Jay Yerxa Email & Phone Number

Portland, Oregon, United States

As the Digital Client UX Team Lead at Edward Jones, I drive the vision and execution of user experience strategies, ensuring our digital products meet the highest usability and client satisfaction standards. My role encompasses:Strategic Leadership: Lead a high-performing UX team, setting strategic direction and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, trust, and respect.User-Centered Design: Champion a user-centered design approach, integrating user research and feedback into all stages of the design process to create simple, elegant experiences.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product management, development, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment of UX initiatives with business objectives and roadmaps.Design Thinking: Implement design thinking methodologies to solve complex, enterprise-level problems and create impactful user experiences at scale.UX Research & Insights: Oversee UX research efforts, leveraging data and insights to inform design decisions and enhance user engagement.Prototyping & Testing Oversight: Lead and mentor designers in creating high-fidelity prototypes and conducting usability testing to validate and refine design concepts iteratively.Accessibility & Inclusivity: Advocate for and ensure the integration of accessibility best practices, promoting inclusive design across all projects.Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality design solutions that meet minimum viable product standards.Mentorship & Development: Mentor and support team members' professional growth, build a strong and capable UX team, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.Data-Driven Decisions: Utilize data analytics and user feedback to iterate and improve digital products and user experiences continuously.

Greater St. Louis Area

As a Senior UX Designer at Edward Jones, I was instrumental in crafting user-centric designs that enhanced client interactions and satisfaction. My role involved:User Experience Design: Developed intuitive and engaging user experiences for digital platforms, ensuring alignment with user needs and business goals.Research & Analysis: Conducted extensive user research and usability testing to gather insights and inform design decisions.Prototyping & Wireframing: Created detailed wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to visualize and iterate design concepts.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Worked closely with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to translate requirements into compelling design solutions.Design Thinking: Led design-thinking workshops to foster innovation and collaboration within the team.Accessibility Advocacy: Promoted and implemented accessibility best practices to ensure inclusive design for all users.User Testing: Organized and facilitated user testing sessions to validate design choices and gather feedback for continuous improvement.Visual Design: Maintained a high standard of visual design, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines.Documentation & Specifications: Produced comprehensive design documentation and specifications for seamless handoff to development teams.Mentorship: Provided guidance and mentorship to junior designers, fostering their growth and development.Through my role, I contributed to creating user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing digital experiences that met the needs of our clients and supported the strategic objectives of Edward Jones.

Columbia, Missouri Area

As Chief Marketing Officer, I lead and coordinate all marketing activities and policies, spanning interactive and user experience design, social media, and print. My strategic approach to marketing is informed by comprehensive research, market characteristics, and defined objectives.Key Responsibilities:Marketing Strategy Development: Craft and implement marketing strategies that align with business objectives, leveraging market research and analysis.Team Leadership: Oversee sales team operations, including hiring, training, and performance evaluations, ensuring alignment with marketing goals.Financial Management: Manage project budgets, expenditures, ROI, and profit-loss projections to ensure fiscal responsibility and profitability.Pricing Strategies: Develop pricing strategies that balance revenue goals with customer satisfaction.Market Analysis: Conduct in-depth market research and analysis to inform marketing strategies and decisions.Sales Forecasting & Strategic Planning: Utilize sales forecasting and strategic planning to drive project profitability and monitor market trends.Digital Transformation: Lead digital initiatives to enhance marketing effectiveness and customer engagement through innovative technologies.Brand Management: Oversee the development and maintenance of the company’s brand and corporate identity, ensuring consistency across all channels.Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with product development, finance, and customer service to align marketing strategies with overall business goals.Performance Monitoring: Continuously analyze marketing campaign performance using data-driven insights to optimize future initiatives.Through my leadership, I drive impactful marketing efforts that contribute to the company’s success and growth, ensuring all activities are aligned with overarching business goals.

