J. J. Keller’s Prospera
As Prospera’s Internet Product Design Manager, I had the lead role in developing the high-level designs of Prospera, with a focus on information architecture, content planning, end-user functionality, and usability. I relied on user-centered research methods, direct customer feedback, legislative activity out of Washington D.C. and over 13 years of industry experience to inform and guide design decisions for Prospera.
Microsoft Research :: Sharing Personal Media
The Sharing Personal Media project, sponsored by the Microsoft’s Social Computing Research Group, asked first year graduate students from CMU’s School of Design to explore the creation, connection, and behavior of future mobile devices, and the ways in which such devices could facilitate information sharing.
Thesis Paper :: Designing for Innovation
Today’s business books and magazines are overrun with ideas and tactics on how to balance both strategy and creativity in the workplace, but in actuality, this is easier said than done. Many businesses continue to separate the creative design process from the strategic planning process, because even with the help of the literature, managing both still seems risky and contradictory.
Thesis Project :: Research Methods
Heuristic Evaluation? Cognitive Walkthrough? Beeper Studies? Professionals from all fields—whether they are lawyers, manufacturing planners, or surgeons—have an everyday language that may seem insurmountable to outsiders; and user-centered design researchers are no different. Instead of actually doing research, however, design researchers may find themselves continually selling research methods to the management team to get organizational buy-in.
8 Sharp
Before we six Managing Partners came together to form 8 Sharp, most of us had advanced in our careers to the point where we were managing those who did the design work—instead of getting hands-on. But there were parts of the management process that we liked very much—bringing together larger teams for multi-disciplinary projects and working with clients. 8 Sharp was a means for us to get back to doing both.
Allstate Advisor
The Allstate Life Insurance Company, part of Allstate Financial, offers a product called “The Allstate Advisor Variable Annuity” through a variety of broker dealers and financial institutions. Allstate Financial wanted to reposition the product to compete more effectively. Siegel & Gale was asked to rethink, redefine, and introduce a new product feature, the SureIncome(SM) Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Option, while also updating the look and feel of the sales materials.