About

Shana

Overview

I am a self-motivated, detail oriented, web / graphic / UIUX designer and front-end developer based in South Florida. I get excited about solving problems with visual designs and I have an insatiable appetite to continually push design elements and technologies to create best-in-class solutions.

Over twenty five years experience with a myriad of increasing and diverse technical and graphic arts positions. I possess an MBA with a concentration in Information Technology. This has given me a clear understanding of how to address a company's needs, manage projects within time and budget constraints, and acted as a springboard for addressing the technical aspects of design.

My career foundation is in print and packaging design and I am fully adept at digital formats. I'm enthusiastic about UI/UX, researching and understanding the user, their journey and pain points; then addressing and creating the best solution. My design process is centered on empathy and data-driven decision-making, ensuring every solution enhances usability and delight. Skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams in Agile environments, I thrive in fast-paced settings where innovation and problem-solving come together. Whether designing from the ground up or improving existing interfaces, I aim to create seamless and impactful experiences that resonate with users.

Effective communicator with familiarity in presenting designs and explaining UX rationale. I use Figma and Adobe CC consistently and hand code several of my web projects. Experienced with HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap, W3C standards, responsive design and cross browser implementation. Knowledge of Wordpress, PHP, JQuery, React, Storybook, SQL, and Lean UX techniques.

Fun Facts

30

Books I read in a year. Some educational but mostly fiction and I love a good British detective mystery.

110

Things still left on my bucket list. From sky-diving to chilling in outer space, the list goes on.

48

Cups of tea I drink monthly. Between green teas and herbal teas I have to get my fix at least once a day.

Experience

The only source of knowledge is experience.

UIUX Designer

Dominion DMS

02/23 - Present

UIUX Designer

  • Collaborated closely with cross-functional Agile teams to define and refine user stories, translating complex requirements into visually appealing and functional user experiences.
  • Delivered wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes for enterprise applications, ensuring compatibility with legacy systems and scalability for future enhancements.
  • Worked on shopping carts / retail websites using React and Storybook.
  • Worked with developers to integrate user-focused designs into complex technical architectures, and troubleshoot usability issues during development cycles.
  • Maintained and updated comprehensive design systems, ensuring consistent UI components and scalability across multiple products.
  • Conducted user research with diverse personas to uncover key usability challenges and gather actionable insights to drive informed design decisions.
  • Advocated for accessibility in all designs to expand usability for a broader range of users.
  • Presented designs and explained UX rationale to both technical and non-technical users.
Freelancer Graphic

Freelance Designer

01/06 - Present

Graphic / Web Designer,
Front End Developer

  • Conceptualized, designed and produced website layouts & templates, software user interfaces, emails, social media ads and digital promotional elements.
  • Built large Wordpress sites using Oxygen / Divi / WooCommerce.
  • Worked on shopping carts / retail websites using React and Storybook.
  • Researched and evaluated user requirements to deliver outstanding user experiences by providing exceptional and intuitive application design.
  • Understood and translated strategic company goals and business requirements into visually compelling layouts, functionality and online user experiences.
  • Created product packaging (boxes, labels, bags, POS displays), from concept to release, for various food and nutrition companies.
  • Designed print ads featured in national magazines, marketing brochures, sales catalogs, swag and other promotional collateral.
  • Utilized design skills to communicate marketing plans for various companies while operating within strict time constraints and multi-tasking in fast-paced environments.
Lead Web Designer

Sonny's Enterprises

03/22 – 02/23

Lead Web Designer

  • Created visually beautiful, custom Wordpress websites for multiple clients to drive conversion.
  • Designed large corporate sites with a clean, modern look that engages audiences and clearly communicates product features.
  • Developed user-centered designs by understanding business requirements, and user feedback.
  • Partnered with and collected input across marketing to meet the broader team's needs and bring project designs to life.
  • Trained clients one-on-one on how to update and manage their custom websites.
  • Consistently delivered fresh ideas and concepts across print and digital media while working within the corporate visual guidelines.
Freelancer Graphic

PXE Group, LLC / iS3 Inc.

06-12 - 07-21

Senior Web Designer

  • Managed several of the business entities' websites simultaneously, both commercial large scale sites and informational sites.
  • Designed and built the front-end for different product cart pages using React and Storybook.
  • Designed, built and maintained company Wordpress blogs and product websites using custom themes and templates.
  • Redesigned and coded several corporate websites, admin sites, landing pages and email templates using current technologies.
  • Reconstructed the UI (user interface) for several of the company's top selling software to enhance the user experience.
  • Collaborated effectively with product, engineering, and management teams to create visually delightful and easy-to-use digital products.
  • Designed custom brochures, booklets and trifolds that helped legal defense gain more clients.
  • Developed ideas for corporate swag and promotional marketing collateral.
  • Created interesting, detailed infographics and worked on branded print materials for the Sales department.
Freelancer Graphic

