Portfolio
Website Redesign
A proposed redesign for a webpage for a local theater, built in Figma.
I based the design on conducted user-centered research about the target demographic, created personas, and asked unrelated volunteers to card-sort topics navigate the current site. The results were then incorporated into a wireframe prototype that curated the user journey to buy tickets and find show information in one convenient place.
Previously, plays and special events were on different webpages under different navigation categories, which makes it difficult to find complete offerings. The proposed redesign fixes this by displaying them simultaneously on one page.
I kept the brand’s colors (magenta and purple) and fonts to keep the organization’s identity.
Show names are prominent, and a “Buy Tickets” button included on the show page next to each show makes it easier for readers to quickly accomplish their most likely task when visiting a “Shows and Events” page.
Workflow Processes
UX Research, Cognitive Walkthroughs, Personas, Usability Testing, Wireframes, Interactive Prototyping, Web Design, Interactive Design, User Experience Design
Forum Design
Website design for a collaborative fictional writing community forum. Forum features are designed based on user feedback, trend analysis, and competitive information architecture — such as including quick links to commonly used resources. I also designed the navigation bar to follow the user as they scroll down the webpage, so that important user settings are easily accessible. The information architecture is structured to have the prerequisite info available first that will help users understand the forum’s purpose, followed by the sections where that users will spend the most hours.
I wrote creative copy for all content across the forum, using words and language to immerse the reader in a fictional fantasy world while remaining concise. Additionally, I selected dark colors and specific type faces to invoke a fantasy, Victorian Gothic vibe to fit the site’s fictional world setting. Links have hover effects to indicate intractable elements. Certain statistics that are not heavily utilized by the intended audience are hidden on view, and display on hover.
Workflow Processes
Content Strategizing, Information Architecture, UX Research, Copywriting, Web Design, Interactive Design, User Experience Design, UI Design
Trifold Brochure
A trifold brochure design for CMU’s English Department. I collaborated with my team to write and draft all content. I interviewed stakeholders, researched the targeted audience, and analyzed marketing trends. Then, I drafted the content and layout of the brochure. After revising with my team and with oversight from our supervisor, we settled on this design.
The department building welcomes students on the front page, while the department stairs symbolizes the journey students will take for their careers. Headers are bold, impactful statements to engage readers and emphasize important info. I also included a QR code to make it easy for readers to access the department website.
Workflow Processes
UX Research, Copywriting, Market Research, Trend Analysis, Stakeholder Interviews, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
App User Guide
This document was designed and written after validating through usability testing and checking for accessibility via Acrobat’s built-in tools. Key features for accessibility in this document include high contrast typography, alt text for screenshots, and easy-to-understand language focusing on actions.
The high contrast typography to provide info for low technical-skilled users or people with disabilities who find a simpler document easier to navigate.
Through usability testing, users encountered issues regarding “inbound” and “outbound” in menu choices. The app UI didn’t include additional info to help users make this choice, so the document included definitions within the relevant step.
Workflow Processes
Usability Testing, User Research, Accessibility Testing, Software Documentation
Info Booklet
Created in InDesign, I designed this for a client who wanted to present research to a specialist audience with intermediate knowledge about ecology.
The guiding design language was “real world, real impacts”. This was based on successful communication pieces of the genre, specifically NatGeo magazines and WWF ads. Using real photos was critical to making simulated research more tangible to the reader.
I also suggested visualizing data by including graphs to make research more scannable. Unlike a general public audience, this specialist audience would’ve wanted to see data to back up the research, but won’t have time to read the full methodology.
Workflow Processes
User Research, Stakeholder Interviewing, Prototyping, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Info Booklet
This booklet was created in InDesign using information on ready.gov for a class assignment. Existing web content was migrated to a printable document with styles that would be standardized yet easily customizable for any page.
I reorganized info to make it easier to scan in a completed handbook, such as disaster/chapter names being in the same location, using green blocks to section off critical takeaways to attract attention, and bulleting listed info. I also used a mixture of illustration and photos to make it friendly, yet still be able to realistically depict uncommon hazards so users will understand what it looks like.
Workflow Processes
Adobe InDesign
Writing Sample
Taken from an Ansys software features update document. I helped edit this document, and revised to prioritize user actions when describing the new features.
Workflow Processes
Software Documentation, Editing, Version Control
Ansys Engineering Copilot
Discover the Ansys Engineering CopilotTM hub for learning and support, now available in the MechanicalTM application. This AI-powered feature integrates over 50 years of Ansys technical support and engineering expertise, putting it right in the application and accessible within seconds. Activated from the Learning and Support tab, this feature provides a centralized location for the Learning, Forum, and Knowledge resources as well as direct access to Ansys training and the AnsysGPTTM virtual AI assistant. The Ansys Engineering CopilotTM feature is a licensed product available at no additional cost, but it requires the AnsysGPT AI+ license to use.
