tactic-ux.com — Web Projects

Measure Twice, Cut Once

I’m J.F. Culhane and this is a site for my consultancy that specializes in UX, Information Architecture, Strategy and IT Project Management. I have worked on the forefront of digital technology over the last 15+ years creating solutions and prototypes for digital content systems, marketing, and social networks.

My domain concentrations are prototyping, digital content, and community development. I have worked with both B2B and B2C audiences and have managed large projects for Aon plc, Comcast, MSN, AOL, Scholastic, and PBS. I have also developed community, art gallery, and non-profit based projects that operate on a limited budget.

This site contains examples that I have used to better define projects in the past.

Innovative Firsts Ahead of the Curve: I worked with Newline Features on some of the first film trailers they put on the internet (1998), developed the first physicians’ channel for AOL (1998), helped create a neighborhood wireless network (1999), developed the first internet portal for all of Comcast’s Ad Sales (2005) and built the first statewide children’s environmental network website in the U.S. (2018).

Type
Web application
Stack
Various

I have worked extensively on large microsite systems for Comcast, Aon plc and most recently, the NY State Children’s Environmental Health Centers (nyscheck.org). In most cases I functioned as a Senior Project Manager, Information Architect, UX Design, and created specification documentation.

Developing these type of systems is challenging architecturally because the success of the network depends upon the sites or nodes sharing assets and knowledge. It is primarily about collaboration and the power of the network. Information can flow in two directions, one from the top node down to all the cities in the network, or up from a local node and across nodes or cities if the information is network wide. It is fascinating when nodes can finally see other nodes and use ideas and concepts to increase the strength of the whole network.

The number of perspectives from the customers to the administrators makes it very complex and there needs to be considerable research and preproduction before creating the code or building out a Content Management System.

Internal and External communications also become very important for these ever changing systems. Communication tools and Social Accounts sit on top of the network once it is established and can feature elements at multiple levels. In most cases there is also a necessary training component to teach local admins how to customize the system for their area.

IA & UX Documentation

  • The Aon microsite project involved +30 areas in the U.S. All the offices had different attributes given their locations.

  • A national newsletter for marketing that could also be customized for local areas and larger cities.

  • nyscheck.org required the connection of 8 environmental centers in children's hospitals across New York State. One challenge was to be able to find centers through 62 counties.

  • This is the competitive analysis that was created during pre-production for the project.

  • The map of markets for the Comcast Spotlight project. This was the Ad Sales division of Comcast.

  • This was a multi channel marketing plan before social media became important. 2005.

  • This example shows the site specification.

  • A design for the thought leadership portal with some user stories.

  • These are user stories created in pre-production.

Type
Web application
Stack
Various

These are examples of a few production strategies that had to be invented on the fly for the development and operations of the project. Many of these were customized specifically for the site or initiative and included the integration and sync of marketing lists, and integrated analytics post launch. Much of the spec work is and always will be to focus all the stakeholders on reaching a common specified goal. One of my first questions when assessing a project is if there is documentation to support the concept.

IA & UX Documentation

  • A custom production tracking tool for Aon.

  • Database development for Comcast Spotlight E-marketing.

  • Example of integrated marketing for Comcast Spotlight. We could see the effects of when print ads ran from the web metrics.

  • A media plan brainstorming document.

  • A prototype news center for licensed medical news.

  • A sync tool plan for Comcast Spotlight e-marketing that was developed from scratch.

Type
Web application
Stack
Various

I’ve been increasingly interested and involved in projects that concern the environment and the use of new technology with monitoring and efficiency. The NY State Children’s Environmental Health Centers (nyscheck.org) has had a unique role in the post Flint Michigan water crisis. It’s proven to be an interesting balance between 8 children’s environmental hospitals and community based partnerships on the ground. The project incorporates a microsite network across New York State and many specialists who have expertise on everything from lead poisoning to climate change. The prototype for the Society for Environmental Certificates integrated a system to track green building development.

IA & UX Documentation

  • The result of a story on Twitter and Facebook.

  • This is a workflow content strategy for both the network and distribution to social media.

  • The first version of the Serfgreen project focused more on energy conservation and certifications similar to a LEED program. (Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design)

  • An overview of the framework of the site which incorporated multiple databases.

  • A plan for the content areas on the site.

Type
Web application
Stack
Various

These are examples of various unique sites and prototypes from a financial blog and archive, a wireless neighborhood network prototype created in 1999 (6 years before the iPhone) and a pharma co-branded CMS which gives an example of very detailed design template specification.

IA & UX Documentation

  • Overall map of a content management system.

  • A content wireframe for dynamic webpage layout.

  • A design spec for dynamic templates.

  • An example of an archive to house financial newsletters or communications.

  • An overview map for a very early mobile neighborhood network.

  • Very early mobile wireframes (1999).