Media Placement Group

10/09 - 09/10

Senior Web Designer

  • Designed moderately complex multimedia corporate websites, microsites and related digital media/marketing assets for national advertising clients.
  • Aided in the development of front end user interfaces, using elegant and efficient semantic code.
  • Interpreted and understood the client's needs; thought creatively to produce new ideas that supported business goals and objectives while incorporating industry best practice methods.
  • Worked with project staff to provide forward-thinking, high quality conceptual solutions for clients and presented ideas to executive level staff in a professional manner.
  • Handled production requirements and specifications for all managed projects.
Freelancer Graphic

Nutri-Force Nutrition

11/04 - 12/05

Senior Graphic/Web Designer

  • Developed in-house advertising and communication pieces including design concepts, artwork, and production to enhance company image/positioning and increase market exposure.
  • Translated the brand and brand message to customers and partners through the implementation and co-development of design guidelines established by the organization.
  • Communicated with external clients to assess the most appropriate solution for their communication objectives while ensuring sales and productivity goals were achieved.
  • Coordinated interactions with internal and external vendors to ensure price, quality, schedule and delivery of all integral materials.
  • Worked on hundreds of nutritional supplement labels and ensured both the visual design guidelines and the FDA regulations were met.
Freelancer Graphic

Scitec Nutrition

04/02 - 11/04

Creative Director/Web Designer/Project Manager

  • Defined and developed brand standards for in-house marketing collateral and client projects.
  • Responsible for the creation and production of design concepts, layout and printing for company's international quarterly magazine publications.
  • Managed, developed and re-designed company's interactive website.
  • Designed and produced complex internal and external marketing and communications materials, including proposals, brochures, promotional materials, advertisements, trade show graphics, and exhibit booth graphics.
  • Worked on the product packaging / labels for dozens of nutritional supplements.

Education

Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.

March 1977

The Beginning

Mandeville, Jamaica

I'm so amazing, I was given a certificate just for being born.
1988-1993

High School Diploma

Belair High School

Received a full high school scholarship at age 12. Graduated at age 16 with acceptance to 3 universities.
1994-1996

Associate's Degree

University of Tampa

Associates of Science in Business Administration
Degree GPA: 3.8
1996-1998

Bachelor's Degree

University of Central Florida

Bachelors of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS)
Degree GPA: 3.7
01/1999-12/1999

Associate's Degree

Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

Associates of Art in Graphic Design
Nominated for Best Portfolio
Degree GPA 3.8
08/2000-12/2001

Master's Degree

University of Central Florida

Masters of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems
Degree GPA: 3.7
10/2013

PHP Certification

Hands on IT Training

Attended comprehensive PHP programming classes for certificate training.
06/2024

Professional Scrum with UX Certification

Scrum.org

The Professional Scrum with User Experience™ (PSU I) certification validates your knowledge of how Scrum Teams can integrate UX with Scrum to enhance value creation and delivery.
2020-now

Ongoing Certification

LinkedIn / Google Training

Ongoing training in current technologies with an interest in UI/UX design.

Skills

Talent you have naturally. Skill is only developed by hundreds of hours of work.

Image

UIUX Design

  • Intermediate to advanced skills in Wireframing and Prototyping using Figma / XD.
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in User Interface and Interaction Design
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in Responsive, Adaptive and Accessible Designs
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in building, maintaning and updating Design Systems and Style Guides
  • Familiar with conducting User Research (interviews, surveys, personas), Usability Testing (moderated and unmoderated), User Journey Mapping, Information Architecture (IA), Task Flows and User Flows
  • Cross-functional Collaboration (with product, developers, and stakeholders)
  • Experience with the Presentation and Storytelling of design concepts
  • Skilled in Feedback and Iteration processes
Image

Website Development

  • Intermediate to advanced skills in HTML, CSS, UI/UX design, SEO/SEM techniques.
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in Adobe CC including: Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Acrobat Pro, XD.
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in several Microsoft software including: Microsoft Project, Visio, Powerpoint, Word, Excel, Visual Basic, and Access.
  • Intermediate skills in Javascript/JQuery, React, PHP, Storybook, SQL, and creating and maintaining SQL databases.
  • Familiar with content management systems including Wordpress and Drupal, and able to build custom themes and manage content and graphics accurately in a CMS environment.
  • Intermediate skills in project management and collaboration software (Wrike, Slack, Trello, Basecamp, Monday, Teams). With previous experience working in an Agile environment.
  • Trained in database design, system analysis, project management.
  • Proficiency in Mac OS and PC Windows environment.
Image

Graphic Design

  • Strong understanding of fundamental graphic design principles.
  • Ability to conceptualize ideas and execute visuals using various software.
  • Understanding and knowledge of animation techniques, electronic illustration, multi-page document layout, presentation graphics, promotional and product packaging, and other production techniques.
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in the Adobe Creative Suite software including: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Acrobat Pro.
  • XD / Figma
  • HTML 5
  • CSS 3
  • SASS
  • Wordpress
  • JQuery / React / VUE
  • PHP / MySQL
  • Storybook
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • Dreamweaver / VS Code
  • Indesign / Acrobat Pro
  • Microsoft Project / Visio
  • Word / Excel / Powerpoint
  • Git / Sourcetree
  • Lean UX Techniques