Web Site and Application Design
SharePoint User Interface Customization and Administration
Web designer with extensive web application design, development, implementation and support experience including Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies and Microsoft Content Management Server 2002.
- Successfully branded and customized the user interface for many SharePoint portals and Windows SharePoint Services sites. Extensive work with site definitions, templates and themes.
- Designed and coded Microsoft Content Management Server templates and user interface and worked extensively with channel and user setup and provided ongoing maintenance.
- Broad range of design skills with strengths in layout, color and usability. Experience with custom designs, corporate branding, photo and graphic editing and print media.
- Experienced in a lead role implementing numerous web sites and applications. Oversaw projects from all stages of site and application creation including requirements definition, design, user interface flow and implementation, taxonomy, development, testing, user acceptance and support.
- Provided help desk support for end users and third tier support for escalated issues. Developed content for user help sites and documentation.
- Conducted online training sessions for SharePoint and MCMS content managers; conducted train the trainer sessions and one-on-one sessions. Mentored other designers and business analysts on administration and support of SharePoint and MCMS.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work with developers and team members to efficiently roll out custom sites and applications. Comfortable with development environments and tool sets.
- Solid leadership and initiative; able to coordinate and assist with all phases of a project while successfully meeting task deliverable dates and project goals.
- Contribute regularly to the online SharePoint community via personal blog, newsgroups and mailing lists.
Core Competencies
- End user centric application structure and interface design
- Graphics creation and photograph manipulation
- Web site administration and support
- Technical documentation, end user tutorials and training
- Team leadership and communication
- Product vision and strategy
Technical Proficiencies
| Platforms: | Windows 2000/XP, Windows Server 2003 |
| Languages: | Competent in HTML, CSS; Familiar with JavaScript, C# and VBScript |
| Tools: | Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
Macromedia HomeSite and Captivate
Microsoft Content Management Server 2002
Microsoft FrontPage 2003 and SharePoint Designer
Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007
Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server 2003 and Office SharePoint Server 2007
Microsoft Visual Studio
Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services v2 and v3 |
Professional Experience
Solomon Creative, Inc., Tomball, Texas
February 2007 – Present
President and Lead Designer
Leading an independent consulting firm specializing in SharePoint design, and additionally providing web design, consulting, taxonomy and training services for clients across the United States.
Key contributions:
- Business management and growth of a premier design consultation and consulting firm,
specializing in SharePoint products and technologies.
- Lead designer for client consulting work including branding, user interface customizations, taxonomy and site layout, organization and design.
ShareSquared, Inc., Glendale, California
June 2006 - February 2007
Manager of Knowledge Solutions
Developed and managed a new online training product that was first of its kind in the SharePoint marketplace. Management included vision and concept, original training materials creation and presentation, management of attendees and session schedules and online presence for the training sessions. Additionally served as lead designer for all SharePoint branding and user interface customization projects. Deployed several Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS) sites and developed an intimate working knowledge of SharePoint master pages and styles.
Key contributions:
- Researched, developed and maintained an online training product for SharePoint products and technologies.
- Designed, developed, and maintained the external facing marketing web site for the company.
- Managed and organized all activities for the training department.
- Designed, developed and deployed several MOSS 2007 sites for client intranets.
Fidelity Information Services, Jacksonville, Florida
Formerly known as ALLTEL Information Services, Little Rock, Arkansas
May 1998 – June 2006
Senior Web Designer
Recruited to design and deploy web sites and applications for internal processes and support of 25,000+ global employees. Served as team lead and mentor for web site creators and support staff and as a contributing visionary for company goals and strategies in relationship to online communications and information web sites for employees. Primary designer and provider of daily end user support for SharePoint and Content Management Server sites. Continually responsible for planning, strategizing, audience targeting and working within budget constraints to meet the needs of both the creative and technical sides of a project.
Key contributions:
- Researched, customized and deployed SharePoint Products and Technologies and currently support over 10 portals and over 700 Windows SharePoint Services sites for various divisions within the company.
- Created an original employee intranet for a major division of the company; oversaw and managed the progression of the intranet through multiple revisions with a final import into SharePoint Portal Server 2003.
- Created an original external facing marketing web site for the company; oversaw and managed the progression of the web site through multiple revisions and restructures including converting and currently maintaining the site in Microsoft Content Management Server 2002.
- Developed training materials and conducted training sessions for SharePoint and MCMS for over 200 users.
- Designed and implemented front ends for financial web applications including online banking for retail banks, internal procurement, e-commerce sites and electronic bill presentment and payment.
- Designed and implemented front ends for internal online applications including a call center web application, divisional portal, sales intranet, and a client information repository site. All sites and applications improved the flow of internal information, employee productivity and communications.
- Served as liaison between the clients, business analysts and development team. Integral part of requirements gathering and forming the vision of a web site or application while working to achieve the clients needs and desires.
- Conducted usability tests to further streamline and improve end user experience for web sites and applications.
e-CommLink, Inc., Houston, Texas
December 1996 – May 1998
Graphic Designer, Web Designer
Designed and organized all print materials and online web presences for an online banking solutions company. Worked closely with product developers to improve product functionality and with clients to produce customized versions of the online banking product. Responsible for all stages of the print production process, including concept and layout development, graphic/photo production, 4-color process, press checks and coordination with print house, tight deadlines and art direction.
Key contributions:
- Designed and implemented the front end for an online banking application for retail banks.
- Custom tailored online banking product installations to match and coordinate with the client’s corporate identity and branding.
- Created and maintained the sales demonstration web site for the online banking product.
- Designed all company collateral including brochures, folders, leave behinds, duratrans, invitations, mailing labels, posters, clothing, and promotional giveaways.
- Designed all company advertisements for magazines and industry publications.
- Designed and maintained the external facing marketing site.
J. Walter Thompson Specialized Communications, Houston, Texas
August 1997 – November 1997
Graphic Designer
Provided the design and layout for job recruitment advertisements and product catalogs for a variety of clients. Worked closely with account managers and under the direction of art and creative directors. Worked under tight turn around times and met strict deadlines.
Key contributions:
- Contributed to the organization and design of a retail product catalog.
- Designed job recruitment newspaper advertisements
Education, Credentials and Publications
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Communications, Honors Graduate
The Art Institute of Houston, Houston, Texas
December 1996
Microsoft Most Valued Professional, Windows SharePoint Services
Awarded October 2005 and October 2006
Professional and Personal Blog: www.HeatherSolomon.com/blog
Focused on SharePoint, MCMS, Design, CSS and Usability
May 2005 - Present
Publications - Contributing Author
Developer's Guide to the Windows SharePoint Services v3 Platform
Charles River Media
ISBN: 1584505001
Speaking History: View Online
References and project specific details available upon request