Michael Blaser Email & Phone Number

Greater Los Angeles, California, United States

As one of the early members of SCE’s newly formed startup group, Digital Accelerator, I created a UX presence at SCE from the ground up, which included building a UX strategy, developing standards, procuring software, and leading anywhere from two to five UX Designers. Led design for iOS and platform-agnostic apps for phone and tablet, for both customers as well as field personnel. Guided user experience and created standards for chatbot apps and Alexa FAQ skill. Acted as a major driver and leader of the team to create and promote a culture of innovation for our group. Co-created an interactive online course for Design Thinking, acting as UX Designer and content subject matter expert.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Led the digital user experience and often all creative for a large responsive site and some small apps for SCE. Often led strategy and discovery efforts, exploring how the latest technologies and trends can help our client's business or improve their customer experience. Developed and fostered strong client relationships, which is one of my strong suits. Planned and implemented user testing as well as employed market science / analytics, both of which were key to gaining insights and also confirming usability. Making great experiences out of complex problems with many technical challenges is my wheelhouse.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Acted as the primary UX voice for over 10 large market news sites. Developed concepts for LA.com, a hip, new mobile and web lifestyle news experience geared toward millennials. Upgraded the subscription experience for Tribune's myriad major news sites. Worked directly with developers to create a responsive system for reporters to create stories on location as easily as if in the office.

Los Angeles, Ca

Designed the Windows tablet version of an award-winning app for the world's largest textbook manufacturer, whose goal is the next generation of textbook. Re-imagined the customer user experience of one of the largest energy companies in the nation, throughout a wealth and variety of projects.How?• PROPONENT: Earnestly and thoughtfully advocated for the user, resulting in designs that tested unquestionably well in user research.• RESPONSIVE DESIGN: Designed across desktop, tablet, and mobile breakpoints while leveraging characteristics of each to provide optimal respective experiences.• STREAMLINE: Simplified complex processes and structures for the user. Examples: 1. Adapted the e-commerce process for users not expecting (or desiring) to be immersed in e-commerce. 2. Designed a complex interface to be as easy for a user with a single account as it is for those who have hundreds.• PERSUADE: Regularly pitched and presented designs to stakeholders for sign-off.• COLLABORATE: Guided UX designers and visual designers while simultaneously reinforcing the integrity of the user experience design.• COMMUNICATE: Presented the user experience vision to high level stake holders and client teams via prototypes and a unique online roadmap developed specifically for the task.• RESEARCH: Developed test plans. Worked with user researchers to ensure the research accurately measured the design intent. Performed guerrilla-type testing. Stay current with digital design trends: Smashing Magazine is a favorite.• ITERATION, iteration, iteration!

Irvine, Ca

• Designed and implemented a research program which provides an in-lab venue for User Experience Designers to put ideas or concepts in front of users early in the design process.• Coordinated annual benchmark study evaluating user performance on key tasks with KBB.com. The study involved an online quantitative portion with 300 participants and an in-lab qualitative portion with 10 participants, which I moderated.• Developed an ideation evaluation program using an online crowd-sourcing tool. Coordinated with various groups, including social media, user experience and visual design, product management, customer service, and CRM department.

• Designed and supervised diverse commercial and residential building projects ($100k to $5M), from conception to construction. • Used presentation and design skills to win significant design contracts. • Key client contact. • Managed and coordinated design consultants. • Led team to revitalize corporate branding strategy, including website, logo & letterhead, and construction signage, resulting in increased inquiries by potential clients. • Reduced time used for construction document generation via enhanced CAD and standard design detail standards.

• Performed heuristic evaluation for SendStuffNow product over variety of platforms: Android, iPhone, Windows 7, and web browser.• Designed preliminary wireframes for visual statistics module for Verizon hotspot manager.• Developed preliminary retail portal wireframes for SmithMicro.com.• Preliminary wireframes and research for new, simplified connection manager.• Created design personas and day-in-the-life descriptions.• Researched and interviewed existing users of Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T products.• Function/Feature analysis based on persona research.

Achieved statistically significant improvements to an existing universal remote control product and its instructions. The research involved:• Performing heuristic evaluation of existing device• Designing and administering joint marketing survey and usability test for 45 participants.• Redesigning the device and instructions based on information gained from first series of tests.• Designing and administering usability test on new design for 75 participants• Analysis using SPSS• Present results to UEI’s International Retail Team.

• Performed user mental model evaluation for ubiquitous Atlas remote control device; included designing and administering questionnaire and report to UEI.• Suggested a redesigned Atlas product based on results of survey and applicable Human Factors principles. • Results provided Universal Electronics with design insights they will employ on future products.

Provided architectural expertise to two Los Angeles area architecture and design firms for residential and commercial projects.

• Completed construction of flagship, 40,000 square foot high end retail store, including restaurant and 145-person theater, in less than 6 months.• Spearheaded aggressive development schedule. Reviewed and approved construction. • Acted as liaison between design teams, contractors and clients during construction phase.• Obtained building permits.• Resolved conflicts between design, budget, and building code.• Coordinated mechanical, kitchen, electrical, and lighting consultants.

• Developed themed restaurants, children’s center, office buildings, light industrial and commercial, multi-tenant and mixed use buildings, banks, condominium developments, retail stores, pharmacies, service stations, home construction and renovations.• Designed and managed diverse building and renovation projects. • Maintained client communications and relationships.• Conducted site planning and programming.• Managed and coordinated design consultants.• Checked and directed construction documents.

• Developed innovative architectural design and detailing for a range of commercial and industrial clients.• Created marketing materials, AutoCAD and other design software tutorials.Selected Contributions:• Contributed to office headquarters design for ACT educational testing company.• Designed elements of new Eli Lily laboratory, vivarium, and office building.

• Led teams of designers, construction managers and architectural support staff.• Maintained design and construction budgets and schedules.• Determined project staffing levels.• Enhanced client relations.• Recruited and motivated staff.• Mentored intern architects and CAD designers. Selected Contributions:• Designed medical office buildings, surgery centers, elementary schools, office buildings, industrial and commercial, and residential buildings.• Created corporate intranet to promote information and document distribution. • Created and led key Planning group.

Ma, Psychology (Human Factors)

Activities and Societies: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) American Psychological Association (APA)My studies focused on design.

General Studies

Bachelor Of Science, Architecture