ನಮಸ್ತೆ
My name is Archana Gowda.
Pronounced 'uhr-Cha-na Go-da'
I am a multimedia storyteller, graphic designer & web producer looking for opportunites in UX.
Sanford School
of Public Policy
The school’s website was out of date. There were a slew of interim tweaks and makeshift upgrades. It was time to create something new.
Redesigning the Sanford School of Public Policy website was my first project at a new office. It was easier - and more fun- to go introduce myself and visit with colleagues at each department, institute, and center and understand what they did, how they used the website, and what they wanted the new website to do.
- Overhauled information architecture and cut the number of pages by two-thirds (92 pages to less than 30)
- Conducted over 40+ interviews & surveys to understand pain points and learn about the institution itself
- Made improvements based on my insights acquired through research
Finding stories & creating original content
Video project with dance historian and technologist: Thomas F. DeFrantz
A dance professor from MIT who programmed Xbox Kinects and Arduino chips to track and display movement and manipulate sound and light started his tenure at Duke. Lucky for me, it was my job to meet him and geek out.
I read up on DeFrantz’s work, bought him a coffee, and came up with a project proposal as we talked.
The project is archived, but you can look at the video playlist below or on Youtube.
The project had quick turnaround and shot with an iPhone 4. The quality isn’t the best, but the concept worked. Here, Tommy gives a quick history lesson on the origins of black social dances. (2012)
Years later, I learned the Smithsonian used my project to structure an exhibit at the NMAAHC. Additionally, the Detroit Institute of Art used my project to create a Dance in the Museum exhibit.
Genomics Media Book
Institute for Science Learning, UNC-Chapel Hill
I worked on a standalone media book while employed at an entrepreneurial multimedia thinktank. We designed everything in Flash and 3D and it was...time consuming.
Our team of creators, makers and educators were willing to work together to figure things out and we learned a lot through trial and error.
That was 2004, and while there was MIT OpenCourseware, there wasn't Khan Academy or Coursera, yet. It is pretty interesting to look back and see how far online learning has come. (2003-2006)
About me
I am a Durham, NC-based multimedia designer looking for opportunities in UX Design.
I have 12+ years of experience working in academic, startup & client arenas (resume pdf).
I'm a recovering Startup Weekend Facilitator and have led several events in the USA & Canada. Funny, I used to shy away from public speaking. I have learned being outside of my comfort zone is the best way to grow.
My kitchen is 75% experiment lab, I sketch, paint, sew, and garden. I also read anatomy books for fun and dance a lot.
I love languages and am currently working through learning to read and write the Kannada script.
Contact
Above are just a few select projects.
I have additional work, but felt these projects amplified the skills I would be using most in a UX job.
Drop me a line if you would like to know more about my work.
©2017 gowdapop
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