VETERAN VISUAL DESIGNER
OJAI CALIFORNIA

My Background

My Background

Overview

I'm Bert, a designer living in and working from Ojai, California.

Professionally

I am a multi-disciplinary designer—digital and print—with over 30 years of experience. I use artificial intelligence (AI) in my design process to accelerate and enhance my ability at achieving positive business and user outcomes.

My portfolio demonstrates my expertise in creating innovative solutions that are user-centered and focused on business results.

I excel in all areas of the design process, from user research to presentations, and I am passionate about creating visually appealing and functional designs.

As a collaborative problem solver and team member, I aim to deliver world-class design deliverables that cater to business needs and user outcomes.

My Objectives

Always keep learning and sharing while working amongst established colleagues and new talent. Learning and growing are always rewarding. Asking questions of colleagues when stuck is how you move forward. Problem-solving and contributing on the micro and macro level is essential to me.

Technologically Speaking

I graduated from college the same year the Internet was turned on, 1991. I began working professionally as a designer in 1992 as an advertising artist, and I officially was online in 1993. In 1994 I started hand coding my first HTML pages, and view-source was your friend. My first digital design project was in 1996. I'm self-taught, as everyone from that era was. I feel fortunate to have experienced the early Internet before patterns, titles, and 'rules.' I've ridden every wave and fad, been through the bubbles and back — I love technology.

Education

Education

Bachelor of Science, Computer and Information Science

Bachelor of Art, Fine Arts

Both from Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York.

Toolkit

Toolkit

Adobe Creative Suite
Figma
Brackets — Handcode HTML, CSS, JS, React
Sourcetree — Version Control
Transmit — SFTP, WebDAV, Cloud

Skills

Skills

User Experience Design

User Interface Design

UX Research & Analysis

Programming — HTML, CSS, Javascript

Design Systems Development

Wireframes & Prototypes

Project Management

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Marketing & Branding

Documentation

Presentations

Print Design

Data & Analytics

Coaching & Mentoring

Postings

Postings

Experience & Interface Designer

HamiltonBerchman LLC

Ojai, California

Jun 2005 — The present moment

I have executed numerous successful online projects such as websites, mobile & desktop applications, email campaigns, branding, and marketing initiatives that made a measurable impact. My clients are from various industries, including; advertising, education, editorial, medical, legal, science, technology, and automotive. I design compelling solutions focused on solving business problems. I have extensive experience leading remote meetings with teams and clients worldwide for the past fifteen years.

Senior User Experience Designer

Hatch Early Learning, Inc.

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA (REMOTE)

Nov 2022 — May 2023

As a senior designer inside a product team, my primary focus was solving problems between screens and people. Core to this is finding and defining the business or user outcome you’re targeting. I established a design system, a suite of user personas, redesigned onboarding, and helped kick off a new product initiative. I used artificial intelligence to help with research and ideation which became a work accelerator.

User Experience &
User Interface Designer

Art+Logic Inc.

Pasadena, California (REMOTE)

Jun 2016 — Apr 2022

For six years, I helped clients materialize their software ideas. I collaborated with remote teams of 1-16 people, ensuring the timely delivery of projects. I was the solo designer on many projects and my discovery & prototype work was instrumental in securing large scale projects. My experience at Art+Logic improved my skills in producing deliverables on schedule, running remote meetings, presenting to executives and clients worldwide. 

Senior Web & Email Designer

AGIA

Carpinteria, California

Oct 2013 — Sep 2015

I improved user experience and conversion rates by designing more intelligent and responsive digital marketing campaigns. I customized emails with custom programming to dynamically change the email based on user behavior, delivering relevant content and increasing engagement by more than 25%. I used A/B and multivariate testing, and design iteration to measure and improve performance.

Web Design & Web Development Director

Journalism Accelerator

Portland, Oregon (Remote)

Jun 2012 — Dec 2013

As a web strategist, designer, and developer, I assisted the Journalism Accelerator (JA) project in creating engaging discussions among various communities to explore innovative and sustainable models for journalism. The website I worked on for JA was one of the most technically advanced WordPress sites I had ever encountered.

Director of Internet Strategy & Services

AIGA Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

Jan 2007 — Mar 2010

I was involved in web design, development, and strategic consulting for the local Santa Barbara chapter of the national AIGA organization. As a founding member, I helped establish the Santa Barbara AIGA chapter.

