UX Strategy
Chad D. Mills
(UX) User Experience Designer & Researcher
Houston
Summary
Dynamic User Experience Designer & Web Developer certified in Design from accredited institutions. Innovative and creative professional bringing 20+ years of experience developing wireframes, sitemaps, schematics and working prototypes (including producing HTML/CSS source code). Recognized for actively interacting with clients to best accommodate customer needs and meet identified objectives.
Overview
4
4
Certifications
3
3
years of post-secondary education
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior UX Designer
Thumbjamz Entertainment LLC
2018-10 - Current
- Founded leading edge SaaS platform: Provide core strategy, vision and leadership. Increased interest from investors
- Design and develop "responsive" SaaS platform (using Atomic Design principles) within 6 months
- Produce functional wire frames and prototypes (i.e. Adobe XD, Invision, etc.) for investors & partners during ongoing fundraising efforts.
- Conduct extensive market/user research & analysis using proven UX methodologies (i.e User Interviews, Competitive analysis & Empathy mapping).
- Design UI elements and tools such as navigation menus, search boxes, tabs and widgets for digital assets.
- Complete user research to identify opportunities for improving web presence.
- Test UI elements such as banners, page layouts, page designs and target links for landing pages.
- Run user testing of applications, software and websites.
Director of UX, Digital Marketing & Social Media
Direct Connectix LLC
2002-06 - 2018-09
- Successfully founded and managed local digital marketing /UX services firm.
- Deployed enterprise grade Web & Mobile applications based on HTML5/CSS, JavaScript, Classic ASP & ASP.NET running on Microsoft SQL Server/IIS backend platform.
- Managed multiple resources (offshore i.e.
- Designers, Developers & Project Managers) for large clients in fast paced environment.
- Consistently managed multiple client digital marketing efforts - Including SEO/ Social Media strategy/management, UX Design, website support/operations & rich content creation.
- Delivered professional software solutions consistently, on-time and under budget within highly competitive local market.
- Focused teams on developing innovative and cutting-edge approaches at all levels with effective resource allocation and strategic planning.
Senior UX Designer & Software Engineer
Westwood One
2008-01 - 2009-12
- Development operations & support (HTML/CSS, ASP, SQL, COM and .NET) for proprietary "Broadcast Management System" (BMS).
- User Interface design & construction of 5 internal web based applications.
- Spearheaded daily sessions with Business Analysts, Software Architects and Database Administrators to implement enterprise software solutions based on finite UX Research.
- Conducted extensive user research and delivered low & high fidelity prototypes (includingHTML/CSS/JavaScript source code) to developers on staff.
- Developed technical and business requirements to deliver intuitive and user-centered solutions.
Senior Director of UX & Technology
Ashford.com
1999-06 - 2002-12
- Created 3-tier software development environment to accommodate website redesign while still remaining open (online) for business; Established company-wide process to support weekly product/catalog launches.
- Completed total redesign with zero downtime and or disruption in online store sales & availability.
- Launched proprietary extranet system with custom e-commerce features; Developed an industry leading & revolutionary solution in the Corporate Gifting industry.
- Won bid for Hilton of Americas "Honors" 2002 Holiday Program, generating $5 million in sales.
- Successfully completed two major "comprehensive" website redesigns (UX & infrastructure);Managed and integrated acquired digital properties & seamlessly merge functionality into existing platform.
- Personally coded 50% of original "frontend" system architecture using HTML,CSS, JavaScript, and Classic ASP.
- Recruited, Hired and managed 50+ IT professionals (both individual contributors and management) in fast paced environment.
- Aligned department vision, goals and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
Manager, Interactive Design, Systems & Support
Internet America Inc. (PDQ.NET)
1999-03 - 1999-06
- Managed design, development & production for major ISP's "customer facing" web content(including digital video).
- Executed application design/support of web-based internal & external customer systems.
- Defined & executed “corporate” business strategy for online customer engagement.
- Designed and developed second generation corporate website.
- Implemented robust web-based reporting tools supporting the entire portfolio of digital properties.
- Increased non-subscriber based revenue by 150% in first 2 months of employ.
Manager, Web Design & Customer Experience
Compaq - North America
1994-09 - 1997-12
- Managed HTML/CSS/Classic ASP Application development team of (6).
- Designed hardware/software infrastructure to support high-traffic e-commerce website.
- Assisted in definition and "core" strategy of customer interaction/experience.
- Coordinated project engagement with leading Interactive design firms.
- Tested and reviewed various e-commerce products from major software vendors.
- Drafted comprehensive technical documentation on UX research efforts (for management).
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
- Controlled costs and optimized spending via restructuring of budgets for labor, capital assets, inventory purchasing and technology upgrades.
Education
Art Institute of Houston
1992-05 - 1994-12
Skills
UX Research
HTML CSS
Adobe XD
Photoshop
JavaScript
.NET
ZOOM
MS Office
SQL Server
Proven Leadership
Team Focused
Articulate
Determination
NET
ASP.NET
Adobe Creative Suite
Photoshop
Agile
Application design
Application development
Articulate
Classic ASP
COM+ (VB6)
Competitive analysis
CSS
E-commerce
UX Design
HTML5
IIS
Interactive Design
Leadership
Digital Marketing
Software development
Microsoft SQL Server
User Interface design
VB Script
InVision
Web Design
Website Management
Web Content Marketing
Web application development
Agile Workflow
Website optimization
Technical Analysis
UX Performance Analysis
UX Documentation
Certification
UX/UI Bootcamp - Rice University (Completion Dec 2020) (06/2020 - Present)
Entrepreneur Essentials - Harvard Business School (2020)
Becoming an Entrepreneur - MIT (2020)
Javascript Development - General Assembly (2020)
Additional Information
- Online Portfolio - https://www.chadmills713.com
- Work Sample - https://www.thumbjamz.com
Timeline
Senior UX Designer
Thumbjamz Entertainment LLC
2018-10 - Current
Senior UX Designer & Software Engineer
Westwood One
2008-01 - 2009-12
Director of UX, Digital Marketing & Social Media
Direct Connectix LLC
2002-06 - 2018-09
Senior Director of UX & Technology
Ashford.com
1999-06 - 2002-12
Manager, Interactive Design, Systems & Support
Internet America Inc. (PDQ.NET)
1999-03 - 1999-06
Manager, Web Design & Customer Experience
Compaq - North America
1994-09 - 1997-12
Art Institute of Houston
1992-05 - 1994-12
Javascript Development - General Assembly (2020)
Becoming an Entrepreneur - MIT (2020)
Entrepreneur Essentials - Harvard Business School (2020)
UX/UI Bootcamp - Rice University (Completion Dec 2020) (06/2020 - Present)