Blake Harvey Design

Lead Front-end Web Developer & Senior Web Designer

I am currently working as the lead front-end web developer and senior web designer at Sittercity.com, a company that helps parents find sitters and nannies for childcare. My work at Sittercity includes HTML/CSS and jQuery/Javascript coding for all facets of the website and visual design work for the "logged-in" site interface for both sitters and parents. My front-end development is done in Sittercity's PHP framework utilizing Git repositories to manage the code.

Professional Experience

Sittercity.com

Lead Front-end Web Developer & Senior Web Designer | April 2011 to present

• Work with closely with Sittercity's UX/IA lead on website interface updates and projects
• Collaborate with Software Engineers on development projects and code releases
• Work with the marketing team on projects for the homepage and various other landing pages on the site
• Work with Social Media Lead on Facebook page updates and contests

Tecture LLC — website design, ecommerce, and strategic marketing firm

Senior Web Designer, Front-end Web Developer, & Project Manager | April 2010 to April 2011

• Work with Tecture's UX lead to improve the usability of the Edward Don eCommerce website
• Collaborate with Tecture's designers to redesign the Smith Optics' eCommerce website
• Write proposals and statements of work for client projects.
• Manage a wide variety of projects including SEO site enhancements, medical web form development, and full website redesigns.
• Implement versioning control system for managing all design file assets.

National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois

Art Director, Graphic Designer, & Front End Web Developer | February 2005 to April 2010

• Work with NCSA Public Affairs to plan and execute web and print projects for NCSA's administration directorate and nine research groups
• Hire, manage, and art direct undergraduate design interns working in-house and design agencies working on outsourced projects
• Design signage and layout, manage production, and oversee installation of 40’ x 40’ and smaller trade show booths
• Design, art direct, and manage production of ACCESS magazine – 32 page triannual publication featuring NCSA science articles
• Design and illustrate supercomputer system diagrams and graphics for inclusion in National Science Foundation proposal submissions
• Manage NCSA’s branding and identity standards internally with NCSA employees and externally with University of Illinois’ Public Affairs
• Design and implement new content management system for NCSA’s main website and research group websites
• Write Actionscript, XHTML/CSS, and content management system code for NCSA websites
• Participate in campus-wide meetings, workshops, and discussion forums on various graphic design and IT topics

National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois

Web Designer & Graphic Designer | September 2003 to February 2005

• Worked with NCSA Public Affairs staff to plan and execute web and multimedia projects for NCSA research groups
• Assisted art director with design of information graphics, brochures, posters, and ACCESS magazine articles
• Managed redesign of NCSA website – information architecture, visual design, and user experience design
• Developed and designed interactive websites and CDs utilizing Flash and Actionscript - including a 20 year history timeline of NCSA science highlights

Blake Harvey Design

Principal, Graphic Designer, & Front End Web Developer | November 2001 to April 2010

• Design and produce print collateral, websites, logos, identities, and environmental graphics for business clients in east-central Illinois
• Collaborate with local graphic designers as the web developer for website projects
• Provide clients with hosting services for websites, email, and content management systems
• Partial client list includes iCyt, R Systems, Serra Ventures, Sterling Wealth Management, Tirona Law, Gameday Spirit, Collegiate Services, O’Neil Brothers Construction, White Construction, Fox Development, IGW Architecture, University of Illinois, and Designer Messages

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center at the University of Illinois

Graphic Designer & Web Designer | May 2002 to September 2003

• Collaborated with web programmer on the redesign of the Center’s website – responsible for project management, visual design, information architecture, and user experience design
• Work with copywriters and programmers to design websites, brochures, posters, and flyers for various ISTC departments
• Developed and designed marketing materials and signage for events, conferences, and workshops

Parkland Business Development Center

Teaching Instructor | January 2001 to September 2004

• Taught HTML classes and introductory FLASH class to college students and business professionals
• Taught specialized software workshops for individual clients

Education

School of Art + Design, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design | May 2002

Relevant coursework included classes in visual organization, typography, image making, web and multimedia design, design methodology, photography, design history, and art history courses.

Software Skillset

(PC & MAC)

Activities

Thirst Relief International

Non-profit organization providing rural communities in Africa and South America with safe, clean drinking water

Volunteer web designer and webmaster | Fall 2007 to Winter 2010

Ninth Letter Literary Arts Journal at the University of Illinois

Contributing graphic designer | Fall Issue 2006

Japan House Tea Ceremony Study Group at the University of Illinois

Member | Fall 2005 to Spring 2010

Understanding Visual Culture

School of Art + Design course at the University of Illinois

Teaching Assistant | Fall 2005

Introduction to Japanese Aesthetics

School of Art + Design course at the University of Illinois

Teaching Assistant | Fall 2005