BRIAN KNUDSON Seattle, WA
Phone: (425) 591-3970
Email:
[email protected]
Summary of Attributes
Summary of Skills
✔ Inventing, imagining, and innovating.
✔ Tech savvy: XML HTML, CSS, and some coding
✔ Gathering and evaluating in data.
✔ Productivity software: MS Office, Lotus Notes
✔ Strategic problem solving.
✔ Design: Adobe CS5, Maya, Visio
✔ Organizing and prioritizing tasks and projects.
✔ Collaboration: Sharepoint, Perforce, Google Docs
✔ Communication, presentation, and leadership.
✔ Usability testing practices and methodologies
✔ Empathizing with future users/customers.
✔ Language Fluency: Spanish (speak/read/write)
FORMAL EDUCATION University of Washington - Masters in User Centered Design and Engineering Formally 'Technical Communications', the program emphasized Usability Testing & UX Design. Brigham Young University – Bachelors in Philosophy Studies emphasized logic, linguistics, cognition and game theory. Also earned a minor in biology. BYU - Web Development Certificate Formal training in HTML, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver and other web technologies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SANDSTORM PRODUCTIONS - Lead Experience Designer (2010-Present) Designed mechanics, prototyped a 2 lines of board and card games. Wrote, edited and tested rules, ran focus groups, usability, and play tests for five published titles and a host of others yet to be released. Demoed games at trade shows, wrote copy and created sales collateral for games. CLOSET NERD GAMES - President/Game Designer (2004-2010) Designed mechanics and prototyped a line of board and card games. Ran focus groups, usability, and play tests for published titles. Sold the company to Sandstorm Productions LLC. IBM – Information Developer (Jun 2009 – May 2011) Produced and updated documentation for IBM Optim Distributed and zOS products. Worked to improve the clarity and usability of error messages and documentation of known issues. ZIPPER INTERACTIVE - Game Design Intern (Jul 2008- Oct 2008) Collaborated across disciplines on design aspects of two PS3 games: MAG and SOCOM4. Proposed, wrote specs and designed three levels that will be included in an upcoming AAA title. Worked with engineers to enhance usability and data collection. Tested and bugged persistence issues. MICROSOFT – Project Manager (May 2008 – July 2008) Managed coordination between various teams in the Venture Integration team. Tracked progress of and helped and troubleshoot shipping of network components for assimilating new MS acquisitions. Procured large orders for international offices through multiple vendors. AT&T WIRELESS – Project Coordinator (August 2007 – May 2008) Managed the implementation of 3G network technology equipment for over 400 cell tower sites. Tracked progress of helped motivate contractors to reach construction milestone deadlines. Scheduled and coordinated construction windows for overnight work done on cell sites. Coordinated purchasing, invoicing and financial logistics for over $40 million in services. VIZX LABS/VISCOTEK - Technical Account Manager (May 2005 – June 2007) Sales and management of software subscriptions and capitol scientific equipment to research labs of biochemical, industrial, and academic institutions. Point of contact for user input on future product development. Key role in developing marketing strategies, and restructuring processes. Also held positions as: Researcher in a Biophysics laboratory, General Manager of a Ski Lodge, ESL/ Literacy teacher at the Utah State Prison, Property Manager, Screenwriter, Door to door Salesman, Media/Art Computer Lab manager, LDS Missionary, and more!
