Wendy Cutting

Senior IA/User Interface Designer, Web site Engagement | May 2007 - Present
Work includes managing the architecture and design for the public facing web site. My primary responsibility is to develop interactive creative strategies that align with the goals of the business, technology and the end user. My roll in identifying the user needs through research and extensive knowledge of the portal technology has pushed the company into new ways of thinking. I am engaging team members to develop a WordPress site to host and manage timely communications that are currently happening via the print channel. This will ultimately save the company over 1 million in printing and mailing fees annually. This strategy will be faster, cheaper and better than any content platform the company currently offers agents and members.

Accomplishments
Over the past 10 months I’ve developed, and designed the user experience for all of our direct-to-consumer online applications. I am also launching a tool that will allow the user to select a plan that aligns with their needs. My work also includes the re-architecture and redesign of the new BlueCross MN web site.

Site Experience Design Manager, Interactive Marketing |12/06 - 06/08
Direct and manage internal designers, freelancers, and vendors in all aspects of integrated online site strategy and design initiatives. Ameriprise is a industry leader and pioneer in financial planning and insurance products. My roll is supporting both the ameriprise.com and riversource.com with creative development and decision to effectively reach consumer markets and deliver an on-line experience that attracts and retains new and existing clients. Agile teams built to design and deploy new strategy based on metrics based fact finding. Teamed with an IA, content strategist and business analyst to develop creative briefs, functional specs and project objectives.

Accomplishments
Lead the effort to develop the companies first Site Experience team within Interactive Marketing. Implemented new interactive marketing strategies with a focus on expanding Ameriprise and RiverSource new business offerings. Strategy integration into broader client campaigns, effectively reaching targets, and delivering greater results on a local level. Lead the creation of the Ameriprise Brand 2.0 campaign used to educate prospective clients on the importance of retirement planning. This was been selected as an “Official Honoree” in the Financial Services category for the 2008 Webby Awards.

Senior Interactive Designer | 4/05 - 12/06
Directed, designed and executed Web sites, on-line seminars, email marketing, rich media, multimedia, banner advertisements and other integrated interactive initiatives. Directed photographers, illustrators, designers and vendors. Extensive site experience work – including the design and direction of Westlaw Business and SEC Currents. Created a interactive workflow process for the interactive team to produce work faster and better than they had previously been doing.

Accomplishments
Worked with the Westlaw platform to develop the new business initiative for SEC Currents and Westlaw Business. Worked directly with programmers to design client-side interface. Directed and designed fully Flash-based promotional presentations showcasing West’s sales and business offerings. Directed photographers, model and vocal talent, musicians, and Flash developers. Scripted much of the Flash due to complexity of the presentation and tight time constraints. Presentations distributed via the web and sales presentations both nationally and internationally. Collaborated with creative team on the development of new corporate online strategy for FindLaw. Created and documented standards across multiple interactive media, assuring consistency for all future marketing initiatives. All interactive projects aligned with print, Web, corporate, and corporate initiatives. Spearheaded the creative implementation of a fully functional asset management system used within the West Marketing Group. Designed versioning and security measures to accommodate user needs based on permissions. The development and concept of this idea is still being utilized today for creative staff to share work with business clients outside of the Thomson West firewall http://www.westagencyreview.com.

Interactive Art Director | 9/03-4/05
Creative strategy and concepting, client presentations, and art direction at integrated direct marketing agency specializing in high technology and financial services clients. Managed Interactive design group, oversaw departmental issues and spearheaded initiatives. Client portfolio included: American Express, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Chrysler and Overhead Door.

Accomplishments
Directed and designed an integrated media promotion for American Express Financial Advisors. The promotion consisted of video and multimedia presentations, banner advertising, email campaigns, and direct mail. Result was a 36% increase in online enrollment. Prepared and presented creative portion of client proposal for new business that ultimately won an account for the variable data and fulfillment distribution business. Directed the creation of Cenveo.com an national enterprise level business. Designed the asset management system used by clients to offer sales force access to regulated and timely content.

Interactive Art Director | 1997-2003
Creative team leader for the americanexpress/financialadvisors.com web site (Web 1.0). I developed the site structure as well as creative with one other designer. We worked with the technology group to create the templates and content that they managed with Microsoft Visual InterDev. Our group owned the content and updates to this site.

Accomplishments
Launched a corporate size web site that provided users a basic understanding of the Financial Planning business.

Interactive Designer | 1995-1997
Worked with two local agencies to develop the creative and development plans for the piperjaffray.com internet and intranet. This work was very new to the business and developing a creative direction was just one part in what drove this project to it’s success. I collaborated with a technology consultant and content writers.

Accomplishments
Launched both the companies first professional corporate intranet and internet web sites.