Work
Grains & Beans iPhone App
Ever needed to know how long to soak lima beans for? Then this is your simple answer and guide to preparing and cooking grains and beans. Also included is information about which grains and beans are gluten free.
In this project I worked on the user experience (testing, prototyping iterations) and visual design of the application using sketches, Axure, TestFlight and Photoshop.
Kidspace
I pitched and won this project with Kidspace Childcare Center for a complete image overhaul including a new brand and a new site. We started by conducting a survey to find out what teachers, staff and parents thought about their existing site and what enhancements they would like to see. Once it was determined that parents wanted more detailed and up to date information, we decided to create a member’s section that parents and staff could access through a login. I used paper prototypes to test various iterations of key tasks that users wanted to perform.
We switched to a new hosting service that provides quality customer service. We installed WordPress which allows the teachers and administration to maintain existing pages or add new pages from any computer, anywhere. Each classroom is set up with their own blog that the teachers maintain via email or via their browser. It serves as the hub of communication between parents and teachers. The kitchen chef posts their weekly menus. We hired a photographer for a day of on-site photos. We also printed Kidspace t-shirts for adults and kids which have become very popular.
Visit Kidspace
Reuters
User interface and production comps presented to Reuters. This is a web video service that updates Reuters’ news and financial data operations. The idea is to give viewers deep but short reports of three to five minutes on a range of topics that mainstream channels do not always explore, and to do it in a way “that younger generations who grew up with the Internet will recognize”. Users search video clips for information and will make some programming available to the public online, but most of it will sit on the trading terminals that people pay for.
Kidspace
Underground Design
Logo for a product design firm based out of Palo Alto.
Sustainable Schoolyard Logo
Logo for a non-profit
¡Viva!
¡Viva!
I created the logo and website for a Seattle womens’ ultimate frisbee team, which appears on all their uniforms and promotional materials.
Bellevue School District
Researched, presented, and designed the district website along with 32 school websites. I hired a developer to help build a Content Management System that would allow teachers, staff and parents to update content or add their own pages. I conducted training for about 20 staff and teachers. I did one day of photoshooting at the district offices.
REI
REI hired me for a quick turnaround project involving the redesign of the stewardship site. I designed 4 different templates and worked closely with the web developer. I focused on designing robust pages that would scale well over time. Axure was used for prototyping (wireframes, flowchart, content and for getting sign off on the basic user interface).
Amazon
While at Amazon I helped launch the retail sites for Amazon Japan and Amazon Canada. In addition, I launched the Amazon jewelry & watches store. I branded the first year of seasonal gift stores for Japan and Canada in addition to marketing exclusive products such as the Segway. I collaborated on the information architecture for the checkout process and sitewide dual-language display.
Sustainable Schoolyard
Presentation for a non profit to enhance student’s local and regional environmental awareness. The multidisciplinary project strives to give students an understanding of responsible stewardship. SandPoint Elementary showcases how to keep some of their natural resources on-site by harvesting rainwater to support native plantings and treating storm water runoff in rain gardens.
See full PDF presentation
Japanese Trading Cards
I designed these inserts in Japanese to be packaged with trading cards.
Bellevue School District Logo
I was hired to redesign the district logo. I did research, industry analysis, exploration and implementation of the new design.
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Grains & Beans iPhone App
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Kidspace
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Reuters
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Kidspace
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Underground Design
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Sustainable Schoolyard Logo
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¡Viva!
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Bellevue School District
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REI
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Amazon
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Sustainable Schoolyard
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Japanese Trading Cards
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Bellevue School District Logo
Services
User Experience
Imagine user experiences as a necklace of memorized stories or beads of use and consumption that gets repeated on different websites. Humans carry with them this ‘necklace’ of user experiences. They are remembered because of their practical relevance, for example in making a purchase or in locating information. I help companies and organizations create positive and memorable experiences for their users. I would describe my design aesthetic as minimalist, elegant, powerful, clean, and essential. I have worked with many companies in designing end-to-end user experiences on the web, in software, and in print. I have an insatiable curiosity for people as sellers and people as buyers. I understand and apply best practices online and on paper.
Localization
Localization can bring a great deal of value to a company. Many world-class companies already generate in excess of 60% of their revenue outside of their core domestic market, forging relationships with many global markets rich with opportunities. It is only logical that for many products and services, localized versions generate better results and engender deeper loyalty with your target audience. I have worked with several multinational companies such as Amazon.com, Leo Burnett, and Recruit in helping them reach different cultures. In the case of Amazon and Recruit, I worked in both the US and Japan. They hired me for my understanding of the cultures and for being able to design print and digital content in two languages.
Branding
To be able to understand a company and represent it visually is a learned skill. A brand is like a personality that goes out into the world and interacts with its customers. It must reach out to the right people and resonate with the audience by choice of color, words, photos, tone, and location.
About
Tokyo, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Seattle
My name is Megan Finaly and I started my design career in Tokyo working for an art agency. I moved to Amsterdam and set up shop there for 6 months before finally deciding San Francisco was where the internet was really happening. After three years I migrated up to Seattle to work for a start-up. My expertise is in localization, online marketing and user experience. I was an Asian Studies with Foreign Languages major at Lewis & Clark College. I have worked for retail, non-profit, publishing, business to business, and gaming companies. For three and a half years I was the lead designer for Amazon International based in Seattle. I helped launch and maintain the Amazon Japan and Amazon Canada sites.
I have what I call an online desktop that is slightly more organized than my own desk.
Process
web design process
Studio 4622
The Studio 4622 is a place for encaustics, sewing, teaching art, and is currently sponsoring a co-op. The studio hosts regular events showcasing local Seattle artists’ work. Currently there are three artists who are members of the Artist Co-Op. Stay tuned for the next event which will be posted here.
Contact
Contact Megan to discuss your projects