PDF

Sarah J. Anderson

PROFILE

  • Self-motivated, detail-orientated Web Designer who has worked in both agency and freelance environments for the past twelve years, designing for the Web, print, and other media.
  • Experienced with the design and implementation of e-commerce and other database-driven Web sites.
  • Can code X/HTML from scratch and integrate Style Sheets, JavaScript and PHP.
  • Can create table-less layouts using CSS, while using W3C compliant code.
  • As a freelancer, am able to multi-task and work on all areas of development, from the early design phase and site architecture planning, to the final publishing and browser testing of the site.
  • Able to combine design skills with programming knowledge to create Web sites that are user-friendly while being visually appealing.

WORK EXPERIENCE

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR - Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL
Freelance Designer/Web Programmer, January 2002 to Present
  • On The Rise - For the past three years, have worked as a freelance designer for the Massachusetts-based non-profit organization, On The Rise, creating various materials including brochures, invitations, letterhead, a mailing-insert, and an email newsletter template.
  • Baby Koo (baby-koo.com) - Worked as a freelancer to design the entire e-commerce storefront of Baby Koo, retailer of healthy, eco-friendly baby products. Created the site using the PHP shopping cart software, CS-Cart. Heavily modified the CS-Cart templates and added custom modifications to work within the design. Created graphics for individual pages to enhance the visual experience of customers. Created a print style sheet to remove extraneous elements for printing. Installed a message board using phpBB, creating a custom template to visually match the main site.
  • Hanson Dodge Creative - Hired as an independent contractor by the Milwaukee-based design firm to code the front end of the e-commerce site OneWorld Yellow Pages. Used PhotoShop files supplied by client to create a table-less layout for the site, incorporating JavaScript, while ensuring the site looked consistent among all browsers and platforms. Added content to the site using supplied Word documents, keeping in contact with project managers and lead designer while making numerous changes.
  • Persona Jewelry (personajewelry.com) - Worked as a freelance designer in charge of updating the e-commerce Web site for Persona Jewelry, a Boston-based jewelry boutique. Designed online promotional graphics, as well as printed mailing materials for in-store sales. Created and implemented graphics to enhance the existing storefront template. Added new sections to the site, including a mailing list and feedback form.
  • Hans Molzberger Portfolio (hans-molzberger.de) – Designed and programmed site for mixed-media artist, Hans Molzberger. Site contains a Flash gallery and PHP-based feedback form.
  • Musician Web Sites (peteroyloe.com, sheilaswift.com) - Designed and programmed sites for up and coming musicians to promote their work and talent. Sites included PHP image galleries and news sections, which could be updated remotely by the clients.
  • Official Gavin DeGraw Fan Site (gavindegraw.us) - Currently own and maintain the official fan site for platinum-selling recording artist Gavin DeGraw. In charge of updating the site with news, tour updates, video and music downloads, as well as content supplied by fans. On occasion, worked with Gavin’s manager and record label, Sony, in the updating of site material.
  • Versant, Inc. - Programmed numerous Web sites using X/HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Also worked on a regular basis to update bus routes and accompanying files on the Milwaukee County Transit System Web site. Followed a series of steps, which involved the use of Quark, Excel, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop to create the finished HTML documents and accompanying images. Caught and fixed errors made by others during previous route updates.
VERSANT, INC. - Milwaukee, WI
Interactive Designer, May 2000 to August 2001
Intern in the Interactive Department, January 2000 to May 2000
  • Worked closely with Project Managers and Senior Art Directors to develop creative concepts and graphic content for major Web sites, including sites for Bank Mutual and The Thomson Corporation, that met and exceeded the objectives of the project.
  • Converted Photoshop layouts into working Web sites using front end programming.
  • Helped design images and program a CD-ROM project using Director.
  • Reviewed and tested sites on multiple browsers and platforms prior to launch, making code adjustments as necessary.
  • Created banner ads, PowerPoint and Outlook backgrounds, worked on online research projects.
  • Wrote META tags and carried out Search Engine strategies for submitting Web sites, helping to drive in greater site traffic.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts, May 2000
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Major: Graphic Design

Online Web Courses:
Introduction to JavaScript at eClasses.org, June 2008
Introduction to PHP and MySQL at Ed2go.com, November 2008
Introduction to Flash at Ed2go.com, November 2009

COMPUTER SKILLS

Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro, ImageReady, basic Flash, Visio, FrontPage, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, FTP programs.

Programming: HTML, XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets, JavaScript and some PHP.

Experience in the implementation and customization of: CS-Cart, WordPress, Blogger, vBulletin, Invision Board, phpBB, Coppermine Photo Gallery, PHPlist, Constant Contact and MailChimp.

PORTFOLIO

Online portfolio of Web and print design work located at www.sjadesign.com