Creative Director

Dennison+Wolfe

Ojai, California

Jan 2009 — Dec 2011

I founded Dennison+Wolfe with a friend to assist small businesses in leveraging their networks. Our focus was on creating custom websites and page templates using WordPress as our base, with a specialization in Non-Profits, Law Firms, and Restaurants. I oversaw all aspects of creative direction, design, and production of Dennison+Wolfe branding and communications, as well as website design and custom development work.

Director of Communications

The Thacher School

Ojai, California

Feb 1999 — Jun 2005

As Director of Communications, I oversaw the design of all institutional communications, both print and web, for Admissions, Alumni + Development, and Administrative offices. The deliverables included the monthly magazine, website, and other periodic communications. I also led the design efforts for The Campaign for Thacher, the school's first-ever $80 million Capital Campaign. In addition to my role as Creative Director, I served as a Faculty Advisor to the student yearbook, El Archivero, for five years. During this time, I mentored students in graphic design, typography, photography, and internet skills.

Director of Production, Network & Systems Manager & Web Developer

Jensen Design Associates, Inc.

Long Beach, California

May 1996 — Feb 1999

JDA is a graphic design firm specializing in providing clients with design, branding, and product positioning services. Their notable clients include Canon USA, Los Angeles Cardiology Associates, Robeks Juice, and Philharmonica Society of Orange County. During my time at JDA, I was responsible for developing and managing online business solutions for clients and overseeing the company's online presence. Additionally, I managed and maintained the computer network, handled digital archives and backup systems, and provided guidance on technology acquisitions and investments. I also established and implemented pre-press processes and production standards to ensure top-quality work, which printers admired and sought after—I did this before software solutions were available.

Production Designer & Information Systems Manager

Lakeshore Learning Materials

Carson, California

Sep 1994 — May 1996

Lakeshore is a creator of innovative learning materials and top-quality educational products. I was primarily responsible for designing and producing various collateral materials for the former KCET Store of Knowledge, which Lakeshore owned. I designed and created catalog materials for Lakeshore and implemented and maintained a backup system for networked computers.

Art Director

On the Boulevard Publishing

Studio City, California

Sep 1994 — May 1996

As a part of On the Boulevard Publishing, I oversaw the production of local arts and entertainment magazines for Santa Monica, Pasadena, West Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley. Alongside my staff member, I directed, designed, and produced four monthly publications, which amounted to over 120 pages of editorial and advertising content. My design responsibilities included layout and cover design for each magazine and creating advertising designs for our clients, primarily restaurants, retail boutiques, and playhouses. Additionally, I was responsible for managing all digital pre-press and post-production operations, organizing and archiving our digital media systems, and providing management and guidance to the art staff.

Graphic Designer

J.R. Navarro & Associates

Los Angeles, California

May 1994 — Aug 1994

J.R. Navarro is an advertising and marketing agency that has served clients such as Oldsmobile, Pacific Theaters, Petersen Automotive Museum, and Al Brooks Tickets. I was responsible for designing and producing various printed materials, including corporate collateral and advertising. I worked with clients in the automotive, entertainment, and customer service industries and took projects from concept to camera-ready artwork.

Advertising Artist

The Times Union,
Capital Newspapers,
Hearst Publishing Company

Albany, New York

Jun 1992 — May 1994

I provided creative print solutions to 40 sales representatives' clientele. My design services included art direction, concept development, layout, typesetting, illustration, image manipulation, color separation, mechanical production, and proofing of various advertising campaigns, special section covers, promotions, public service announcements, and corporate identities. To achieve a digitally produced news publication, I participated in a first-of-its-kind system integration with Macintosh, SII-66, and AGFA Colorscape systems. The integration involved technical training, testing, debugging, and implementation, which put our organization at the forefront of newspaper publishing systems at the time.

Advertising Artist

The Record,
Troy Publishing Company

Troy, New York

Dec 1991 — Jun 1992

I worked for "The Record," a newspaper in the New York capital district area, where I provided design and production services for advertisements. I created camera-ready art and illustrations for display and classified ads and designed special section tabloid covers for holidays and events. This work was pre-digital; I was cutting rubylith and specifying typography for a typesetter to implement.

Other Bits

Other Bits…

Clutch Top Creative Design Agencies

Los Angeles — 2018

I had my work acknowledged as part of the Art+Logic design team.

Clutch Top Graphic Designers

Los Angeles — 2018

I had my work acknowledged as part of the Art+Logic design team.

American Web Design Awards

2012

My work on a website for Access Communications received a design award from Graphic Design USA.

Do you have any questions regarding my background?

Have any questions about my experience?

Have any questions about my experience?

Please feel free to contact me using any of the options provided below. Thank you.

Connect with me using one of the options below; thanks!

CONTACT

© MMXXIII

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