Contents
Background
Thanks for visiting! My name is Evan, and I was born in Walnut Creek, California. I spent my childhood years there. We moved to Northwest Indiana when I was 6, about an hour from downtown Chicago. I focused more on things that interested me and tried to learn about a variety of different subjects since it was far more of a rural atmosphere.
When I was young, I wanted to work in a variety of disciplines. I attended Indiana University, hoping that it would help set my sights on a particular career path. I ended up pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Informatics and Telecommunications.
Immediately following my undergraduate career, I pursued a Master's degree in the interdisciplinary field of Human-Computer Interaction Design. I enjoy designing mobile environments with a rich, data driven, information exchange that has compelling aesthetics and tacit interactions. This data rich atmosphere led to an interest in e-commerce. I've developed many business plans by iterating on established e-commerce environments.
Interaction Design
Interaction design is an integral part of any digital system. It's imperative that systems provide affordances to help users determine an appropriate course of action.
My philosophy is that simplicity generally provides an intuitive and elegant solution. Artistic aesthetics can be nice, but real design principles are derived through simple relationships and elementary metaphors.
User Experience Design
User experience refers to an application of design principles that are centered on the user's needs and desires in order to foster a cohesive experience. This experience includes all aspects of the device in order to build upon a holistic understanding of its functionality.
There are many methods to discovering insights that would help to generate an experientially pleasing environment, my favorite of which is ethnography. Understanding the user’s cultural identity is key in formulating powerful insight to guide your contextual design process.
Mobile Application Design
Future use of interactive digital devices will be used on the fly, not from the desk. Mobile computing is the most recent paradigm in the way that people use technology; the transition hasn't fully taken place. There is more room for defining new concepts that will shape the new paradigm.
I enjoy exploring mediums where users are able to interact with each other. The interactions I am most interested in are those that take place in a social, commercial or educational setting via mobile devices.
Information Architecture
An intuitive flow of information is vital to the usability of any application, website or digital portal. Classification is important and may not always be straight forward. Intuitive flow from a user's perspective demands user involvement at an atomic level.
Good architecture design is derived through the foreseen core users that will operate within the environment most. Translating insight gathered from those users will help to create a product that has both good design and natural navigational flows.
Extracurricular
Besides technology and design, I participate in a number of activities. I enjoy exercise -- playing basketball, baseball, soccer, football and volleyball. I find that it is easy to draw inspiration and motivation when participating with a team; I also love working in teams and enjoy being a vocal leader.
I am involved with different conferences and educational programs. I have presented at major UX conferences and have taught college courses. I enjoy the intimate connection shared by students and teachers -- in either capacity.
I am a creative person. I can't stand idly by and watch, I need to be involved and acknowledged.