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Experience

In order to provide a snapshot of my experience and capabilities, I have created the following categorised lists:

 

Design

Sketching, Wire-framing, Iterative, Web Design, E-commerce, Portals, Kiosk Design, Portals, Information Architecture, Journey Mapping and Service Mapping Responsive, User Centred Design, Documentation, Marketing, Branding and Stationery

 

Testing: One to one, Remote, Heat Maps, Laser Eye Tracking

Software: Adobe Suite, Figma, Sketch, Jira & Collaboration Tools

Coding: HTML, CSS & SASS, JQuery

Methods: Lean, Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall


If you prefer my CV in offline format,

you can download my CV (600Kb Microsoft Word Format).

Experience Timeline

Department for Health
& Social Care

Contract - Jul 2024 – Sep 2024

Senior UX/UI Designer

During the Alpha phase of an Adult Social Care data portal project, I was tasked with creating designs in Figma and mapping in Miro. These designs aimed to map the current state (as is) and the desired future state (to be) as part of the service design process. Throughout the Alpha phase, the designs were continuously tested and improved through iterations to meet the evolving needs and feedback.

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Skill sets UX - ID - SD - UI

UK Research & Innovation

Contract - Dec 2023 – Mar 2024

Senior UX/UI Designer

During my time at the UKRI, I had the opportunity to contribute to one of the most intricate complex systems to date. Collaborating with a diverse team comprising developers, business analysts, testers, project managers, product owners, and fellow designers, I leveraged GDS principles and my profound understanding of user experience to develop a funding application-based system. Notably, one of the projects I undertook was for an external client, OfGem, where they sought a tailored application service specifically designed for the private sector.

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Skill sets UX - ID - SD - UI

Cabinet Office 

Contract - Jul 2023 – Oct 2023

Senior UX/UI Designer

Joining the Government Digital Service (GDS) presented an opportunity to engage in a diverse range of projects and gain exposure to new working methodologies. As a User-Centered Design team within a larger agile team, we utilised Figma to develop designs and then construct them within the prototype kit. Subsequently, we tested the designs with users as part of a new government initiative called One Login.

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Skill sets UX - ID - SD - UI

HM Revenue & Customs

Contract - Feb 2022 – Apr 2023

Senior UX/UI Designer

During my time at HMRC, I had the privilege of working on a significant project known as "Paying Tax from Previous Years" or "Digital Disclosure Service." I was involved in the project from its initial discovery phase until its successful launch. While the primary objective was to modernise an outdated i-forms service, we seized the opportunity to address various business and user requirements. Furthermore, we ensured the service complied with all the latest accessibility standards, making it inclusive and user-friendly.

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Skill sets UX - ID - SD - UI

Insolvency Service

Contract - Aug 2021 – Oct 2021

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Lead UX/UI/Researcher

Working for the Insolvency Service was a great insight into how business and individuals become insolvent. As part of a compact team comprising two BAs, a User Researcher, and a Project Manager, I dedicated eight weeks to an in-depth discovery process. This entailed identifying issues with existing services, mapping out pain points, analysing the current state of affairs, and brainstorming potential solutions. Additionally, I played a role in conducting research and facilitating interviews.

Skillsets UX - ID - SD - UI - Research

 Education & Skills
Funding Agency

Contract - Nov 2020 – Jul 2021

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Lead UX/UI Designer

Working with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) was a unique opportunity to collaborate with a team of eight designers on a range of projects. The ESFA, overseen by the Department for Education (DFE) with its broader design community, provided ample opportunities for collaboration, inspiration, and knowledge sharing. Utilising the GDS toolkit, I contributed to a service that allows apprentices to confirm new apprenticeships and provides an online portal where they can view expectations set by their training providers or employers.

Skill sets UX - ID - SD - UI

Transport for the North

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Contract - Jun 2020 – Nov 2020

Senior UX/UI Designer

As an interaction designer at Transport for the North, I collaborated with user researchers to adhere to GDS guidelines. Our objective was to create a system where transportation companies could seamlessly upload their fares and route data. This open-source information would facilitate the development of apps and integration with Google. I played a pivotal role, contributing to the project's progression from the alpha stage to a private beta phase.

Skill sets UX - ID - SD - UI

Sky

Leeds - Oct 2019 – Feb 2020

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Senior UX/UI Researcher

During my time at Sky, I had the privilege of working on diverse projects within the Sky Sports and Sky News divisions. The highlight was a discovery project focused on the information architecture and navigation of the Skysports website, which boasts over 50 million unique monthly visitors.

In collaboration with experienced UX designers, I contributed to the development of the SkyQ interface, specifically for a voice-activated football highlights project. Both endeavours required meticulous research analysis, wireframing, tree testing, and thorough lab testing.

