Comprehensive Resumé

Jacob's design expertise, work experience, education, and more!
This is a comprehensive look at Jacob's career path. Download Jacob's one-page resumé for a concise overview, or view his profile on LinkedIn.

Industry Knowledge and Design Expertise

Jacob is a UX Designer with 2+ years of experience, has a 12-week Product Design course certificate, and has a 4-year B.S. Degree in Visual Communication Design. Jacob also has 10 years of experience as a front-end web developer and as a graphic designer.
User Experience Design
  • Universal design, accessibility, and WCAG standards
  • User experience research (UXR)
  • Defining user needs, problem framing, and hypothesizing
  • Design ideation methodologies
  • Sketching, wireframing, and prototyping designs
  • Defining and conducting user tests
  • Synthesis and interpretation of user testing data
  • User interface (UI) design
  • UI architecture and front-end frameworks
  • Design systems (for the web, Apple’s HIG, and Material Design platforms)
  • Documentation for designers and developers
Visual Design and Branding
  • Typography and page layout
  • Iconography and icon design
  • Color theory and psychology
  • Photography and photo editing
  • Print and editorial design
  • Logo and brand identity
Web Design and Development
  • Front-end web development and responsive web design
  • GDPR and ADA Compliance
Primary Tools and Technologies
CSS
ChatGPT
FigJam
Figma
Firefly
Google Analytics
HTML
Illustrator
InDesign
Miro
Photoshop
SASS
Search Console
Webflow
WordPress

Experience & Education

View Jacob's work history, education, training, awards, recognition, and event appearances.
Work Experience
Education
Accolades
Appearances

UX Designer

Inkling
Aug 2022 – Present
Experience Classification
Full-time
Remote
  • Advocated for users by empathizing with their needs, pain points, and goals, emphasizing core UX principles for product accessibility and user-centric design. Participated in all aspects of the design process, including user research, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Engaged with scrum teams, contributing to backlog grooming, sprint planning, feature demos, and product testing. Regularly collaborated with product managers and engineers to align design efforts with overall user and business goals.
  • Enhanced the UX of printing and exporting content from Inkling, creating hypotheses to validate through user testing. Synthesized research from seven years of feedback to inform design decisions and presented findings at company-wide meetings. Prototyped an updated user interface, documented, and handed it off to engineering for development.
  • Conducted a UX audit for Inkling's Distributed User Admin App (DUAA) product, identifying pain points and redesigning user flows and interfaces for a streamlined experience. 
  • Led a 5-day Design Sprint to address user pain points with the Inkforms product, resulting in the creation of "Workflows."
  • Took ownership of Inkling's product design system for the UX team. Led the revitalization of the design system by addressing poorly crafted assets, underrepresented platforms, and confusing documentation. The newly expanded design system was named the "Inkling Design Ecosystem" as it brought together multiple stand-alone systems for web apps, iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices.
  • Contributed to the Featured Content feature, designing an improved text editing toolbar and error messaging states.
  • Facilitated company rituals including design critiques and UX group discussions. Researched and discussed our shared UX methodologies across the team to enhance design work and practices.

Senior Front End Designer

Inkling
Jun 2021 – Aug 2022
Experience Classification
Full-time
Remote
  • Took on a leadership role by onboarding, training, and mentoring new Front End Designers. Collaborated with fellow designers on best practices for writing SASS, CSS, and HTML code, creating optimal content authoring experiences, and leveraging the design process for maximum advantage.
  • Re-established and improved practices for the Front End Designer role, documenting and iterating on the creative process within the context of customer implementations. Developed boilerplate materials to expedite work and identified opportunities for enhanced collaboration between content strategists, implementation managers, and customers.
  • Collaborated with a content strategist and implementation manager to establish a new internal process for releasing the boilerplate code-base Master Template. Utilizing agile development practices, triaged issues, planned sprints, and tested improvements, resulting in regular releases with enhanced features that reduced implementation timelines, bugs, and content authoring issues.
  • Successfully executed implementations for 5 new enterprise-level clients, involving a comprehensive process of customer interviews, content and design review, creating design mockups, and the development of bespoke WYSIWYG content authoring templates using HTML, CSS, SASS, and other proprietary code.

