TriUPA Newsletter – Q1 2010

Take a moment to read the first edition of the TriUPA Newsletter for 2010!

Inside:

Letter from the President

Upcoming Events

Member Profile with Janey Barnes

World Usability Day 2009 Recap

Job: AJAX programmer

Market Vue Partners is seeking an experienced AJAX programmer for an immediate, short term project. Please contact Janet Kennedy at jkennedy93 AT gmail DOT com with background and experience for more details.

Innovate Carolina conference April 10

Local. Fun. And bursting at the seams with new tools for growing your business.

Why should you come to the Innovate Carolina Conference on April 10, 2010?

To UNDERSTAND your customers better than you ever have before
To FIND leading-edge tools to separate you from your peers at your company
To DISCOVER how the thought leaders in innovation are creating growth
At Innovate Carolina, you will MEET YOUR PEERS within the innovation and product development space who live right here in the Carolinas. You might find your next job, business partner, or new fellow comrade. Hosted by Product Development and Management Association, Carolinas Chapter.

For more information:
http://innovatecarolina.wordpress.com/

Job: Visual Designer

Visual Designer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Please visit http://www.bcbsnc.com to apply.

Responsible for creating and managing interactive design elements, page level layout, task fulfillment and consistent visual treatment of web sites, email campaigns and web applications.  Participate in concept development of design solutions and provide input in how the visual interface should be designed.  Ensure that the application of visual assets and realization of information design efforts support the users’ needs and align with the design and brand strategy.

Major Job Functions/Components

• Create innovative designs for web sites, email campaigns, web applications and other digital platforms across the enterprise.
• Works as an integral member of project teams with user experience designers, content strategists, usability analysts and other visual design team members.
• Produces multiple design concepts that engage with users and fulfill project goals and requirements.
• Works closely with team members on the creation, design and implementation of approved projects.
• Identifies interaction and visual user interface requirements and develops design approach.
• Produces multiple concepts that engage users and fulfill project goals and requirements.
• Develops design prototypes, story boards and written visual user interface specifications.
• Collaborates and shares expertise with our creative studio, user experience designers, content strategists, developers and other team members.
• Ensures consistency with BCBSNC brand guidelines and adheres to visual guidelines, CSS standards, UI library components and defined design language for the Web.
• Works with information designers and developers to integrate visual and interaction design artifacts into functional prototypes or production ready pages.

Hiring Requirements/Qualifications

Education/Experience	Bachelor’s degree and 5 years experience designing Web based interfaces and applications. Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and other digital design software Proficient in  HTML / CSS
Professional Certification

Hiring Preferences

Additional Education/Experience Preferences	Bachelor’s degree in Web visual design, graphic design, communication arts, or fine arts preferred Work experience demonstrates formal understanding, training or experience with user centered design principles and information/interaction design Web consulting or services firm experience a plus
Soft Skills/Abilities	Understanding of how comps translate to code Well-rounded design skills with a solid foundation of fundamentals Overall understanding of Web production Understanding of Web best practices for visual design and digital branding Formal design training with direct experience designing for the Web, from producing basic wireframes to extensive design processes Passion and curiosity about contemporary design culture Can work independently or collaboratively as part of cross-functional teams An eye for detail Excellent interpersonal skills Ability to juggle multiple project responsibilities Strong oral communication skills and presentation skills
Professional Certification	Any certifications in visual design, graphic design, Web interface or software interface design, human factors, user interaction design, computer interaction design, information design or related fields a plus

Job: User Experience Designer

User Experience Designer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Please visit http://www.bcbsnc.com and search for 8083BR to apply.

Responsible for designing user interfaces, interactions and information architectures for Web sites and applications and validating that those designs meet both business requirements and the needs of end users.   Act as a critical link between the end user, business owner and the web office team to ensure that user-centered design principles and best practices are applied to all web experiences.

