The Website of Kai Conragan

Summary

Experience

1. Senior Web Designer at MetaWeb, Inc

   2008 - Present

   Senior Web Designer working on http://freebase.com

2. Web Consultant

   2007-2008

   Consulted on design, usability, web-standards compliance, and content-management integration for several large, multi-faceted websites. Projects include:

   • The design and development of a CMS Management System for Bell Sports, Inc. to publish content across several domains. Developed a streamlined information architecture and robust admin interface that enables administrators to manage complex data relationships including product literature, sponsored athlete profiles, multi-formatted video segments, and more. Designed http://bellbmx.com and integrated with completed CMS.

   • Custom-built e-commerce site for Dani Bath, Inc., for product and inventory management for use by administrators. Project included front-end redesign for enhanced site usability, increased product visibility, and streamlined purchasing.

3. Sabatical

   2006-2007

   One year traveling through Asia. Highlights include tea trekking in China, volunteering as a Divemaster in Borneo, organizing reef clean-up projects in the Philippines, surfing in Indonesia, and street-food in Thailand. Trip was documented in stories and photos at http://somedaynevercomes.com.

4. Co-Founder & Creative Director at Crux Studio

   2002-2006

   Founding Partner in a design and marketing firm specializing in developing integrated advertising & marketing campaigns for high-profile outdoor sports clients. Designed and developed all variations of dynamic websites including e-commerce storefronts, custom content management systems, and intranet education tools. Designed engaging brand-orientated user interfaces to support national branding campaigns. Performed traditional art direction and design of printed advertisements, brochures, and catalogs. Lead photographer for advertising photo shoots with numerous professional athletes throughout the United States. Clients served include:

   • Specialized Bicycle Components
   • Maxxis International
   • Cheng Shin Tires Ind. Co.,Ltd
   • Fox Racing
   • FTC Skateboarding
   • SFO Snowboarding
   • Ricor Racing Shocks

5. Web Designer at McAfee (formerly Network Associates)

   1999-2002

   Key member of web team that was responsible for consolidating numerous separate domains containing over 10,000 pages of unique content into a singular and highly functional online identity for Network Associates. Designed front-page real-time virus alert graphics under highly compressed deadlines for extremely high-traffic website. Also led Search Engine Optimization efforts to provide consistent top 10 results for targeted key words in major engines including Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo!.

6. Contractor at Oracle

   1998-1999

   Produced digital video segments for use in multimedia demos and sales tools for entire Oracle product line. Developed training manual and in-house program to educate Oracle employees on proper usage of digital media lab.

Skills

• Adobe Creative Suite (Including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Flash)
• CSS
• Django
• HTML
• Information Architecture
• JavaScript
• PHP
• Photo-retouching
• Photo-compositing
• Python
• Ruby on Rails
• Usability
• User-interface Design
• Web Standards

Education

1. Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Arts w/ emphasis in Graphic Design

   San Francisco State University | 2000-2002

   Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Awarded valedictorian of Industrial Arts college. Maintained 4.0 G.P.A in field of study and 3.9 G.P.A overall.