Front End Designer

Inkling
Nov 2018 – Jun 2021
Experience Classification
Full-time
San Francisco, CA
  • Successfully executed implementations for 10 new enterprise-level clients, involving a comprehensive process of customer interviews, content and design review, creating design mockups, and the development of bespoke WYSIWYG content authoring templates using HTML, CSS, SASS, and other proprietary code.
  • Collaborated with customers by reviewing their content and offering design advice. Assisted customer success managers and the support team by resolving code and user-generated content issues. Supported the sales team by constructing proof of concepts and assets for sales demos.
  • Designed and created an internal website for Inkling's proprietary software. Documentation was versioned alongside new codebase releases.
  • Collaborated with the People & Operations Team to enhance company culture through design projects, including a slide deck and branding for the 2020 Sales Kick-Off event, campaign branding and swag for the 2019 summer hack-a-thon event and memento stickers for promoting social clubs.
  • Led a cross-functional OKR initiative to develop a process for collecting client feedback and elevating it to the product team. Conducted stakeholder interviews, collaborated on research, iterated on documentation, and produced a final book detailing best practices.

Lead Designer/Director of Website Development

OptiRev, LLC
Jun 2018 – Nov 2018
Experience Classification
Full-time
Remote / Santa Rosa, CA
  • Directed website implementation projects, contributing to estimates for Statements of Work (SOWs), creating project plans, and leading check-in meetings. Maintained positive client relationships through regular monthly and quarterly business reviews, utilizing website reports to identify strengths and weaknesses from data. Occasionally assumed additional roles, including front-end designer, content editor, web developer, and tester, to support understaffed positions.
  • Designed and developed a new website for Benbow Historic Inn, utilizing a custom WordPress theme. Notably, within 30 days of launch, the website yielded significant improvements: a 156% increase in pageviews, a 23% improvement in bounce rate, a 50% increase in visitor duration, and a 143% boost in organic search traffic.
  • Developed a new website design for Park Avenue Catering that included a modern design and prioritized visually appealing, accessible content. Included a blog-like section that displayed wedding photography and catering menus for customers of the business.
  • Established a brand identity for author Marcy Carriker Smothers, encompassing a brand mark, color palette, and typography. Migrated Marcy's old blog to a stand-alone WordPress website, which incorporated the new brand identity.
  • Crafted a distinctive graphic for Santa Rosa School District, aimed at boosting morale amongst educators, by applying the design to t-shirts and posters across campus.
  • Designed a new website for The Vine Inn Davis, a hotel undergoing renovations. Created high-fidelity mockups for handoff to a teammate for development.

Visual Designer/Website Specialist

Soiland Company
Mar 2018 – Jun 2023
Experience Classification
Contractor
Remote
  • Designed, developed, and launched a series of interconnected WordPress websites for all five Soiland companies. Implemented a parent-child theme system for cohesive branding while maintaining individuality for each website.
  • Provided ongoing website services including content and design edits, CMS updates, website backups, security measures, and SEO-related work to maintain and optimize each website.

Graphic Designer

Design Working Group
Jan – May 2018
Experience Classification
Internship
San Francisco, CA
  • Engaged in group critiques and participated in collaborative design processes.
  • Worked on projects for different programs on campus at SFSU including wayfinding and signage for the School of Design, editorial journal design for the Department of International Relations, and poster designs for the School of Theatre & Dance.

Company Strategist

OptiRev, LLC
Aug 2016 – Jun 2018
Experience Classification
Full-time
Remote / Santa Rosa, CA
  • Streamlined and implemented new professional services, offering a range of benefits to clients at different pricing tiers. These services encompassed website design, search engine optimization (SEO), digital marketing, and graphic design services.
  • Played a key role in supporting the Executive Team during the business acquisition of Destination Intelligence Software Solutions. Analyzed the proprietary software acquired, contributing to the enhancement of the company's product positioning and brand design.
  • Led a comprehensive redesign of the OptiRev brand, working with a graphic designer and other team members to create a new website, logo, brand system, and marketing materials. 

