MSc in "Interactive Multimedia" (Westminster University of London)
(See my "Linkedin" profile)
Background in advertising and corporate identity. Over 12 years of cross-discipline experience (design, development, UI architecture, user experience), acquired working both client and agency side. Experience as project manager and team leader. Expert in usability, ecommerce (B2C and B2B), UI design, accessibility of web-based applications, W3C standards and SEO optimisation. Almost four years of exposure to Agile development methodology (FDD). Excellent coding skills (XHTML and CSS). PRINCE2 Practitioner certified.
WORK EXPERIENCE
USER EXPERIENCE CONSULTANT - October 2008 to present
Customers:
- MICROSOFT (Pitch consultancy)
- CARLSON DIGITAL (Pitch consultancy)
- MONITOR MEDIA (Pitch consultancy)
- THE ENGINE GROUP (Pitch consultancy)
- LOVEFILM LTD (Complete UI architecture and design for a TV application)
- SCANSAFE (UI architecture and design of a complex reporting system featuring a query builder based on natural language)
- ARKESOFT (UI architecture and design of an innovative web application featuring artificial intelligence).
HUDDLE.NET - April 2008 to October 2008
USER EXPERIENCE MANAGER
Responsible for the re-architecture of the customer experience of Huddle products.
Main tasks:
- maximize the workflow;
- increase the ease of use whilst maintaining web standards;
- supervise the UI development.
SCANSAFE - October 2006 to April 2008
HEAD OF USER INTERFACE DESIGN
- Front-end architecture for ScanCenter (B2B application).
- Code re-factoring and re-branding of ScanCenter (B2B application), plus several white-labelled versions.
- Front-end architecture, design and mark-up development of a fully accessible, W3C compliant, complete set of interfaces (wireframes, proof of concept, coding) for ScanSuite (B2B application).
- SEO optimisation of the ScanSafe website (www.scansafe.com), resulting in a 42% increase of natural search.
COMET GROUP Plc - January 2005 to October 2006
USER EXPERIENCE ARCHITECT
- Re-branding of the Comet website (www.comet.co.uk).
- Design and mark-up development of a fully accessible, W3C compliant, complete set of interfaces (wireframes, proof of concept, coding) for the Comet website
- SEO optimisation of the Comet website, resulting in a 35% increase of natural search
- Design of a complete set of interfaces (wireframes, proof of concept) for the E-store project (B2B)
- Design of a complete set of interfaces (wireframes, proof of concept) for the call centre version of the Comet website
- Accessibility and SEO consultant for Kitchen Science (www.kitchenscience.co.uk)
ASCOT RACECOURSE - March 2004 to December 2004
WEBMASTER, UI DESIGNER
FREELANCE - June 2003 to February 2004
WEB DESIGNER/DEVELOPER, UI DESIGNER, WEB/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Customers: Saatchi & Saatchi, COMMUNIX Ltd, INTERSHOP (UK) Ltd
- Design and development of a complete set of interfaces for a fully accessible eCommerce platform (front-end and back-office)
- Development of the Team Saatchi website (www.teamsaatchi.co.uk) featuring video streaming.
- Logos design, packaging.
INTERSHOP (UK) Ltd - July 2000 to June 2003
SENIOR WEB DESIGNER
- Lead and coordinated a team of developers and content contributors, in collaboration with Java programmers, to develop eCommerce web sites
- Developed web designs during proof-of-concepts and constructed prototypes in a pre- and post- sales capacity for various sales prospects
- Managed complete front-end design works through the design phase (story boards and wire frames) to the implementation phase (coding) for leading B2C and B2B web sites such as TRW (eos.trw.com), Ocado.com (www.ocado.com) and Homebase.co.uk (www.homebase.co.uk)
- Achieved tight timescales for delivery of large scale projects
- Involved in the review, optimisation and cross-browser debugging of web interfaces of critical enterprise-level projects
- Redesigned and suggested enhancements through prototypes for Intershop products and reference applications
- Applied and adhered to strict client corporate guidelines
- Constructed periodic marketing mail updates through personalised interactive electronic mailings
- Designed and developed flash/html-based CD-Roms
TELVIA S.r.l. (leading Italian Internet Service Provider) - January 2000 to April 2000
PROJECT MANAGER
- Drafted business and marketing plans of ADSL offers on the Italian market at a national level
- Art direction and contents supervision of Telvia's website (www.telvia.it)
- Art direction and content supervision of promotional materials
- Responsible for recruiting the Telvia's project team
NET-WORK S.r.l. (Italian Advertising Agency) - March 1997 to January 2000
COPYWRITER AND SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
- Created advertising campaigns under tight deadlines for various media channels such as television, radio, newspapers and posters
- Supervised the team responsible for the optimisation of the advertisements prior to the printing process
- Created logos and corporate identities
- Designed promotional material such as brochures, leaflets, direct mailings
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- 09/09/03 - MSC in "Interactive Multimedia" (Westminster University of London)
- 09/06/98 - Professional training certificate "Designing promotional materials" from London College of Printing & Distributive Trades
- 16/12/93 - Specialization in "show management" from L.U.I.S.S. (International Free Social Studies University, Rome)
- 22/04/92 - Political science degree (international studies) - Obtained with Distinction
SKILLS
- Programming languages: - XHTML, DHTML, HTML, CSS2, XML, XSL, LINGO, JAVASCRIPT. Basic JSP, ASP and PHP.
- Main tools / applications: - PHOTOSHOP, FLASH, TOPSTYLE, FREEHAND, ILLUSTRATOR, DREAMWEAVER, DIRECTOR, HOMESITE, ULTRAEDIT, VISIO, IMAGEREADY, CUBASE, VISUAL SOURCE SAFE.
- Operating Systems: - Mac OS, Win XP
- Languages: Italian mother-tongue, English and French fluent
GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
- Member of the Industry Advisory Panel of the Westminster University of London, advising the University on the content of its modules and developing links with industry.
AWARDS
OTHER
- PRINCE2 Practitioner certified (2008).
- Attended internal training: courses organised by COMET: "Managing effectively from the start".
- Attended internal training: courses organised by INTERSHOP UK: "Enfinity", "Enfinity 2", Enfinity Multisite, Procurement, Content Management.
- Work experience at "The DKO Group" (Design agency based in London), with creation of labels for the new Lancôme tester (June 1998).
- Author of "Tourism in Brittany" (1994): a project aimed at creating a new structure for the distribution in Italy of information regarding the tourism on offer in Brittany.
INTEREST
- Music: Playing antique harps, guitar - has participated in 5 recordings
- Hobbies: Cooking, Traveling, and Writing
- Hold UK driving licence