Provided expert UI design, built design specs, and produced graphics for HTML pages. Set a new standard for the industry and distinguished the brand with a captivating visual style.
Notable Clients: Wal-Mart, Warner Bros. Studios, Santa Clara Valley Water, Bonneyville Environmental Foundation, Queens Botanical Garden, Applied Materials
Designed an interactive media presentation that successfully highlighted Wal-Mart’s innovative green store technologies; produced detailed animations and graphics that convey complicated technologies, while leading the largest billable project for the company
Developed intricate animations that clearly demonstrated products for Nature's Lighting and Nextek Power Systems


Generated powerful graphics for an online animated display that provided real-time data, environmental benefits, and an educational tutorial for solar energy sites.
Created an educational web-based installation for Wal-Mart. Wrote content, developed graphics, and researched green roof technology.

SurfMonkey Inc., Campbell, CA
Art Director 2000 to 2002: Led key projects and created user-centered interface designs for a company that provided parental controls for the Internet. Proficiently utilized Flash to produce dynamic icons, UIs, database navigation systems, and the company’s home page. Ensured the superior development of Flash videos and print marketing materials such as brochures, business cards, and posters. Supervised in-house design team. Selected, contracted, and directed outside vendors. Seamlessly managed multiple projects simultaneously.
Totally redesigned the kids’ and corporate sites; developed a unique browser, messenger system, and portal built especially for children. Designed parental controls, login page, registration form, and UI.
Determined the best flow of information and built all art for the safety service and registration wizard.
Established and implemented brand style guidelines.

Pacific Coast Power & Light Company, THQ Inc. Santa Clara, CA
Art Director 1998 to 1999: Led high performing design teams of up to 14. Art directed projects. As lead artist created design documentation and project scheduling. Met tight deadlines. Designed and produced user interfaces. Texture mapped objects using 3D Studio Max.

3DO Company Inc., Redwood City, CA
Senior Graphic Artist 1996 to 1998: Created textures used for real-time 3D games such as Might and Magic 6, Meridian 59, and High Heat Baseball Meridian 59. Established and monitored production art schedules.

GTE Entertainment, Carlsbad, CA  
Senior Graphic Artist / 3D Artist 1992 to 1996: Managed video sprite processing and set up production pathways/tools. Interviewed, evaluated, hired, and managed upwards of 10 artists for each project. Generated compelling printed marketing collateral. Rendered and produced a detailed 3D demo, and developed production path for creating pre-rendered sprites. Produced educational multimedia graphics such as buttons, interfaces, and animated segments. Created stunning Alias graphics and background art.

Education & Training
Bachelors Degree - Art Studio | University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Motion Picture Production | Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, CA
Flash2 | University of California, Santa Cruz Extension
Lynda.com Training