Ken Skistimas
Summary
With over 13 years of experience in the field of interactive design including experience working as a designer at startups, small companies, publicly traded companies as well as freelance, Ken offers a cross-section of skills that is hard to come by today. His special areas of expertise include graphic design, user interface design, usability, typography, color theory and interface architecture. In addition he has an understanding of technical issues not often considered by most visually-oriented designers.
Employment History
november 2008 to present Rhapsody America, San Francisco, CASenior User Experience Designer
- Collaborate closely with the product team in a redesign effort to align user experience, customer and business goals.
- Provide ongoing design and supporting research for Rhapsody’s mobile applicaitons (iPhone, Android, Blackberry).
- Design and develop wireframes and prototypes to be used for demos, user testing and specifications.
- Oversee a user research program to gather input and test product ideas with current and new subscribers.
- Work jointly with visual designers to define Rhapsody’s visual brand language and incorporate it into products.
Lead Visual Designer
- Participated in cross-functional teams to update, improve, create and develop features primarily related to sellers.
- Developed standard symbols, iconography and interaction patterns for use on eBay core site.
- Acted as a technical liason between the design team and product development team.
- Supported and mentored other visual design team members.
- Contributed to several grass roots projects including the original release of the eBay iPhone application.
Lead Visual Designer
- Spinoff company from Applied Minds.
- Responsible for all visual aspects of the product including graphic design, page layout and iconography.
- Developed new product features and revisions based on user feedback.
- Implemented changes directly to product using HTML and CSS using proprietary server and middle tier software.
- Collaborated closely with the product manager, interaction designer, developers and VP of product development.
Designer
- Designed, mocked up and specified forward-looking software applications for various Government clients and contractors.
- Produced storyboards and feature walk-through presentations.
- Worked closely with the Lead Scientist, Program Director, Information Designer and the Engineering Team to develop new ways of interacting with and displaying large amounts of data.
- Directed other graphic artists and animation programmers in their work and integrated their material into the product development flow.
Principal
- Consult with clients regarding various aspects of graphic, online design and user interface design.
- Provide architecture, layouts, style guidelines and final code for web sites.
- Manage projects within budget and time constraints.
- Clients include various Bay Area technology companies.
Senior Web Designer
- Consult with clients regarding various aspects of graphic, online design and user interface design.
- Provide architecture, layouts, style guidelines and final code for web sites.
- Manage projects within budget and time constraints.
- Clients include various technology companies including Applied Minds and Nokia.
Graphic Designer
- Constructed comprehensive layouts and UI based on product and business specifications written by product managers.
- Implemented feedback from various corporate departments, focus groups and usability testing.
- Collaborated with page developers and product team to implement designs in HTML and Cold Fusion.
- Assisted with product development, market validation, and feature development in early stages of the company.
- Oversaw entire graphic production and page design process.
Education
1993 to 1997 University of North Texas- Communication Design Major
- Radio, Television, Video and Film
- Member of "Fineline", a student run design firm.
Distinctions
may 2004
US Patent 20050268250
Apparatus and method for selecting actions for visually associated files and applications.
august 2003
US Patent 20050049986
Visual representation tool for structured arguments.