Web Team Manager

OptiRev, LLC
Jan – Aug 2016
Experience Classification
Full-time
Remote / Santa Rosa, CA
  • Managed a three-person development team, overseeing task assignments and hours to maintain a balanced distributed workload. Collaborated with executive staff to coordinate business development and enhance internal processes. Fostered positive client relationships through regular monthly and quarterly business reviews, utilizing website reports to analyze key data and identify website strategy strengths and weaknesses.
  • Directed website implementation projects, contributing to estimates for Statements of Work (SOWs), creating project plans, and leading check-in meetings. Occasionally assumed additional roles, including front-end designer, content editor, web developer, and tester, to support understaffed positions.
  • Led the successful launch of nine websites for Stay In The Bay, each customized from a central wireframe with unique elements in color, logo, imagery, and content. Ensured design consistency by building each website on WordPress using a child-theme to incorporate distinctive branding elements. Initially launched four websites, subsequently expanding to five additional sites.

Web Developer

OptiRev, LLC
Jun – Dec 2015
Experience Classification
Contractor
Remote / Santa Rosa, CA
  • As a contractor for OptiRev, played a pivotal role in creating fully functional websites including Amsterdam Hostel and Winsor Hotel. Developed WordPress themes utilizing PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, and Bootstrap, closely adhering to design mockups and specifications provided by a graphic designer. Conducted thorough testing to ensure seamless functionality across all devices.
  • Provided ongoing website services including content edits, design changes, search engine optimization, and technical support. Optimized websites using tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console with the focus on content enhancement, increased user sessions, and improved conversion rates. Optimized website performance and security using WordPress plugins and third-party tools.
  • Designed and constructed mobile-friendly email marketing templates using photo editing, HTML and CSS.

Graphic Artist

Soiland Company
Mar 2015 – 2018
Experience Classification
Contractor
Remote
  • Elevated the consistency of company branding and marketing assets by refining designs for business cards and email signatures.

SEO Web Developer

PBHS Inc.
Jan 2012 – Jun 2015
Experience Classification
Part-time
Santa Rosa, CA
  • Provided prompt on-demand website edits for a large customer base, encompassing changes to HTML content, CSS styles, jQuery behavior, photo editing, and transitioning from Flash Media to fluid web page layouts.
  • Crafted fully functional landing pages based on Google AdWords campaign mockups using Bootstrap, HTML, CSS, and jQuery. Actively participated in the SEO department's marketing committee, contributing to monthly campaign reports through strategic planning and copywriting.

Product Support and Trainer

PBHS Inc.
Sep 2011 – Dec 2012
Experience Classification
Full-time
Santa Rosa, CA
  • Delivered comprehensive training sessions to oral surgeons, dentists, and healthcare professionals on the iConsult iPad app. 
  • Provided efficient over-the-phone technical support for customers utilizing our website and patient registration form products. 
  • Took initiative in creating and managing a documentation website for iConsult, featuring clear instructions, usage notes, and troubleshooting guidance.

Graphic Designer/Web Developer

Artstart
Aug 2010 – Sep 2013
Experience Classification
Contractor
Santa Rosa, CA
  • As a designer/developer for Artstart, revamped branding through the design of updated business cards and targeted brochures for prospective clients. Created unique website landing pages for annual auction events, with a photo gallery (using jQuery) and an online ticket purchasing option (via PayPal). 
  • Enhanced website accessibility, load time, and performance by transitioning from Flash Media to modern HTML and CSS technologies.

Junior Graphic Designer

BYU-I Comm Student Media
Apr – Jul 2010
Experience Classification
Internship
Rexburg, ID
  • Served as a graphic designer within a student-run creative agency, actively contributing to the creative process for marketing campaigns and design assets. Conducted research on the impact of social media on business, news, and user interaction. 
  • Designed newsprint ads for local businesses featured in "The Scroll," the student newspaper. Created marketing materials including booklets and brochures for businesses in the local area.

