About & Contact

Overview

Senior UI/UX designer for large scale software applications. Over 10 years of experiences in web development, SEO, social media, and digital strategy.

Senior Web Developer specializing in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design. Desarae is responsible for solving complex design and development problems while connecting clients’ to their target audience. It is her job to oversee design, development, and strategic direction for projects or campaigns. She has over 14 years of marketing and brand promotion experience; and 10+ years of design and development experience working for clients like Best Buy, Lawry's, P.B.Loco, Premier Mounts, Proctor and Gamble, National Geographic, 3M, Disney, Vogue, The Occasions Group, and Express Handymen.

Skills

A graduate of Iowa State University with a major in Art and Design and a minor in Military Science, Desarae's greatest asset is her enthusiasm to work and a love for working with advertising, design, new media and affiliates with a broad range of media, marketing, design and selling experience that has given her the opportunity to wear many hats, while developing presentation and collaborative skills.

Skills & Tools

Experience

Prior to Desare’s current position, she held positions as a creative director, senior designer, brand manager, and SEO/social media specialist, and consultant. She has worked in a variety of sectors including digital and advertising agencies, military, government, and corporate. Her previous employers include well-known corporations and agencies like Weber Shandwick, Risdall, CDS Global (A Hearst Company), Fallon, Gage Marketing (A Carlson Company), Starbucks, the Des Moines International Airport, Department of Defense, National Defense Academy, and the United States Army. She has led teams in application development, affiliate marketing, strategic development, ecommerce systems, and digital strategy.

Timeline

Relative experience is highlighted

  • US Marketing and Promotions, Brand Representative
  • Certified County/State Fair Judge
  • Lifeguard
  • Central Campus: Marine Biology, Aviation Technology, Radio Television Broadcasting
  • Cheetah Graffix
  • Volunteering in Iowa
    • Girl Scouts, Student Advisory Board Vice President, Local Chapter President, State Board Member
    • 4H Club VP
    • Future Farmers of America (FFA), National Speaking Competition, National Science Fair Finalist, State Fair Volunteer, Local Chapter Secretary and VP
    • Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute (IAYI) Ambassador
    • World Food Prize Ambassador
    • Various Sports
    • Dexter Roundhouse and Community Planning Committee, volunteered yearly to dress as an elf with my dad (dressed as Santa), planned local festival and other events
    • Just Eliminate Lies (JEL), volunteer
    • Dexter Citizenship Award from Mayor
  • Desoto Airplane Supermarket Golden Circle Air, Intern
  • Des Moines International Airport, Inten
  • U.S. Army Reserves
  • Naval Science Scholarship for Science Fair Project Comparing the Effects of Varying Light on Artemia Salina (Brine Shimp AKA Sea Monkeys)
  • 2004 - Graduated from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) - Associates in Science, Honor Roll, Dean's List
  • 2004 - Graduated from West Central Valley High School
    • Japanese language course
    • 3 Japanese exchange students
  • 2007 - Graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelors in Art and Design, Minor in Military Science
    • U.S. Air Force ROTC
    • U.S. Army ROTC Teacher's Assistant
    • Delta Delta Delta Sorority
    • Senior Portfolio Design Board, Committee Chair
    • Iowa State Design College Senior BFA Exhibition, Co-chair
  • Midwest Flying Services, Lineman
  • Starbucks, Assistant Manager
  • Gage
  • Tile X Design
  • MyFreeEstimates
  • Risdall Marketing, Webby Award
  • Digital Ives
  • August Ash
  • Volunteering in Minnesota
    • MIMA, Membership Committee
    • MIMA, Communication Committee
    • AdFed2, Mentor and Guest Speaker
    • AdFed, Marketing/Programs/Sponsorship Committees (separate years)
    • AdFed Golfaroo Volunteer
    • CoCo Collaborative, Founding Member
    • AIGA
    • AMA, Speaker
    • SMBMSP, Speaker and Volunteer
    • Ignite Minneapolis
    • Ignite Columbus
    • Ohio Growth Summit, Panel Speaker
    • Art Buddies
    • Grip Mentor
    • Coding Meetup
    • Twin Cities Social Media Underground Society, Co-Founder
    • Lyndale Neighborhood Association
    • Young Professionals
  • Agency Couture
    • Weber Shandwick, SEO and Social Media Consultant
    • Double Douce Bar, Graphic Designer
    • Fallon, Social Media Marketing Consultant
    • Carmichael Lynch, Design Consultant
    • Trinity Effect, Designer and Project Manager
    • Dr. Michael Kulick, SEO and Design Consultant
    • Cool River Ranch
    • Schazlein Saddle Shop
    • Catalyst Studios
    • Russell Herder
    • Best Buy
    • OpenAir
    • Olson
    • Jackson's Coffee and Gelato
    • Team ENT. - Bacardi, Grey Goose, 41 Below, Corzo
    • Fast Horse
    • Sniki Wiki, Commissioned by the National Defense Academy and Department of Defense
    • Downtown Resource Group
  • Volunteering in Washington
    • Georgettes
    • George Farmer's Market Volunteer
    • Community Computer Education Instructor
    • George Community Hall Board Member
  • Live Nation
  • CDS Global, Designer, Agency Forrester Groundswell Award
  • Volunteering in Iowa
    • TechBrew
    • SXSW (Austin, TX), Volunteer
    • Silicon Prairie Meetup
    • UX Meetups
    • Program Management PMP Des Moines Chapter
    • UX Meetup
    • Des Moines Book Club
    • Hyperstream, Speaker and Volunteer
    • Women of Innovation
    • Style for Dignity, Founder
    • Kiwanis
    • Tour de Cure, Planning Committee
  • Buccaneer / Vangent / General Dynamics Information Technology, Health and Civilian Solutions Division, Senior UI/UX Designer
    • Hyperstream
    • Activities Committee
    • Facilitator Group Developer Co-Leader
    • Co-Developer of Web Accessibility Wiki
    • Distinguished Performance Award
  • Agency Couture
  • Personal Projects
    • Sassy Stylish Geek
    • French - 2 years with private tutor, 1 year community classes, lots of time spent on Duolingo
    • Book Review Blog
    • DVEIT.com
    • Iowa Bike Blog - Collaboration with NorthTowne Cycling and Fitness
    • Sponsored Adventure Race Athlete by ICEdot, did 13 adventure races my first year including the Tough Mudder
  • Certification to teach barre (40 hour training), sculpt(40 hour training), and power yoga (200 hour training)
  • Currently working on a PhD in Human Computer Interaction from ISU.

Resources

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Senior UI/UX web designer. Adventurist and certified Yoga / Barre Instructor. Love aviation, books, and travel. More: References About