I focus on creating UX and visual design for web and mobile that is easy to use but has strong sense of brand personality. I draw from my experience as an artist to think critically about product concept and identity and to convey that directly and clearly while creating a look and feel that is engaging. I've created full user experience decks for apps and responsive sites including user surveys, user flows, personas, features mapping, site maps, wireframes, mockups and rapid prototyping with user testing. I have front end development experience working with HTML and CSS as well as customizing themes for WordPress, Blogger and SquareSpace. I have a certificate in User Experience design from NYU and a BA in art from SFSU. 

email: vknoop@gmail.com

Work

Freelance

San Francisco, CA
2013 – Present

As a freelance artist and designer, I've worked with individuals and small businesses to create commissioned work, logo and branding packages including site design and development. 

Program Manager

San Francisco Arts Commission
San Francisco, CA
2007 – 2013 

At the Arts Commission, I oversaw technology resources and acted as a technical project manager on several initiatives. The goal of these projects was to integrate the separately developed resources of nine programs into a single agency asset. This included a large database build out and a website redesign. On the database project, I managed a developer and a team of eight people representing each program. I created the information architecture, user flows and managed user testing. Additionally, I managed a large website redesign project with a similar goal of bringing together disparate program sites with various CMS systems. In day to day activities, I supervised contractors, developers and part time staff as well as managing an architectural review program.

Development Associate

Variety Children's Charity
San Francisco, CA
2004 – 2006 

I supported the senior staff in a small non profit. I wrote and designed a monthly newsletter for our members and created a program for children with disabilities and underserved youth that later became the backbone of the organization. I processed donations, prepared acknowledgement letters and coordinated productions and mailings of year end appeals. I maintained guest lists and prepared registration materials for fundraising events. 

Children's Art Workshop Teacher

Central City Hospitality House
San Francisco, CA
2004 – 2006

I developed curriculum and taught underserved youth in a community arts space. Projects included a range of techniques such as ceramics, painting and textiles while encouraged self reflection and social interaction.

Education

New York University

Certificate in User Experience Design, Center for Advanced Digital Applications

2014

Intensive Summer certificate course: This course established a conceptual framework for the crucial user experience process by reviewing select case studies an exploring key tools and resources used to gather information, including interviews, personas, site surveys, and analytics through the use of sketching, prototypes, and wireframing.

San Francisco State University

Bachelor's degree, Fine Art and Urban Studies

2001 – 2006

I completed two majors while at SFSU. The focus of my art degree was in sculpture and web based conceptual work. In Urban Studies, I focused on policy analysis of transportation, public space and community development. My thesis project was sponsored by the SFMTA and included original research with stakeholder interviews, best practices and a large scale public survey on the feasibility of bicycles on transit. 

UX

Flinto, PopApp, OmniGraffle, Balsamic, Moqups, UXPin, Pencil, Draw IO, Axure

Graphics

Adobe CC: Photoshop, Edge Animate, After Effects, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver

Code

HTML, CSS, Unix - Limited experience with JavaScript, PHP and Ruby

Admin

MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Docs, Gmail, FileMaker, Access 

Basics

Proficient with all Apple, Microsoft and Android operating systems.