Mechanical Input File Creation
Enhancements have been made to improve creating input files. The application now implements compact formats to write the CMBLOCK and EBLOCK commands. As a result:
- Generating the input file is now significantly faster. For some larger models, this process can be up to 45% faster than in the previous release.
- The generated file size is dramatically smaller. This is especially true for large models, where the input file size may be up to 67% smaller compared to the previous release.
New Contact Region Types
The Contact Region object has two new options for the Type property:
No Separation, Penetration Only: Prevents the geometries or gap from separating between the contact and target surfaces. The contact is established only when these surfaces are either touching or penetrated.
Bonded, Initial: Models the bonded contact but maintains the contact detection for the initial state throughout the analysis. For a closed initial state, the contact remains attached during the analysis. For an open initial state, contact remains open, even if deformation brings the contact pair close together.
Writing Sample
A social media post from a series of local business highlights. I met with the owner to gather information about her business and her mission statement, then summarized the information into a memorable quote that is true to her voice. I also took the photos included in the social media post.
Workflow Processes
Social Media Writing, Analytics, Content Strategy, Adobe Photoshop
“Hair is tied to the soul of humanity. It’s more than vanity. It connects us all.” – Chelsea Hamm, owner of Array Advanced Hair Care.
✂️ This salon specializes in hair growth and hair loss treatments and recently opened up in one of our neighborhoods, right in Allentown Pittsburgh on 708 E Warrington Ave! Be sure to check them out and schedule an appointment with them soon. Source
Writing Sample
An example of one my newsletters that includes requested information about the local community. I formatted it in Mailchimp, and wrote using a friendly yet informative tone.
Workflow Processes
Newsletter Writing, Analytics
Writing Sample
Another example of newsletter writing that combines a casual, neighborly tone to inform public audiences.
Workflow Processes
Newsletter Writing, Analytics
Writing Sample
Writing was edited to simplify a technical procedure for patients. The original will be unclear to users because of the noun strings, the subject being a non-character, and the main verb being a non-action. Suggested revision fixes these issues by making “diabetic patients” the subject for users to relate to and changing the main verb to “reduce”.
Workflow Processes
Editing
Edited: “Diabetic patients may reduce their blood pressure by applying a renal depressor.”
Original: “Diabetic patient blood pressure reduction may be brought about by renal depressor application.”
Writing Sample
This is a writing sample from a class project to rewrite sections of an employee handbook. Several changes include dividing up the sections, using more informative headers that will be easier for employees to understand when searching through the handbook, and inclusive linguistic changes to avoid confusion.
“Drug Addiction Resources” clarify that the section is for those struggling with addiction, whereas the previous header “Employee Resources” will cause readers to interpret that it may include other benefits such as childcare services for single parents.
I also wrote with people-oriented choices. Using “you” as a subject whenever possible makes the sentences clearer while also giving the employee handbook a more people-oriented feel. Additionally, linguistic choices follow the National Institute for Drug Abuse’s recommended terms to minimize harm.
Workflow Processes
Editing
“DRUG ADDICTION RESOURCES
To assist employees in overcoming addiction, our group medical plan provides treatment benefits as detailed in the Summary Plan Description.
If you are not covered by DAM’s group medical plan, please see the Senior Director of Human Resources. The Senior Director of Human Resources can provide local agencies and resources that may assist you.
DAM encourages anyone struggling with substance use disorder to seek treatment before it affects your health or job. The resources are to help employees deal with substance use disorder in a positive and constructive manner, and employees will not be penalized if they voluntarily seek treatment. However, they will be held to the same standards of conduct and disciplined like other employees.
DRUG POLICIES
DAM reserves the right to drug test employees at its discretion according to federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Certain medicines may affect your job performance. Any prescription or over-the-counter drug may be disclosed to the Senior Director of Human Resources, and employees may be asked to provide proof of need if medication begins to affect their work. Employees who are unable to provide relevant medical documents, or seen misusing or distributing medicine inappropriately may face disciplinary action, which includes termination.”
Writing Sample
Both proclamations were for non-profit community groups while using language conventions typical for the genre that also felt personal. Because the proclamations are given directly to recipients, the writing had to make them feel honored and proud of their achievements by highlighting specific achievements. Additionally, the details in the proclamations were gathered from interviews with recipients and research.
Workflow Processes
Writing, Stakeholder Interviewing
Writing Sample
“It’s GO(at) TIME. Goat Fest is coming tomorrow. Are you ready? 🐐🌳” – Pittsburgh City Council District 3’s X
Workflow Processes
Social Media Writing
Flyer Design
Various flyer designs.
Workflow Processes
Content Strategizing, Copywriting, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Canva
Kelly's Creative Space 