Greater St. Louis Area

As a Senior Digital Art Director, I've had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of esteemed clients, from Suddenlink Communications to USAID. This breadth of experience has honed my ability to adapt to different industries and client needs. Some of the notable organizations I've worked with include Washington University in St. Louis, Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design, World Chess Hall of Fame, Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network, Arts and Education Council, Pacient, and Divadend Footwear. In each collaboration, my role was to:Visual Design Execution: Translated high-level objectives and principles into polished visual designs supporting actionable sales strategies.UX Communication: Developed low- and high-fidelity wireframes to effectively communicate user experience and content architecture.Creative Leadership: Led the creative team in design-thinking exercises to ideate and conceptualize highly effective visual designs.Client Engagement: Directed client presentations, showcasing creative and UX deliverables clearly and confidently.Trend Integration: Incorporated design trends to create intuitive and elegant user experiences.UX Advocacy: Championed UX best practices, focusing on consistency, usability, and user-centered design.Team Mentorship: Supported and mentored team members in all UX and digital creativity areas, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.Strategic Translation: Translated client goals into information architecture and content strategy to inform technical development.Through my leadership and expertise, I've consistently delivered visually compelling, user-centric designs that not only met client objectives but also significantly enhanced the overall user experience. This focus on user experience has been a key factor in the success of my projects.

Greater St. Louis Area

As an Art Director, I worked with clients such as Medibeacon, Husky Corporation, Dr. Brown’s, ANOVA, MyLaw, Arch Grants, BSI, Contegix, EJ4, Hatchbuck, Heritage University, University of Kansas, University of Texas, Selerant, Start Right Foods, MRCT, and Tangoe. My role encompassed:Information Architecture & UX Strategy: Developed and implemented cohesive and effective project development strategies.Front-End Design: Crafted optimized front-end designs for visually compelling, user-friendly interfaces.Web Project Management: Managed web projects from conception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with client objectives.Creative Direction: Led artistic direction, maintaining cohesive visual identity and high-quality design standards.Marketing Strategy: Devised and executed strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement.Animation & Identity Development: Designed animations and developed distinctive brand identities.Collaboration & Leadership: I facilitated team collaboration and guided designers, developers, and other stakeholders to achieve project goals.Client Relations: Built strong relationships, translating goals into practical design solutions.Presentation & Communication: Delivered compelling presentations, effectively communicating design concepts and insights.Innovative Solutions: Utilized strategic thinking to solve complex design challenges, aligning projects with business goals and client needs.Achievements: I launched over 50 digital campaigns, was recognized for excellence in design and strategy, and received multiple awards for project execution and client satisfaction.Notable Projects: I led the redesign of the University of Kansas’ Start-Up Incubator website, improving user engagement and accessibility. I also spearheaded the branding initiative for Start Right Foods, increasing market recognition by 30%.

Springfield, Missouri, United States

As a Graphic Designer at The Underground, I played a crucial role in shaping the visual identity and enhancing the overall aesthetic of the publication. My responsibilities included:Newspaper Layout Design: Created engaging and visually appealing newspaper layouts, ensuring each issue's cohesive and professional look.Brand Development: Developed and refined the brand identity of The Underground, contributing to its recognition and appeal among readers.Ad Creation: Designed effective and eye-catching advertisements that supported the newspaper’s revenue goals and provided value to advertisers.Visual Content Creation: Produced a variety of visuals, including illustrations, infographics, and promotional materials, to support editorial content and marketing efforts.Collaboration: Worked closely with editors, writers, and other team members to ensure that the visual elements complemented the written content and met publication standards.Creative Problem Solving: Addressed design challenges with innovative solutions, maintaining high-quality visuals under tight deadlines.Software Proficiency: Utilized design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to create high-quality layouts and graphics.During my tenure, I significantly contributed to The Underground's visual quality and brand strength, enhancing the reader experience and supporting the newspaper’s mission.

As a Graphic Design Intern, I gained valuable hands-on experience in the design industry, supporting lead designers and contributing to various projects. My responsibilities included:Production Preparation: Prepared documents and design files for production, ensuring accuracy and readiness for print or digital distribution.Assisting Lead Designers: Provided assistance to lead designers, collaborating on design projects and contributing to the creative process.Coordination with Contractors: Worked with contractors to ensure design specifications were met and projects were completed on time and within budget.Creative Support: Assisted in the development of design concepts, layouts, and graphics for various marketing and promotional materials.Software Utilization: Utilized design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to create and edit design files.Attention to Detail: Maintained a high level of attention to detail, ensuring all design work adhered to brand guidelines and quality standards.Learning & Development: Continuously developed my design skills by learning from experienced designers and staying updated with industry trends.During my internship, I played a supportive role in the design process, contributing to the successful completion of numerous projects and gaining a strong foundation in graphic design.

Bfa, Graphic Design

Activities and Societies: Students in Design (SID)

Photography

Activities and Societies: Team Photo Club