Major Job Functions/Components

• Represent the voice of the user
• Be an advocate for user needs throughout the development lifecycle
• Raise/escalate issues that could impact the usability of proposed designs
• Effectively explain and sell design recommendations
• Plan, coordinate and conduct user research
• Conduct site visits, contextual inquiries, lab-based and remote usability tests, surveys and/or other research to identify, understand and prioritize user needs and workflows
• Research and analyze industry trends and competitor sites; and prioritize and promote design recommendations based on research findings.
• Design user interfaces
• Translate business requirements, use cases and functional specifications into information architecture, user interface and interaction design for optimal user experiences
• Develop user experience documentation (wireframes and flows) detailing proposed solutions and revise as necessary to achieve stakeholder approval
• Evaluate proposed and existing designs
• Evaluate User Interface design at all stages of the development lifecycle (in wireframe form, in development and after implementation)
• Plan, organize and conduct usability testing sessions with both internal and external users
• Work collaboratively with Web Experience team members to ensure that visual design is user-friendly and consistent, and that copy is clear, concise, and user-friendly

Hiring Requirements/Qualifications

Education/Experience	Bachelor’s degree 3 years experience in information architecture/usability engineering of web sites and applications in a professional environment Experience in the organization, execution and analysis of usability testing (both on prototypes and live systems)
Professional Certification

Hiring Preferences

Additional Education/Experience Preferences

BA/BS in Information Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Social Science or Information Science is preferred. Experience with large-scale/complex web applications Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through various formats (both oral and written), both individually and in groups Experience working with project teams to accomplish aggressive goals within short time frames Knowledge of capabilities and limitations of current internet-related technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flash and CMS Demonstrated expertise in user experience design and usability research methods Demonstrated ability to document designs in both flow chart and wireframe formats Demonstrated commitment to user advocacy Experience in the healthcare and/or health insurance industry

Soft Skills/Abilities

Excellent analytical, organizational, collaboration & relationship building, facilitation, interpersonal and communication skills Critical eye for detail and ability to translate complex concepts into clear visual representation Ability to understand the needs of end users and customers and integrate those needs into design Proven ability to work and coordinate with multiple groups, including business owners, creative designers, technical teams, etc. Must be able to learn quickly and deal well with ambiguous situations Must be self-disciplined, flexible and innovative Exceptional attention to detail Polished, professional demeanor Positive and constructive attitude Ability to manage multiple projects and consistently deliver quality work in a fast-paced environment Ability to clearly articulate ideas and achieve buy-in from project stakeholders Ability to quickly adapt to changing schedules, requirements and new technologies/methodologies Ability to take ownership of tasks and drive them through to completion

Job: User Interface Developer

User Interface Developer – SAS
http://www.sas.com/jobs/USjobs/search.html

Description

As a UI Developer you will be responsible for designing, developing, improving, and debugging the software interfaces of both stand-alone client software and Web based software applications. These tasks will be associated with new and existing products in accordance with designated development practices and timelines.

Additional responsibilities may include:

* Designing and writing new or revised program language code or processing routines; actively soliciting the involvement of other developers to ensure integrity and cross-product consistency
* Developing storyboards, mockups and/or prototypes to communicate interaction and design ideas
* Evaluating the usability of new and existing products and making constructive recommendations for improvements
* Working with multiple operating systems and anticipating technical anomalies and enhancements for various environments
* Performing testing of software; verifying, tracking, and fixing “bugs”; modifying software design, as necessary.
* Discussing technical and design issues with users and customers; anticipating time needed to complete projects and assisting in product scheduling.
* Designing, developing, and ensuring quality of various prototype and demonstration systems.
* Preparing and conducting system and program tests requiring the interfacing of hardware and software.
* Determining hardware compatibility and developing compatible code as appropriate.
* Performing programming tasks including program design, coding, debugging, and documentation.
* Preparing feasibility studies and designing tests to determine operating characteristics of software as required.
* Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential

* Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related quantitative field; with
* 5 years of software development/programming experience.
* Experience developing software user interfaces
* Experience with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), XML, HTML, and Javascript

Essential Equivalent

* Associate’s degree in the same fields with 7 years of the stated essential qualifications ~OR~
* High School diploma (GED) with 9 years of the stated essential qualifications.

