Upendo Tookas

5234 Scenery Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

724.243.8333 ||upendodesign.com

Professional Overview

Experienced VISUAL DESIGNER/DEVELOPER for web,with a focus on UI and UX. Provenability to complete the design and development of web projects – from the initial discovery meeting to launch of the live product. Promotes the utilization of rapid prototyping with an iteration process involving user feedback early and often.

Technical Skills

HTML5, XHTML, CSS3, jQuery, Responsive Mobile-First Design, Magento CMS, Eloqua, Shopify, Wordpress, Javascript, Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Bootstrap, WriteMaps, Omnigraffle, Balsamiq Mockups, InDesign, Typography.

Contracted Visual Design/Development | 2008 – Present

Tobii Dynavox | August 2014 - Present

  • Design, development and deployment of automated marketing email campaigns
  • Design, development of web assets and pages

Hillel Jewish University Center | September 2009 - Present

  • Discovery meetings with client to gather relevant information and goals
  • Design and development of responsive website using jQuery and custom XHTML, CSS

The Savvy Group | May 2008 - Present

  • Discovery meetings with clients to gather relevant information and goals
  • Design and development of responsive website using jQuery and custom XHTML, CSS

Gluten Free Zone | August 2014

  • Discovery meetings with client to gather relevant information and goals
  • Presentation of suggested platform and functionality
  • Design and development of responsive, mobile-first design e-commerce site using Shopify, jQuery and custom XHTML, CSS

Test Weapon | August 2013

  • Discovery meetings with client to gather relevant information and goals
  • Designed app icon set to iOS and Android specs using illustrator
  • Designed and developed video player UI using Illustrator, XHTML, CSS

YMCA | July 2010

  • Creative lead for collateral supporting capital campaign to build the SAMPSON FAMILY YMCA
  • Produced design, layout and theme of campaign collateral using Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
  • Produced final collateral as interactive PDF, as well as print piece

Hillel JUC | May 2010 – Present

  • Design and development of UI elements for the promotion of special events and activities for hillelJUC.org, using Photoshop, Illustrator, XHTML, CSS and jQuery
  • Quick turnaround of web project requests from various departments
  • Utilization of user-centered principles to optimize the user experience on hillelJUC.org
  • Regular creative refreshes on the site

PadTech (Norway) | March 2010

  • Production ofwebsite information architecture based on creative briefings and discovery meeting, using Illustrator
  • Design and development of marketing site, using Photoshop, Illustrator, XHTML, CSS and jQuery
  • Design of product packaging mock-up, used for client presentation to investors

Plum Creek Cemetery | July 2010

  • Production of website information architecture based on creative briefings and discovery meeting
  • Production of wireframes for client review and feedback
  • Design and development of marketing site, using Photoshop, Illustrator, XHTML, CSS and jQuery
  • Design and development of interactive infographic/map to visually communicate information to users, using Photoshop, XHTML and CSS

Brandywine Kitchen | September 2008 - Present

  • Design and development of marketing site, using Photoshop, Illustrator, XHTML, CSS and jQuery
  • Embedding of company’s Facebook feed into marketing website to extend social media reach
  • Design and development of online menu utilizing a jQuery slider for a unique and elegant user experience
  • Regular creative refreshes on the site

Professional Experience

Tobii DynaVox | Front End Designer/Developer | November 2010 –August 2014,

November 2014 – Present (Contract)

  • Design and development of UI elements with a focus on facilitating user interaction as well as maximizing conversion goals, utilizing XHTML, CSS, jQuery, Photoshop, Illustrator, Google Analytics
  • Lead visual designer / developer implementing regular creative content refreshes within the multiple web properties of dynavoxtech.com and mayer-johnson.com utilizing XHTML, CSS, jQuery, Photoshop, Illustrator
  • Design and development of digital marketing campaign assets utilizing XHTML, CSS, jQuery, Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks
  • Creative direction, design and development of digital marketing campaign products targeting specific user groups and market segments

The Savvy Group | Director of Digital Media Design | May 2008 – October 2010, October 2014 – Present.

  • Creative lead for numerous client projects across diverse industries
  • Execution of all web design and development
  • Information gathering at client discovery meetings

Odwalla Inc | Route Sales Representative | December 1999 – May 2008

  • Developed relationships with department managers to optimizein-store consumer experience with brand/products
  • Represented brand to clients and consumers
  • First-hand experience in the field - managing the way consumers interact with the brand and respond to POS materials
  • Coordinated in-store promotions to develop consumer engagement with the brand

Education

Morehouse College | Atlanta, GA

  • Bachelor of Arts, Mixed-Media Design
  • Graduated Cum Laude