Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Additional Information
Timeline
Manager
Chad D. Mills

Chad D. Mills

(UX) User Experience Designer & Researcher
Houston,TX

Summary

Dynamic User Experience Designer & Web Developer certified in Design from accredited institutions. Innovative and creative professional bringing 20+ years of experience developing wireframes, sitemaps, schematics and working prototypes (including producing HTML/CSS source code). Recognized for actively interacting with clients to best accommodate customer needs and meet identified objectives.

Overview

4
4
Certifications
3
3
years of post-secondary education
27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior UX Designer

Thumbjamz Entertainment LLC
Houston, Texas
10.2018 - Current
  • Founded leading edge SaaS platform: Provide core strategy, vision and leadership. Increased interest from investors
  • Design and develop "responsive" SaaS platform (using Atomic Design principles) within 6 months
  • Produce functional wire frames and prototypes (i.e. Adobe XD, Invision, etc.) for investors & partners during ongoing fundraising efforts.
  • Conduct extensive market/user research & analysis using proven UX methodologies (i.e User Interviews, Competitive analysis & Empathy mapping).
  • Design UI elements and tools such as navigation menus, search boxes, tabs and widgets for digital assets.
  • Complete user research to identify opportunities for improving web presence.
  • Test UI elements such as banners, page layouts, page designs and target links for landing pages.
  • Run user testing of applications, software and websites.

Director of UX, Digital Marketing & Social Media

Direct Connectix LLC
Houston, Texas
06.2002 - 09.2018
  • Successfully founded and managed local digital marketing /UX services firm.
  • Deployed enterprise grade Web & Mobile applications based on HTML5/CSS, JavaScript, Classic ASP & ASP.NET running on Microsoft SQL Server/IIS backend platform.
  • Managed multiple resources (offshore i.e.
  • Designers, Developers & Project Managers) for large clients in fast paced environment.
  • Consistently managed multiple client digital marketing efforts - Including SEO/ Social Media strategy/management, UX Design, website support/operations & rich content creation.
  • Delivered professional software solutions consistently, on-time and under budget within highly competitive local market.
  • Focused teams on developing innovative and cutting-edge approaches at all levels with effective resource allocation and strategic planning.

Senior UX Designer & Software Engineer

Westwood One
Houston, Texas
01.2008 - 12.2009
  • Development operations & support (HTML/CSS, ASP, SQL, COM and .NET) for proprietary "Broadcast Management System" (BMS).
  • User Interface design & construction of 5 internal web based applications.
  • Spearheaded daily sessions with Business Analysts, Software Architects and Database Administrators to implement enterprise software solutions based on finite UX Research.
  • Conducted extensive user research and delivered low & high fidelity prototypes (includingHTML/CSS/JavaScript source code) to developers on staff.
  • Developed technical and business requirements to deliver intuitive and user-centered solutions.

Senior Director of UX & Technology

Ashford.com
Houston, Texas
06.1999 - 12.2002
  • Created 3-tier software development environment to accommodate website redesign while still remaining open (online) for business; Established company-wide process to support weekly product/catalog launches.
  • Completed total redesign with zero downtime and or disruption in online store sales & availability.
  • Launched proprietary extranet system with custom e-commerce features; Developed an industry leading & revolutionary solution in the Corporate Gifting industry.
  • Won bid for Hilton of Americas "Honors" 2002 Holiday Program, generating $5 million in sales.
  • Successfully completed two major "comprehensive" website redesigns (UX & infrastructure);Managed and integrated acquired digital properties & seamlessly merge functionality into existing platform.
  • Personally coded 50% of original "frontend" system architecture using HTML,CSS, JavaScript, and Classic ASP.
  • Recruited, Hired and managed 50+ IT professionals (both individual contributors and management) in fast paced environment.
  • Aligned department vision, goals and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.

Manager, Interactive Design, Systems & Support

Internet America Inc. (PDQ.NET)
Houston, Texas
03.1999 - 06.1999
  • Managed design, development & production for major ISP's "customer facing" web content(including digital video).
  • Executed application design/support of web-based internal & external customer systems.
  • Defined & executed “corporate” business strategy for online customer engagement.
  • Designed and developed second generation corporate website.
  • Implemented robust web-based reporting tools supporting the entire portfolio of digital properties.
  • Increased non-subscriber based revenue by 150% in first 2 months of employ.

Manager, Web Design & Customer Experience

Compaq - North America
Houston, Texas
09.1994 - 12.1997
  • Managed HTML/CSS/Classic ASP Application development team of (6).
  • Designed hardware/software infrastructure to support high-traffic e-commerce website.
  • Assisted in definition and "core" strategy of customer interaction/experience.
  • Coordinated project engagement with leading Interactive design firms.
  • Tested and reviewed various e-commerce products from major software vendors.
  • Drafted comprehensive technical documentation on UX research efforts (for management).
  • Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
  • Controlled costs and optimized spending via restructuring of budgets for labor, capital assets, inventory purchasing and technology upgrades.

Education

Art Institute of Houston
Houston, TX
05.1992 - 12.1994

Skills

UX Strategy

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Certification

UX/UI Bootcamp - Rice University (Completion Dec 2020) (06/2020 - Present)

Additional Information

  • Online Portfolio - https://www.chadmills713.com
  • Work Sample - https://www.thumbjamz.com

Timeline

Senior UX Designer

Thumbjamz Entertainment LLC
10.2018 - Current

Senior UX Designer & Software Engineer

Westwood One
01.2008 - 12.2009

Director of UX, Digital Marketing & Social Media

Direct Connectix LLC
06.2002 - 09.2018

Senior Director of UX & Technology

Ashford.com
06.1999 - 12.2002

Manager, Interactive Design, Systems & Support

Internet America Inc. (PDQ.NET)
03.1999 - 06.1999

Manager, Web Design & Customer Experience

Compaq - North America
09.1994 - 12.1997

Art Institute of Houston
05.1992 - 12.1994
Chad D. Mills(UX) User Experience Designer & Researcher