live copy

LAURA RUSSELL

Tel:  (323) 255-8129
Cell:  (323) 839-3809
Email:  laura@larussellweb.com

OBJECTIVE

Creative, accomplished, and conscientious web designer seeks new opportunity.

STENGTHS & SKILLS

  • Proficient in Photoshop, HTML & XHTML, CSS1 & 2, and Microsoft Office. Strong in Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Fireworks, Visio, CVS, and basic UNIX commands. JavaScript friendly. Exposure to Perl and Mason Scripts, PHP, Java Server Pages, and general server and database issues.
  • Expertise in information architecture and user-centered design.
  • Strong conceptual knowledge of website development and management, from design to technically focused aspects.

    Superior time management skills with the ability to work independently or as a team.
  • A driven work ethic complimented by strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Helped reduce Snap.com downloading speed by approximately 60%.
  • Reduced Snap home and search pages by 38K.
  • Established Web 2.0 Standards at Snap.
  • Continually delivered assignments under aggressive deadlines at Snap.
  • Revitalized Evite.com invitation design gallery to user and management requests within 3 months of initially being hired.
  • Redesigned Evite.com twice.
  • Designed hundreds of Citysearch small business websites.
  • Created and maintained the interdepartmental Citysearch Photo Library while performing normal daily duties.
  • Trained new designers in Citysearch systems and Photoshop.
  • Co-developed and defined the start-up Citysearch Updates Team.
  • Earned Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
  • Earned Associate in Arts in Cinema Production.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

HTML DEVELOPER & WEB DESIGNER:
  (May 2003 - present)
Freelance

HTML DEVELOPER/DESIGNER:
  (Aug. 2004 - March 2008)
Snap.com at Idealab

WEB DESIGNER:
  (Aug. 2002 - May 2003)
Evite - Los Angeles, CA
Manager - John Foley

WEB DESIGNER:
  (March 2000 - Feb. 2002)
Citysearch Media Team - Pasadena, CA
Manager - Michael Hirsch

WEB DESIGNER:
  (Jan. 1999 - March 2000)
Citysearch Operations and Partner Team - Pasadena, CA
Managers - Dana Brail and Holly Ann Burns

WEB SITE UPDATER:
  (June 1997 - Jan. 1999)
Citysearch Operations - Pasadena, CA
Manager - Angie Putman

WORK HISTORY

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR:
  (Sept. 1996 - April 1997)
Freelance:
Documentary Productions, Inc. - Venice, CA
Inspirations, a documentary film:
Director - Michael Apted; Producer - Eileen Gregory;
Line Producer - Steven Wren

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:
  (Jan. - Aug. 1996)
Various Freelance - Los Angeles, CA
Spidercom Films (music videos for Sleeper and Afrika-Islam);
RSA - USA Productions (ESPN golf commercial with Burt Reynolds, McDonald's & Volvo commercials, and a Lita Ford come-back music video);
YMCA industrial video

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT & ASSISTANT COORDINATOR:

(May 1995 - Aug. 1996)
Walt Disney Consumer Products International Marketing - Burbank, CA
Managers - Sara Frank, Pauline Kwan and Judi Osaka

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:
  (Nov. 1992 - April 1995)
Bank of America Commercial Real Estate - Los Angeles, CA
Manager - Tom Leahy

PRODUCTION SECRETARY:
  (April - Sept. 1992)
Freelance:  Von Zerneck-Sertner Films: Lady Boss TV Movie - Studio City, CA
Director - Charles Jarrot; Producer - Steve McGlothan

EDUCATION

Pasadena City College:  Graphic Arts and Digital Media, currently enrolled

Los Angeles City College:  A.A., Cinema Production, 1996

Indiana University:  B.A., English Literature, Theater & Psychology Minors, 1990