What is usability? Usability is: "a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use. On the Web, usability is a necessary condition for survival. If a website is difficult to use, people leave. If the homepage fails to clearly state what a company offers and what users can do on the site, people leave. If users get lost on a website, they leave. If a website's information is hard to read or doesn't answer users' key questions, they leave. " - from Jacob Neilson's website.
My job is to make sure users don't leave a site, can find what they want, and come back time after time. Below are some samples of usability testing, planning, and reports I have done.
This is a competitive analysis that was completed as part of a class project. It was for the fictional bank "SouthMich" and compares two other similar banks, in order to determine the best functionality and content to include for the SouthMich website.
Download Competitive Analysis (pdf, 508k)
This is a usability testing report that was completed as part of a class project. It was for a redesign of the Washtenaw Community College Bailey Library website.
Download Usability Testing Report (pdf, 380k)
This is a card sort that was completed as part of a class project. It was for a redesign of the Glidden Paint Company website. The purpose of the card sort was to take navigation, and have users reorganize it in a way that makes sense to them.
Download Card Sort (pdf, 296k)
These are wireframes that were completed as part of a class project. It was for a redesign of the AIGA website. Wireframes are used to visually organize and place all elements of a page, before it is designed or built.
Client: The Four Seasons String Quartet
About this project: This was a site redesign that included a refresh of the look and feel, as well as a new FAQs section, and a new "listening" area where users can listen or download audio clips of the quartet. I developed the logo, all graphics and built the site.
Client: Certified Insurance Services
About this project: This was a new site for a new company. I developed the logo, all graphics and built the site.
Client: Sahale Strings
About this project: This was a site redesign that included a refresh of the look and feel, as well as a new section featuring additional information for parents of music students. I developed the logo, all graphics and built the site. Live Site >
Client: Food Network Ad Sales
About this project: This was a rotating banner ad for the homepage of the site that included teasers for the latest upcoming programs. I designed the ad and built it in flash.
Client: Food Network Ad Sales
About this project: This was a rotating banner ad for the homepage of the site that included teasers for the latest upcoming programs. I designed the ad and built it in flash.
Client: Fine Living Ad Sales
About this project: This was a rotating banner ad for the homepage of the site that included teasers for the latest upcoming programs. I designed the ad and built it in flash.
Design Style: HTMinimalism
About this project: This was an experimental web design class project creating a site for the fictional client "Narcissia.com". The focus of this design style is a clean layout, with a minimum amount of images.
Design Style: Hello Kitty
About this project: This was an experimental web design class project creating a website for the fictional client "Narcissia.com". The focus of this design style is to create a fantasy-like look & feel, as well as use iconic/cartoon-like imagery.
Design Style: Grid-Based Icon
About this project: Thi was an experimental web design class project re-designing the U.S. Snowboarding website. The focus of this design style is to use a grid as the foundation and implement interesting grid-based icons and "chart junk" throughout.
Design Style: Mondrian
About this project: This was an experimental web design class project redesigning the Napa Knobs website. The focus of this design style is to keep the layout very simple, and use large blocks of color.
Design Style: Paper bag
About this project: This was an experimental web design class project redesigning the Ocean Channel website. The focus of this design style is a relaxed, fun feel, with sketches, paper-like textures and a "print" feel.
About this project: This was a class project designing a website for the fictional computer game "Link-Ups".
Client: Curel®
Contributions: XHTML, CSS & ASP
About This Project: This was a site-redesign that included a refresh of the look and feel, and a new section featuring tips and advice from skincare experts. Live Site >
Client: John Frieda®
Contributions: XHTML, CSS, Javascript & ASP
About this project: This was a partial site redesign that included a refresh of the look and feel, as well as new sections featuring their latest products. Live Site >
Client: Pittsburgh Paints®
Contributions: XHTML & CSS; Production Art
About This Project: This was a site-redesign that included a refresh of the look and feel, and new sections containing how-to tips for the homeowner, and tips and ordering information for the professional. Live Site >
Client: Porter Paints®
Contributions: XHTML & CSS; Production Art
About This Project: This was a site-redesign that included a refresh of the look and feel, and new sections containing how-to tips for the homeowner, and tips and ordering information for the professional. Live Site >
Client: Be-Bratz.com
Contributions: XHTML, CSS, & Javascript; Production Art
About this project: Be-Bratz.com is a virtual world for owners of Bratz dolls to chat, play and interact with other users. Live Site >
Client: MyEpets.com
Contributions: XHTML, CSS, & Javascript; Production Art
About this project: MyEpets.com is a virtual world for owners of Rescue Pets to chat, play and interact with other users. Live Site >