Project Management

From initiation to closure, key components of project management success: setting frequent goals, being able to manage multiple projects and people, and keeping the lines of communication wide open at all times.

Recent projects include:

1. 1.The creation and delivery of a phase-one online branding and identity effort.
   Creating a set of online web standards began with gaining concept approval from Caltech’s president. A survey of my colleagues at peer universities then began, and a consultation with our publications group followed that. The resulting web style guide reference was launched to provide guidance and identity elements to campus web developers.
   
   Next, working with a small team of in-house programmers, contractors and the Campus IT group, a system of web templates was designed and launched. These contain a built-in content management system, dynamic news and information feeds, and hosting. To promote this product, screencasts were made, training sessions offered on campus, and periodic announcements made using pull and push media. The ultimate goal of this initial identity effort has been to put well branded, easily-used tools in the hands of those who would create Caltech websites.
   
   

2. 2.The creation of a Student Life visual display for the President’s Residence.
   This project was a six month collaboration with Campus Archives, photographers, President’s house staff, local fabricators and framers, individual students and campus facilities. The final result was two 10x6 foot mixed media displays, combining archival photography and artifacts with modern black and white portraits of select students and groups. The display’s look and feel was guided by the wife of the president, who wished it to have an elegant, non-museum look, and to be capable of yearly additions and changes.
   

Market Research

Several interesting projects have benefited from preliminary research:

1. 1. A series of student focus groups, held to determine the most effective direction for a new undergraduate admissions website.
   
   

2. 2. A survey of existing science podcast offerings, to explore production of a second  podcast for Caltech. (In addition to our existing radio show and podcast, “The Loh-Down on Science”, which is produced in partnership with a local NPR station and syndicated on over 70 stations world wide.)
   
   

3. 3. A user-centered design process for redesigning Caltech’s homepage. This project, now underway, has two parts: the first is an online questionnaire given to approximately 70 hand-picked stakeholders from 12 audience groups. After analysing the findings, the second part of the process will consist of user testing of wire-frames. This process is intended to provide the most open design process possible, and to allow Caltech’s audiences to provide valuable guidance on homepage content and design.
   

Graphic Design

My graphic design experience is focussed on user experience. I design mainly for online use: websites, user-interfaces, user-friendly skins for data models; title and credit ‘wraps’ for online presentations, and wireframes. Print design includes posters and postcards, greeting cards, advertisements, newsletters, signage, packaging, and promotional items. I’ve also been fortunate enough to work on four public displays in the past two years. One of these is described under “Project Management” above.

Branding and Identity

One of my favorite freelance clients was Columbia University’s Dr. Bernd Schmitt, an internationally-recognized branding ‘guru’ and author.  Working with Schmitt in the 1990s taught me always to think of audience, relevance, and experience. These are themes I’ve carried forward in my later work.

Like many Universities, Caltech came late to the table of branding and identity. I have been privileged to play a substantial part in the Institute’s very recent efforts, working with fellow staffers, administration, and members of Caltech’s Board. My main contribution has been in the formulation and delivery of online branding efforts, which is described above under “Project Management”.

Writing

I began writing at University, submitting articles on University history to our student paper. Now, years on, I  still contribute articles to Higher Ed news (!) albeit mostly online. In addition, I research and write project reports, user surveys, annual reports (for my workgroup), instructional documentation (such as the web style guide), short blurbs and photo captions. Samples of my writing may be found on my writing page.

Because I have a slightly more technical bent than the average creative type, I am well suited to making technology comprehensible for non-technical people; for instance, converting a programmer’s documentation into lay english for novice web application users.

Video Production

I work in all aspects of video production. I shoot much of my own footage, conduct interviews, edit (FinalCutPro), and output for online use. I also know my limitations, and have some trusted vendors who handle steadicam, jib-arm camera work, and audio engineering. A background in music has been invaluable in editing some projects, notably a 10 minute promotional DVD and 6 webcasts for the Caltech Performing and Visual Arts Department, and a series of student life short videos for Caltech Admissions.

Photography

Photography for me is often a means to a graphic design end. However, I have been fortunate enough to be included in some wonderful projects as a photographer—the most interesting of these being an assignment, in China, photographing emerging and traditional markets in Shanghai and Beijing. I also used infrared photography as the basis for a series of book illustrations, (a selection of which appears on my Illustrations page). I shoot specific subjects for web use, including the banners for the Caltech homepage.

Coding

I am comfortable writing my own HTML and CSS, and for years implemented all of my web designs.  I am also capable of finding and adapting pre-written JavaScript and PHP code for incorporation into sites. These days my websites are all data-backed, and developed in RubyOnRails and other environments, and I have skilled programmers who do this heavy lifting! My comfort with coding, and my previous experience as a network administrator, have been vastly helpful over the years in communicating with my tech colleagues.

Management

Over the past 15 years, I’ve managed different types of staff: programmers, graphic designers, a photographer, several tech support specialists, and an administrative assistant. I’ve been the decision maker in several hires, and responsible for salary increases and disciplinary actions. My current managerial oversight includes 3 FTEs, 1 intern, plus a rotating array of contractors, who are brought on board as projects require.

My management style is collaborative. I am a team member, and work alongside the people I supervise. We all have our specialties, and I like to give folks plenty of room to use their imaginations and creativity, while supporting them when they need help. Supporting my staff  has meant sometimes sending them for additional training, occasionally navigating a political environment on their behalf, and twice restructuring a position to allow strengths to emerge.

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