Annette Leong

Tel. 415.902.5900
Email. ux [at] okeea.com

Objective:

To utilize my creativity and technical skills in user-centered designs, crossing multiple platforms in communication and entertainment devices.

Experience:

Google Inc., Mountain View, CA

Jan 2012–present

UI Designer

  • Define user experience on Google Maps products for desktop, mobile and tablet. Work closely with Designers, Engineers and Product Managers to design products that are simple but great for the user, focusing on interaction and visual design.
  • Use design aesthetic and conduct experiments with real users so that improvements to the user experience are based on real user behavior. Develop products that are intuitive, accessible and usable to our millions of users.
  • Define the user model and user interface for new and existing Google products and features. Develop high level and detailed storyboards, mockups, and prototypes to effectively communicate interaction and design ideas.
  • Gauge the usability of new and existing products, and making constructive suggestions for change.

Microsoft Corp., Mountain View, CA

Oct 2007–Dec 2011

Sr. User Experience Designer

    Mediaroom:
  • Defined user experience on Television and video consumption for Xbox, Windows Phone 7, set-top box, and the web.
  • Created new and innovative showcase experiences for third party partners on Xbox. Strategized and designed to meet Xbox and partners’ business models and branding, and consumers’ expectations. Defined end-to-end experience with multiple user input models (controller, gesture, and voice input.) Ensured that solutions were influenced and informed by user research and market trends.
  • Developed user stories, wireframes, interaction flows, and new interaction models (gestures and multi-touch) for new and existing products and features. Built conceptual prototypes in After Effects and Flash to communicate design ideas.
  • Collaborated with Engineering and Production to deliver the highest-quality product within resource, schedule, and technical constraints.
    • Tellme:
  • Unified user experience across variety of devices, including the mobile devices on BlackBerry, Windows Phones, and the web.
  • Collaborated with designers and researchers to develop design ideas, concepts, and recommended product direction based on design research and functional requirements.
  • Implemented and produced work in Flash, CSS and DHTML. Provided detail and complete design specifications. Worked closely with front and back end engineers and QA during implementation and pre-release activities.
  • Developed brand center website to provide branding guidelines for external agencies and contractors.

Yahoo! Inc., Sunnyvale, CA

Mar 2005–Oct 2007

Visual Designer

  • Audited and defined visual standards and interaction patterns. Best practices were published internally as well as externally at Yahoo! Design Pattern Library. Contributed to Page Grids, Item Pagination, Calendar Picker, Ratings and Reviews etc.
  • Developed concepts and executed visual and interaction designs for Yahoo! Personals online dating site. Supported research studies on developing actionable recommendations to enhance the experience for the targeted personas.

Red Herring Inc., Mountain View, CA

Sep 2003–Feb 2005

Web Content Specialist

  • Led creative and production efforts in website, monthly PDF newsletters, promotional email, and Red Herring Spring and Fall conference campaigns.
  • Worked with Editorial, Illustrator and Marketing on article layout that included banner advertisements and illustration/graphic with specified sizes and file formats.

Wessling Creative, San Francisco, CA

Nov 2000–May 2003

New Media Designer

  • Digitally promoted Wessling Creative, Plexus5 and Caducent by designing, programming, testing/QA, and maintaining websites, interactive CDrom, web banners, and promotional email.
  • Designed and programmed in Flash, HTML, DHTML, and CSS for small to medium-sized B2B and B2C websites, targeting SEO and placing websites on search engines to increase websites traffic.

Education:

Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA

Jan 1999–May 2002

Bachelor of Fine Art in Computer Arts New Media

The One Academy, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia

Jan 1997–Aug 1998

Graphic Design

Taylor's College, Subang Jaya, Malaysia

Jan 1996–Dec 1996

Certificate in South Australian Matriculation in Economy and Accounting

Skill:

  • Visual and interaction design problem solving
  • Quick sketching/storyboarding
  • Excellent skills in Photoshop and Illustrator
  • Strong skills in Flash and motion graphics
  • Documentation, specifications and guidelines
  • Competitive design audit

Language:

Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Recognition:

  • Patent application #20100318366: Touch Anywhere to Speak, 2010
  • IGN Video – "YouTube App For Xbox Live", 2011
  • Gizmodo – "AT&T's Windows Phone 7 U-verse App Is What a TV Guide Should Be", 2010
  • CNET – "Microsoft's Tellme launches its best app ever… for BlackBerry", 2008
  • Bronze ADDY Award – 199 New Montgomery website, 2005
  • Golden Web Award – Plexus5 website, 2004
  • Top Branding & Design Consulting Firms – for the Wessling Creative Group by San Francisco Business Times, 2002
  • HOW Design Magazine – Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired website, 2002