TRENT SHERRELL, Information Architect / Social Media Strategist
7418 Brookside Drive, Hanover Park, IL 60133
Mobile: 847.372.2522
Email: trent@tSherrell.com
XeeSM.com/tSherrell

BIO

Trent Sherrell is an expert in human-centered IA [Information Architecture] and UX [User Experience] design. Possessing a formidable background in graphic/information design, marketing, teaching, and video & photography production, Trent employs a multi-disciplined approach to best organize and deliver content with keen focus on the final objective: the removal of barriers to bring communicator and target audience closer. A film aficionado, Trent currently pursues additional education in screenwriting while researching and writing about methods to leverage classical storytelling structure, techniques, and character development to better deliver content online. To find Trent online, check out: http://xeeSM.com/TrentSherrell.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

IAI [Information Architecture Institute]
IxDA [Interaction Design Association]
AIGA [American Institute for Graphic Arts / Chicago chapter]
IFP [Independent Feature Project / Chicago chapter]

EXPERIENCE

Sr. Information Architect | Fusion92
Privately held, interactive marketing company in Arlington Heights, IL
January 2008-July 2009 (1 year, 7 months)

- Performed lead role in research and design efforts in order to link business and financial objectives with good design aesthetics and outstanding user experience
- Developed strategies and design specifications that improved performance, usability and effectiveness of customer facing interfaces
- Created wireframes, site maps, schematics, process maps, feature lists, mockups, visual specifications, working prototypes and other artifacts to describe intended user experiences
- Acted as customer/user advocate while strategically finding ways to achieve business goals
- Increased production proficiency while reducing cost by working in tandem with project managers and clientele to efficiently discover and deliver strategic recommendations before the development cycle

Performed IA for the following clientele:
- Audelssa Vineyard and Winery: micro-site and email blast campaign created to sell shares in property
- Cisco: retool of intranet calendar and scheduling tool migrated to CMS [content management system] for ease of management
- Georgia Technical University: micro-site creation, main web presence clean-up, and organic SEO [search engine optimization] aimed to increase enrollment in Executive MBA program
- Jones Dairy Farm: website and e-commerce clean-up to increase brand awareness as well as online sales
- Omron Industrial Automation / Americas: total content and e-commerce re-organization effort with focus on the reduction of confusion as well as steps to find and order products
- Performance Trust: update of user interface to bring instructional tool to current usability standards
- Revere Group: in-depth analysis of all aspects of the company-s web presence including IA/UX recommendations
- Sears: strategic planing and execution of social media marketing around Black Friday sales initiative

Manager, Creative Services | Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
Publicly traded, paper manufacturing and packaging company in Westmont, IL
May 2001-June 2007 (6 years, 1 month)

- As Marketing Department Creative Director, maximized profit margins with a strong commitment to research methods informing the design process
- Successfully designed, produced and launched corporate, knowledge sharing library
- Managed all visual design marketing efforts for Smurfit-Stone-s Container Division including: video, photography, print, and trade-show endeavors
- Successfully course-corrected department by improving deliverable standards and thereby redirecting marketing expenditures in-house
- Implemented divisional program to reduce paper and ink use in marketing literature with online, digital library

Interface Designer | theSauce.com
Internet B2B start-up focused on independent restauranteurs in Chicago, IL
June 2000-December 2000 (6 months)

- Recruited to provide cognitive and navigational design expertise for company-s principal site
- Worked with Chief Architect to develop successful information design communication pieces for investors, customers and upper management
- Designed and produced advertising and various marketing materials for online and print distribution

Instructor of Visual Communications  |  OK State University
Mid-sized educational institution in Okmulgee, OK
April 1999-June 2000 (1 year, 2 months)

- Developed and taught curriculum in advanced multimedia methodologies, interface design, graphic design and typography
- Member of visual communications enrollment committee - interviewing and overseeing acceptance for perspective students into the program of study

Creative Director | Plant and Associates
Small marketing and design firm on Tulsa, OK
June 1997-April 1999 (1 year, 10 months)

- Design team leader with creative and budget approval responsibility
- Hired new staff and tripled the size of the design department
- Three time ADDY award winner in Tulsa, OK
- Successfully increased productivity and clientele satisfaction by increasing department's productivity and establishing research-based design procedures

EDUCATION

Academy of Art University
BFA Motion Picture - Screenwriting Emphasis
2006-2010 (expected)

Oklahoma Sate University
Associate Degree in Applied Science, Graphic Design Technology
1987-1999


Professional recommendations available at: www.linkedin.com/in/tsherrell