Overview
I was a Usability Specialist in the User Experience Group (UEG) at Intuit. I spent half my time serving as an internal consultant to other groups and the other half working on UEG's own projects.

User Research
My responsibilities varied by project. Sometimes my role focused on planning, executing, and analyzing usability tests with groups of 5-8 users. I carried out over 20 of these tests; an overview of the typical activities involved is available as PDF in the sidebar to the right.

In addition, I carried out expert reviews—most often cognitive walkthroughs and heuristic evaluations—or additional user research techniques such as interviews, analyzing site logs, creating personas, conducting card sorts, and writing surveys. I also devised new research methods: with the help of a Web Designer I co-created a Flash-based card-sorting tool that was used when it wasn't possible to meet our intended users in person.

Design
Though I primarily conducted evaluation, there was no interaction designer in our group, so I did substantial design work as well. I developed site maps for Websites, site flows for Web applications, and mockups of proposed interfaces, generally working in collaboration with a Visual Designer as the prototypes increased in fidelity.

Usability Testing Cycle [PDF]	Online Card-sorting Tool	Screenshot Mockups
Intuit Fall 2000 - Summer 2002 I worked as a Usability Specialist at a company well-regarded for its user-centered design practices, carrying out all manner of user research as well as design.