Social Media Coordinator

Artstart
Jul 2009 – Jul 2010
Experience Classification
Contractor
Remote / Santa Rosa, CA
  • As the Social Media Coordinator for Artstart, successfully registered and optimized all social media channels. Maintained an active online presence by creating and curating content and visuals to promote Artstart's work and events.

Apprentice Artist

Artstart
2007 – 2009
Experience Classification
Apprenticeship
Santa Rosa, CA
  • Apprenticed as an artist for three consecutive summers during Artstart's paid internship program. Received hands-on training under professional artists, gaining proficiency in sketching, painting, mural design, and installation. 
  • Assisted with the completion of 3 murals, 12 art installation projects, and restoring 10 art benches citywide. Additionally, independently produced and showcased 5 artworks at the program's annual silent auction fundraising event.

Product Design Course

Dribbble
June 2022
Experience Classification
Certification
Remote
  • Completed a rigorous 12-week Product Design Course from Dribbble. Course material was developed and taught by Jesse Showalter. This comprehensive program delved into industry-standard user experience design practices and covered the entire design process. Topics spanned UX fundamentals, user and market research, user flows, wireframes, visual design, scaling design components and design systems, prototyping, and testing. Weekly group mentoring with seasoned UX professional Ben Balderas who provided industry insights and personalized guidance.
  • Concluded the course with three UX design projects including AeroPet, Vesta, and KanMail.
  • Certificate ID # 1192.

Web Accessibility

Udacity
Dec 2021
Experience Classification
Certification
Remote
  • A self-paced course focused on creating web content that is inclusive and adheres to modern accessibility standards. The course focused on mastering the intricacies of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Key topics covered aspects such as focus and tab order, semantics, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), and accessible style.

Learn UI/UX Design

Dribbble
Mar 2021
Experience Classification
Workshop
Remote
  • Participated in a comprehensive full-day UI/UX Design workshop hosted by Dribbble in March 2021. The workshop, led by Jesse Showalter, covered a range of topics for effective design practices. The curriculum included Figma fundamentals, typographic scales, grids, and layouts, as well as discussions on interactions, animations, prototyping, screen flows, and components.
  • Beyond the creative process, the workshop delved into the practical aspects of design, encompassing client handoff workflows, design documentation, client presentation methods, and the concept of Minimum Viable Products (MVP). The immersive experience provided valuable insights and practical skills for successful UI/UX design in real-world scenarios.

Sketch from A to Z

Udemy
Nov 2019
Experience Classification
Certification
Remote
  • A self-paced course focused on mobile design and prototyping using the Sketch application. The curriculum covered a spectrum of essential topics, including mastering strong mobile app design, advanced techniques, and shortcuts for efficient design, UI design best practices, and designing for various device viewports.
  • The course provided insights into leveraging tools for achieving pixel-perfect design work, exploring shared styles, symbols, and libraries. It also delved into the practical aspects of exporting and handing off assets to developers, emphasizing the critical link between good UI and good UX.
  • Certificate ID # UC-7WMGW3SE.

UX Bootcamp

General Assembly
Aug 2019
Experience Classification
Workshop
San Francisco, CA
  • A one-day bootcamp taught by Jonathan Remulla focusing on a diverse array of topics essential for crafting successful design solutions. The curriculum included in-depth exploration of UX methods and strategies, integrating UX into team workflows, and mastering UX and UI terminology, tips, and resources.
  • Practical skills were honed through hands-on practice with wireframes, prototypes, and usability tests. The workshop fostered a collaborative environment, emphasizing the significance of collaboration and ideation in the UX design process.

Visual Communication Design (BS)

San Francisco State University
May 2018
Experience Classification
Degree
San Francisco, CA
  • Achieved a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Design from San Francisco State University in May 2018. This comprehensive four-year program emphasized the core principles of visual design, covering a spectrum of topics including the design process, visual literacy, graphic design, history of design, rapid visualization, typography, and research and writing for design.
  • Noteworthy achievements include graduating with Honors, earning a place on the Senior Honor Roll for the College of Liberal & Creative Arts in Fall 2017, and maintaining a GPA of 3.81. Actively participated in student societies: INC^3 (tech and startup culture student organization), and the AIGA student chapter (graphic design student organization). Demonstrated leadership skills as the co-founder and Treasurer of the Occult Club at SFSU (interfaith student organization). Engaged in extracurricular programs such as SF Hacks and the URSCA showcase, showcasing a commitment to continuous learning and involvement in the vibrant tech and design community.

