User Experience Design and Information Architecture: Manage web teams and projects effectively by providing creative, strategic, and tactical direction; by coordinating closely with teams and stakeholders; and by mapping progress and dependencies. Direct and perform user research using a variety of techniques and resources: interviews, surveys, focus groups, usability testing, personas, competitive analyses, call center reports, and site analytics. Evaluate web site usability, advising web teams and clients on improvements to site design, content, and functionality. Write style guides detailing site standards. Demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of diagramming and graphics software (Visio, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and other programs for PC and Mac), as well as functional knowledge of web programming and databases. Am an organized and creative person skillful at communicating with creative and technical teams, with stakeholders, and with customers. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, worked for nine years in marketing and advertising and for nine years on web teams. Content Strategy and Writing: Conduct content inventories for large web sites, performing analyses and making recommendations for improving, managing, and augmenting site content. Specialize in helping clients and subject-matter experts optimize written and graphic content. Develop and articulate successful strategies for maintaining and evolving web sites. Wrote a comprehensive plan for redesigning the National Association of Realtors site and played a leading role in the creation of the web team.
Create designs and deliverables for large, complex web sites: site maps, wireframes, concept models, task flows, use cases, and clickable prototypes. Sites include the Library of Congress, the US Department of Health and Human Services intranet, the American Institute of Architects, the National Association of Realtors, Marriott.com, and the IMF/World Bank Library Network. See www.megpeters.com/samples.html for samples.
Write effective web content that fulfills user needs and supports business goals: content may be informative, instructional, and/or promotional. Have more than six years of full-time writing and editing experience.
American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC (2008-Present): Director, User Experience (2009); Independent Contractor (2008)
CACI International, Arlington, VA (2006-07): Information Engineer (Library of Congress Contract)
Marriott International, Bethesda, MD (2005-06): Senior Content Strategist (2006), Senior Information Architect (2005)
Aquilent, Laurel, MD (2004-05): Senior Information Architect and User Researcher (US Department of Health and Human Services and US Postal Service Contracts)
National Association of Realtors, Washington, DC (2002-04): Information Architect (2003-04), Content Editor (2002-03)
Iconixx, Bethesda, MD (2001-02): Information Architect (After Iconixx closed its Bethesda office, I was hired by a client, the National Association of Realtors.)
Maden Tech Consulting, Inc., Arlington, VA (1999-2000): Web Designer/Information Architect
The Washington Post, Washington, DC (1991-98): Copywriter (1994-1998), Graphic Designer (1991-94)
Promisloff Casem, Inc., Rockville, MD (1989-91): Graphic Designer
Goucher College, Washington, DC (2009)
Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation, GPA 4.0
(Courses were held at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.)
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI (1989)
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, GPA 3.717
Brown University, Providence, RI (1987, 1989)
Liberal arts electives, including an English course
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA (Summer 1987)
Liberal arts electives, including a psychology course and a sociology course
View information architecture and usability conferences and courses.
Created the information architecture for the top-level redesign of the American Institute of Architects web site (AIA.org), which was designated a 2009 Webby Official Honoree.
Produced CAD measured drawing for historic preservation graduate program project that tied for third place in the 2008 Charles E. Peterson Prize Competition.
Received the Standard of Excellence Award from the Web Marketing Association in 2002 for design of the Council of Residential Specialists web site.
Was awarded the Iconixx Employee of the Quarter Award for work on the redesign of the National Association of Realtors web site.
Had two articles published on boxesandarrows.com, an information architecture site: Guiding Principles for Providing “Remember Me” Personalization and Moving from Flatland to Hyperspace: The "Evolution of a Mindset".
Served as subject-matter expert for Thom Haller's (principal of Info.Design) second edition of Information Architecture for the World Wide Web.
Co-founded DCIA (DC Information Architects), an information architecture networking group that has grown to more than 400 members.