Frank Ramirez

192 South Murphy Ave., #203
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 730-4124
frank@ramirezdesign.com

Experience

 Skills
     
  Ramirez Design, LLC

User Experience
Requirements Definition
User Research
Contextual Inquiry
Conceptual Modeling
Prototype Development
Information Architecture
Interaction Design
UI Design

Computer
Photoshop
Illustrator
Visio
DreamWeaver
Flash
HTML
CSS
JavaScript (limited)
Windows OS
Mac OS

 

2/04- Present Principal
  Led User experience strategy,requirements definition, customer research and UI/IA/Interaction Design for various web-based applications. Clients include: Yahoo!, eBay, Network Appliance, Stanford University , and several start-ups.
 
Walmart.com
1/01 - 2/04
 Sr. Information Architect
7/00 - 1/01
 Art Director/Creative Lead

Led requirements definition and information architecture for multiple in-store, online and cross-channel initiatives. Participated in a wide variety of project activities including: discovery research, concept generation, usability testing, cross-functional collaboration, IA documentation and communication. Projects include:

  • Pharmacy Blueprint
    • "Vision" project for online pharmacy 2+ yrs out
    • Final deliverables included: user research report, user profiles, information architecture and visual design for the "ideal" online pharmacy
  • Photocenter Kiosk
    • Touch-screen application
    • Allows customers to view and share photos, order prints and gifts
  • Music and Movies Kiosk
    • Touch-screen application
    • Allows customers to shop for, listen to and purchase CDs and movies. Also allows associates to check in-store inventory
    • Industry recognition includes this quote from Summit Research: "...We have never seen a better example of kiosk software that has been so well-designed ...The user interface is excellent and removes almost all guesswork."
      -Kiosk Industry Sector Report, 2003
  • Wireless Kiosk
    • Touch-screen application
    • Customer self-service machine and associate productivity and learning tool
    • Customer mode enables comparison shopping for wireless phones and services.
    • Normalized data from multiple wireless service providers allows for a single user interface to Sprint, Cingular, Alltel, etc.
    • Associate mode functionality includes real-time credit check and activation, training mode, a custom message system and much more
  • Walmart.com Holiday 2000 Launch
    • Worked with the Walmart.com Creative Director, Sapient IAs and designers, and HomeWarehouse engineers to "skin" the new Walmart.com site onto the HomeWarehouse platform
    • Handled IA and Creative Lead responsibilities for the checkout process and online photocenter

Other Activities

  • Drafted user research plans, performed contextual inquiry and moderated dozens of usability evaluations in a lab environment and in-stores across the United States
  • Participated in the IA documentation project that standardized the flows and wireframes created by Information Architects at Walmart.com
  • Participated in the Kiosk Design Standards project that defined the UI style guide for all kiosks in Wal-Mart Stores.
  • Led multiple research and analysis projects for store-integration initiatives including checkout, gift registry, optical, and some that are too confidential to list
HomeWarehouse.com (Purchased by Walmart.com)
1/00 - 7-00
 Art Director/Creative Lead
9/99 - 1/00
 Designer
Worked with internal team and outside usability firm (Creative Good) to test and redesign the HomeWarehouse ecommerce website. Led IA and visual redesign that resulted in an overnight jump in conversion (over 2x) and revenue. Named by ZDNet as top 10 ecommerce site 2/00 for integration of content & commerce
 
Ramirez Design
6/96 - 9/99
 Principal
Designed websites, UI and flash animation. Clients include: BEA Systems, Exodus Communications, Old Navy, NexPrise
 
Keypoint Software
6/97 - 1/99
 Manager, Web Graphic & Interface Design
12/96 - 6/97
 Web Graphic & Interface Designer
Founding member and manager of Key Point's design team. Led information architecture, design and HTML for over 40 Internet, Intranet and extranet projects. Clients include: Hewlett Packard, Adaptec, Shoreline Teleworks, KLA Tencor, Altera
 

Education
 

San Jose State University
1996

B.S. Graphic Design, emphasis in Illustration
  Studied conceptual and digital illustration, information design, typography, art history, painting and printing
 
    Writing
     
2004   Web Application Solutions: A Designer's Guide
    (Co-authored with Luke Wroblewski)
    http://www.ramirezdesign.com/resources/WebApplicationSolutions.pdf
     
    Membership & Affiliations
     
    SF Bay Area chapter of ACM SIGCHI (BayCHI)
    American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
    Asilomar Institute for Information Architecture(AIfIA)
    Interaction Design Association (IxDA) - board member