sonnykoh

i transform complex words + offset pixels into simple user actions.

UI UX FED

Everyone thinks they can design a better user interface — including me.

ph: 773.962.7605

About me

I used to believe that designers are the creative thinkers and programmers have the analytic minds. What I found to be true is that designers think very analytically and programmers are extremely creative. As a user interface designer, ux designer and front-end developer, I make good use of both side of my brain. From my extensive experience in the fields of interactive design and software development, I've evolved from a designer/developer to a complete problem-solver. My work experience include software products in the fields of hospitality, entertainment, education, insurance, and e-commerce. I work comfortably in both agile (scrum) and waterfall dev environments; I have always enjoyed what I do; and I continually strive to improve my skillset.

I was born in Seoul, Korea; raised in Chicago; and spent a big chunk of my adult life in Southern California. I am now back in the Second-City and although I still have not gotten used to the cold winters, I do have a greater appreciation for the great city of Chicago. I am a tech junkie at heart with a healthy obsession with new gadgets and shiny buttons. I have always enjoyed putting things together as well as pulling things apart. I drink too much coffee; I prefer deep dish over thin crust; and I spend way too much money on ebay.

When I am not in front of a computer screen, I can be found camping, fishing, scuba diving, or slinging a hammer. I like to fix things, find things, and make things. I love to travel around the world; try new foods; and experience new cultures.

I am also a big Chicago Bulls Bears fan.

Education

  • DePaul Universitygraduate
  • University of Illinois at Chicago undergraduate
  • Lane Tech Prep high school

Professional

  • Refresh Chicago chicago designers + developers
  • Chicago Javascript chicago javascript community
  • Mobile Mondays chicago mobile community
  • Chicago Backboners chicago backboneJS community
  • HTML5 chicago html5 community
  • Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor society for computer science and information research
  • IXDA interaction design assoc.
  • NAAAP nation assoc. of asian american professionals

Design Philosophy

focus
"The sun does not revolve around the earth." ~Galileo

inspiration
"A good artist borrows.
A great artist steals!"
~Picasso

simplicity
"Everything should be as simple as possible, but not any simplier."
~Einstein

usability
"I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people."
~Newton

Approach

everyone thinks they can design a better user interface — including me.

FED UX UI

Skills


Graphic Tools

  • photoshop
  • illustrator
  • Visio
  • Powerpoint
  • Flash

Front End Code

  • html5/xml,xsl
  • css3/sass,scss
  • responsive foundation
  • javascript/json,ajax
  • jquery/jquerymobile
  • backboneJS

Back End Code

  • php/phpAdmin
  • sql/mysql/access
  • coldfusion
  • drupal,cms

Usability Tools

  • contextual inquiry
  • heuristic evaluations
  • paper prototyping
  • task analysis
  • user surveys

Contact

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