Over the course of 2017-2018, I had the opportunity to help design a music-centric app for the AppleTV.
I worked with the small and passionate team at TunesMap to create a user experience that lets you "See Your Music™", which helps visualize the context and culture around the music you love.
This was an exciting journey having the chance to design for tvOS. The front-end of the experience was designed in Sketch. I collaborated with our front-end developer using Zeplin to translate design to code.
The app was built to be OS agnostic so that it could be ported over to other platforms with less hassle. This product was launched to the AppleTV App store in the spring of 2018.
In 2016-17 I was involved in several projects for HERE Technologies (a mapping and data location services company) via a contract for the Vancouver-based digital agency, Camp Pacific.
Shown here are a series of conceptual mockups that I produced while working on the redesign of their careers site. We wanted to showcase employees from a selection of their key offices. Our plan was to conduct interviews and produce custom photography. The end result fell a bit short in terms of creating custom photography and unique employee stories. However, we were successful in providing for them a better platform that made the core task of finding open roles easier to find.
Art Director, 2007-2015
Storybird was my first foray in the startup world. It began as a part time endeavour, and in 2012 picked-up to a full time engagement. During my time with Storybird I learned a lot about working in the distributed team environment, and the nature of the startup beast. In the end, this bird left the nest before the story was over.
I was a one man department within the company. I referred to myself as 'The Art Dept.'. I was responsible for the oversight of pretty much everything that was outward facing to our user base. That included our website, our web app (this was the heart and soul of the product), and eventually two iOS apps. I also designed physical print products for our on-demand offerings. One Christmas I also became a small parcel delivery service, and packaged and shipped over 50 customized Heath mugs and high end hot chocolate.
In addition to designing the digital products for Storybird, I also stepped into designing stationery offered through their online marketplace. Shown here are a variety of products that were offered. The photography was all done 'in-house', literally in my house. I turned various parts of my home into a makeshift studio.
I felt that I had got to the point where I was working too much in the synthetic world of pixels. I had become too comfortable in the safe on-screen world of undos, unlimited pixels, infinite canvases, and a full spectrum of color choice. It wasn't a conscious choice to pick–up this new hobby, I came across it simply because I needed a new strap for my watch. I'm curious, and resourceful by nature — these two traits led me to search "How to make your own watch strap" on YouTube. I'm now working away on small projects in my spare time.
It's been a short journey, but I've enjoyed the simple act of drawing templates by hand, cutting them out, and then transferring the markings to the leather. The most satisfaction comes from stiching the leather together (I thought for sure I wouldn't like this part of the process). I'm also highly attracted to the idea that I can make useful things in a relatively short time frame.
About this project:
This past fall I had the opportunity to do some flat lay product photography for a Vancouver based children's wear clothier, Petits Vilains.
The goal was to create a simple two-light setup that could be shot inside the Petits Vilains studio without being too much of an intrusion on the day-to-day operations.
Details:
All images were shot on a Canon 6D with a 50mm f1.4 lens.
Post-processing: Lightroom Classic CC & Photoshop CC 2018.
Styling:
Jessica Ashton
About Petits Vilains:
Petits Vilains is a line of clothing for children ranging from 1 to 7 years of age. The collection is a modern take on timeless silhouettes; each piece feels special but can be worn every day. Designed and made in Vancouver, Canada.
About this project:
This is one of two recent collections that I photographed for Petits Vilains, a Vancouver based children's wear clothier.
The goal was to create a simple two-light setup that could be shot inside the Petits Vilains studio without being too much of an intrusion on the day-to-day operations. These photos are used in conjunction with on-model photography in their online shop.
Details:
All images were shot on a Canon 6D with a 50mm f1.4 lens.
Post-processing: Lightroom Classic CC & Photoshop CC 2018.
Styling:
Jennifer Christie
About Petits Vilains:
Petits Vilains is a line of clothing for children ranging from 1 to 7 years of age. The collection is a modern take on timeless silhouettes; each piece feels special but can be worn every day. Designed and made in Vancouver, Canada.
Design explorations with the Xbox Design Team for the 2nd generation of the Xbox Smartglass App. Roles: Art Direction/UI Design. Year: 2013
Art Director, 2012.
Art Director, 2011.
Art Director, 2012.
Concept and ideation explorations for the Xbox Web team. Role: Art Director/UI Designer. Year: 2012
This project was a proof of concept that involved Xbox along with a number of outside vendors. I worked in the capacity of Art Director and User Interface Designer to help produce a working prototype of this concept. Year: 2012
Shown here is a small cross-section of the work done. This series of screens illustrates how the experience of pairing your phone to the Xbox might happen.
Design explorations done in conjunction with the Bing Search group in Bellevue, WA. and San Francisco, CA. Role: Art Director/UI Designer. Year: 2012.
Concept and ideation exploration for Microsoft Developer Network, better know as MSDN. Role: Art Direction/User Interface Design.
In 2012, I had the opportunity to work with a small and focused team buried deep within the walls of Microsoft on a project that had only a code name at the time. Eventually, that product came to life as Microsof Hololens. Although my time on the project was short-lived due to the complexities of working remotely on such a sensitive project I still felt lucky to have a small part in something that's shifting the landscape of technology and what's possible.
Art Director, 2009-2010.
This series of images was photographed for Heather Braun-Dahl (Dalhaus) for her Fall 2013 collection. I partnered with a good friend (Francis Chan) for this shoot that took place at my home. This work showcases her hand-built porcelain herringbone trays that are colour-dipped on the one side, a beautiful tall grey striped vase, and a matching set of mugs. All of her work is produced in her Vancouver studio.
The screens here we're the final ones that represent the core moments in the app, and what was submitted for use in the App Store.
The purpose of this app was to offer a creative way to pair words with art, and 'share your feels'.
My role on this project was to set the look and feel for the app, design the user interface according to wireframes, and ensure that the user experience was maintained throughout the production process.