Computer Studies: Web Graphic Designer

Santa Rosa Junior College
May 2013
Experience Classification
Certification
Santa Rosa, CA
  • College program devoted to various aspects of website design. The curriculum covered digital page layout, mobile-responsive design, advanced HTML and CSS, and fundamental user-experience concepts.

Computer Studies: HTML Web Content Developer

Santa Rosa Junior College
Dec 2012
Experience Classification
Certification
Santa Rosa, CA
  • College program devoted to various aspects of web development. The curriculum spanned the history of the web, understanding file types, formatting and marking up content, image optimization for the web, and hands-on coding with HTML and CSS. Practical skills were honed in publishing pages and content on the web, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the web development process.

Winning Team “360º Image Widget”

Inkling
March 2022
Experience Classification
Award
Remote
  • Received recognition as part of the winning team for the 360º Image Widget project at Inkling's company hackathon event. This innovative project won four of five categories which include: “Ease of Development” by the VP of Engineering for its potential quick and low-effort development; “Most Demo-able” by the Director of Sales Enablement for its potential for impactful sales demonstrations; “Best Sales Impact” by an Account Executive for its positive impact on sales strategy; “Best Market/PR Buzz” by Product Marketing for its potential to generate noteworthy PR attention.

Employee Recognition “Stretch” Award

Inkling
Sep 2019
Experience Classification
Award
San Francisco, CA
  • Employee recognition for going the extra mile presented at Inkling’s 10-Year Anniversary.

1st Place “GreenThumbs App”

San Francisco State University
Nov 2017
Experience Classification
Award
San Francisco, CA
  • A competition between Graduate Writing and Research students. I presented my project GreenThumbs.

1st Place “Social Shape Interspace”

Major League Hackathon
Mar 2017
Experience Classification
Award
San Francisco, CA)
  • With only 24 hours on the clock our team created the Social Shape Interspace video game. The competition was organized by the SF Hacks student organization at San Francisco State University, and among the 200 competing students our team secured 1st place in two categories which include: "Best Hack to Reduce Online Harassment" for a solution that addresses the issues of online harassment; "Best Beginner" for students who are inexperienced with hackathons.

Eagle Scout Award

Boy Scouts of America
Jun 2006
Experience Classification
Award
Santa Rosa, CA
  • Attained the prestigious Eagle Scout Award in June 2006 from the Boy Scouts of America, marking the highest rank within the organization. The achievement reflects not only a commitment to personal growth and leadership but also a dedication to community service.
  • As a part of the Eagle Scout project, demonstrated leadership by planning and overseeing the construction of weather-resistant benches for Roseland Elementary School in Santa Rosa, CA. A bench prototype was designed and tested before a dozen benches were then installed to enhance the outdoor spaces on the school campus.

User Conference Presenter

Inkling Illuminate User Conference
Oct 2022
Experience Classification
Presenter/Speaker
Las Vegas, NV
  • Delivered a 30-minute presentation titled "Habitat Pattern Customization" at the Illuminate user conference in Las Vegas, NV, hosted by Inkling. Shared insights into lesser-known features of the Inkling product and demonstrated effective ways to utilize them for expediting content design and development processes.

What Jacob's Colleagues are Saying

Jacob is very detail oriented and focused. He has an innate ability to manage projects and employees in a kind and thoughtful manner. He communicates thoroughly and respectfully. I highly recommend him in any type of position, especially one in management.
Sara Ysunza
Sara Ysunza
Colleague to Jacob at OptiRev

Are You Hiring?

If your company is looking to hire a Product Designer then Jacob would be interested in hearing from you!
Message Jacob on LinkedInDownload Resumé (PDF)