Skill sets UX - SD - UI - Research

Ministry of Justice

Contract - Jan 2019 – Jun 2019

Senior UX/UI Designer

During a project aimed at empowering victims of abuse to seek compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, I played a crucial user-centric role in collaboration with the team. I also contributed to the Power of Attorney service, where I used my skills to make a tangible, positive impact on society.

Skill sets UX - ID - UI

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Department for Education

Contract  Manchester- Aug 2018 – Oct 2018

Senior UX/UI Designer

The main challenge was a shortage of teachers, and the aim was to provide prospective teachers with practical experience in school settings. Alpha's output was a GDS prototype that featured user profiles, a system for searching and booking teaching placements, and a management tool for schools. This project successfully passed its Alpha GDS assessment.

Skill sets UX - ID - UI

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HM Revenue & Customs

Contract Shipley - Mar 2018 – Aug 2018

Senior UX/UI Designer

In the dynamic and challenging realm of HMRC, I had the privilege of delving into the intricate processes and regulations governing import, export, duty, excise, and VAT. My role entailed crafting user personas, outlining user flows, pinpointing service challenges, and charting user journeys. Through collaborative efforts with users during prototype testing, I fostered a culture of continuous learning and incremental enhancements, always adhering to agile principles.

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Skill sets UX - ID - UI

NHS

Contract Leeds - Jan 2017 – Dec 2017

Senior UX/UI Researcher

My task was to offer an indication and health score of crucial services to the broader NHS. The scope encompassed a wide range, spanning from GP referrals to electronic prescriptions. To facilitate this reporting, we utilised Splunk IT Service Intelligence, empowering users to monitor and delve into service issues and potential outages across all NHS services. I engaged in thorough research to ascertain users' needs, developed prototypes, and constructed interactive interfaces within Splunk.

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Skill sets UX - UI - Research

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Department for
Work and Pensions

Contract Manchester - Mar 2016 – Dec 2016

Senior UX/UI Designer

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), I employed hypothesis-driven design to create Government Digital Service (GDS) prototypes for a system facilitating the repayment of crisis loans. Additionally, I contributed to an internal case management fraud system. Through an iterative and agile approach, we validated our hypotheses by involving users in the testing process.

Skill sets UX - ID - UI

Environment Agency

Contract Warrington - Mar 2015 – Feb 2016

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UX/UI Designer

My first government project involved developing a flood warning system for the Environment Agency (EA). It entailed researching the problem, prototyping the concept, and then building prototypes using the GDS toolkit. After extensive testing with users, we launched the service, which is now in active use.

Subsequently, I worked on the International Waste Shipments project, where I collaborated closely with product owners and subject matter experts. Together with a content designer and a user researcher, we tested user journeys, created pages with Axure, and built functional GDS prototypes.

Skill sets UX - ID - UI - Research

Manheim & Autotrader

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Contract Manchester - Jul 2012 – Feb 2015

UI Designer / Front End Developer

I've held similar roles in the automotive sector, twice at Manheim and once at Autotrader. My primary responsibility was to design the user experience for the main BMW and MINI used car websites. Additionally, I contributed to the design of other popular car brands within their portfolio.

My work involved creating wireframes, prototypes, design elements, and templates. I utilised HTML5, CSS3, and jQuery for development. Furthermore, I worked within a .Net framework environment, which included Visual Studio, TFS, and agile sprint methodologies.

Skill sets UX - UI

JD Williams

Contract Manchester - Aug 2011 – Jul 2012

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UI Designer / Front End Developer

At JD, they thrive in a dynamic and creative environment where all brands undergo regular updates to align with seasonal and weekly promotional calendars. My responsibilities encompassed conceptualisation, HTML/CSS development, and comprehensive online store redesigns across JD's diverse portfolio.

Skill sets UX- UI - Front End Dev

ASDA

Perm Leeds - Jan 2009 – Mar 2011

UX/UI Designer

Developed and implemented effective advertising campaigns for ASDA groceries, the ASDA website, and the George website, resulting in a significant contribution of 4 million pounds in revenue. Contributed to the growth and enhancement of the online grocery shopping experience by designing engaging microsites. Conducted thorough analysis and provided comprehensive reporting on campaign performance, providing valuable insights for future marketing strategies.

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Skill sets UX - UI

Earlier Work History -
From July 1991 to January 2009, held multiple long-term positions as a Web Designer and Graphic Designer.

Contact Me

For immediate communication, feel free to reach out via phone call. Otherwise, you can fill out the email form, and I'll make every effort to respond promptly. Alternatively, you can connect with me on LinkedIn or send an email directly to the provided address.

 Designed by Darren Silcox © 

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