About Matt Gardner

Matt Gardner is a UX designer, web designer and visual communications expert that has worked in a wide variety of markets and disciplines over the last 12 years.

In that time he has spent 5 years in the television industry and another 6 years working as a web specialist both as an independent contractor and as a staff member. He has learned how to design not just for aesthetics but to achieve a great user experience.

Matt enjoys working with a team but is also a self starter and a leader. He enjoys the psychological aspect of the user experience and will take the to time test, interview and analyze a variety of users' profiles to create solutions that make even the most complex of solutions user friendly and enjoyable for both the novice and expert.

Matt also has the ability and flexibility to see the grand scheme, from concept, to design, to the finished piece by utilizing a variety of skills as a designer, team player and competent leader help to enhance the process. He is highly motivated to produce strong conceptual designs under tight deadlines and use effective visual communication skills to complete projects efficiently while maintaining positive working relationships.

Creative Applications:

Adobe Creative Suite 5 with an emphasis on Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Dreamweaver, with a working knowledge of After Effects, Flash, Fireworks, Expression Blend

Microsoft Specific Skills:

Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server 2010 and 2007, SharePoint Designer 2010 and Visual Studio 2010 and 2008

Languages:

HTML5, XHTML, CSS, CSS3, and a working understanding Java script/jQuery and Actionscript

Others:

Broadcast design, animations and illustration both in traditional and digital mediums

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Curriculum vitae

Selected Work Experience

UX Consultant

DevFacto Technologies Inc

Edmonton, AB

April 2011 – Present

  • Create the visual design and masterpages for a variety of SharePoint intranets and extranets, utilizing HTML, CSS, jQuary, Microsoft Visual Studio and SharePoint Designer.
  • Design and develop both the structure and the usability of large Intranet sites to ensure that they become a regular tool for staff and management alike. Sites that not only act as a collection of content and documents but help develop the social cultural of the organization.
  • Conduct and analyze user surveys as well as work with committees to ensure that the product works for the vast majority of users.
  • Consultant with clients to ensure their extranet templates can could be easily branded by their independent resellers by designing a set of flexible layouts and navigation structures that help keep information consistent by utilizing a structure that was easy to use and implement.
  • Develop the usability for Windows 8 based portable tablet applications.
  • Built interactive PDF prototypes that allow customers to test usability on a both touchscreen devices and desktop computers to ensure maximum ease of use.

Owner, Art Director & Web Designer

Urban Propaganda (Sole Proprietorship)

Edmonton, AB - Vancouver, BC - Montreal, QC

September 2006 – October 2010

  • Work with a multitude of clients on developing concepts that can be incorporated with both new and old corporate identities.
  • Produce and design logo kits, advertising, product packaging, annual reports, retail point of sales displays, websites and promotional material.
  • Collaborate with a variety of subcontractors including printers, video editors and programmers to ensure the best final product for the client.
  • Manage all aspects of the business including bookkeeping, quoting, invoicing, press quality and hiring subcontractors.
  • Manage all aspects of the business including bookkeeping, quoting, invoicing, press quality and hiring subcontractors.

Senior Graphic Designer

CHUM Television

Edmonton, AB

November 2001 – September 2006

  • Oversaw all print related projects created within the art department.
  • Design materials relating to promotional handouts, advertising and print support for ACCESS the education station, CLT, Book Television, CourtTV Canada, Citytv, and Distribution Access.
  • Collaborate with CHUM internal and external clients in production planning, preparation and execution of graphics to apply to both print and on-air projects.
  • Create original illustrations as required for internal and external projects.
  • Apply photography skills for use in both print and multimedia.

Education

Visual Communication Diploma

Design And Digital Media Major - Honours Graduate

Grant MacEwan University

Edmonton, AB

September 1998 - April 2000

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