Additional

* Working knowledge of multiple operating systems.
* Strong interpersonal, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
* Solid programming skills in SAS, Java, or language(s) related to user interface development
* Experience with Adobe Flash and/or Flex
* Experience with usability standards and guidelines and/or human computer interaction principles
* Ability to think analytically and to effectively communicate problems and fixes.
* Ability to work independently or with a team.

Preferences

* Familiarity with the Education Industry
* Familiarity or experience with accessibility standards and guidelines
* Familiarity with Agile software development practices

Additional Information

To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.

The level of this position will be determined based on the applicant’s education, skills and experience.

Resumes may be considered in the order they are received.
SAS employees performing certain job functions may require access to technology or software subject to export or import regulations.  To comply with these regulations, SAS may obtain nationality or citizenship information from applicants for employment.  SAS collects this information solely for trade law compliance purposes and does not use it to discriminate unfairly in the hiring process.

Sr. Usability Specialist, Contractor, Charlotte, NC

Senior Usability Specialist Contractor
Wells Fargo
Charlotte, NC

Wells Fargo has an immediate opening to fill a 6-month Senior Usability Specialist contract in our Charlotte, NC office. There is a possibility of extending the contract up to 18 months if there is a business need.

The Senior Usability Specialist is responsible for designing and conducting 1×1 usability studies of web-based experiences. This individual will collaborate with interaction designers, business owners, developers, and graphic designers to establish the research plan and outline requirements for the test material. The researcher responsibilities include: devise screeners, manage recruiting, design study, facilitate testing, collect and analyze data, report results, make recommendations, and to effectively communicate findings to a broad audience of stakeholders.

The researcher will be part of the User Research team within the Internet Services group, and will collaborate with other senior researchers in the Charlotte and San Francisco offices (collaboration with SF is virtual). The primary focus of the research work for this position is related to the merger between Wachovia and Wells Fargo. The nature of these projects is fast-paced and complex – it requires researchers who are flexible, collaborative, with excellent problem solving skills and ability to prioritize research findings for business decision-making.

Requirements:

* 5 or more years focused experience in usability testing of web interfaces
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* Outstanding analytical skills
* Detail orientation
* Quick learner
* Self-directed
* Demonstrated success in conducting research and testing with a wide variety of end users
* Demonstrated experience with a variety of research and testing techniques, including think-aloud, 1-on-1 interviews, card sorts, and on- site observation.
* Position is on-site in the Charlotte office during regular business hours (generally Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 5:30pm)
* Preferred Skills/Experience: Financial services experience

To Apply:

Please send resume to Caroline Beacham at caroline.beacham@wachovia.com

Drinks with David Malouf, TriUPA presenter — 7:30p Tue 6/23 @ Carolina Inn

David Malouf, one of the co-founders of IxDA, is presenting “Sketching for Interaction Design” for TriUPA.

Want to meet Dave and talk interaction design before the workshop? Join Dave and other TriUPAians for drinks…

7:30pm
Tuesday 6/23/09
Carolina Inn bar
http://www.carolinainn.com/chapel-hill-trip-planner.php

Hope you can join us!

Attending the UPA 2009 International Conference – Portland?

If you are attending the 2009 Usability Professionals Conference in Portland be sure to visit the UPA Networking Event on Wednesday, June 10 to meet up with other Triangle area Chapter members!   The networking event will also showcase UPA projects, SIGS, and other Chapters.   If you’d like to connect with other TriUPA members prior to the conference, comment here on our blog, or contact Kim Chang at kim.chang at bcbsnc.com.

Attention Writers!

The TriUPA community needs you!  

Do you have ideas for articles that you would like to see on the TriUPA website?  

Are you passionate about a particular user experience related subject?  

Do you have expertise or a success story that you would like to share?  

If you are interested in writing for our site, please contact Kimberly Chang at kim.chang at bcbsnc.com.