NB: In this portfolio I have only listed activities with which I have had direct involvement & responsibility for delivering.

User Experience SpecialistI've delivered a wide range of high value UX services to organisations across the businesses spectrum.

From FTSE 100 and 250 companies to National and Local Government, from SMEs to charities covering public facing websites, intranets, extranets, microsites, E-commerce and web tools, some of my clients include...

ServicesSome of the UX services I have delivered to these clients include:

• Requirements gathering• Card sorting• Content audit• Usability testing• Interviews• User surveys• Contextual enquiry• Expert review• Competitor review• Persona development• Scenario development• Site mapping• User journeys• Wireframing & prototyping (Visio, Axure,

Protoshare)• Etc...

Why design a User Experience?There will always be a user experience for visitors to the websites you build – it may be good, bad or indifferent.

Involving User Centred Design as part of your process will ensure you know that it will be good. Your projects will be more efficient, more profitable and less stressful and your clients will see a greater return on their web investment.

I don’t bamboozle clients with talk of “Heuristic Evaluations” and “Gestalt principles”.

I do champion quick, high value ways to find out why they aren’t getting the most from their website and show them how I can help maximise their online return.

Take a look through the examples in this portfolio and if you’d like me to help your clients do the same, drop me a line.

Jeremy Praill

ClientAshcourt Rowan

BriefBring coherence and logic to the multiple sites the client currently has by designing a site map and wireframes that bring them together. No time to discuss with users I'm afraid.

SectorFinance

ProjectWebsite integration

My roleFreelance - Interviewed internal stakeholders and used the resulting knowledge and best practice experience to build a site map and wireframes.

Documents producedSite map, wireframes.

Benefits and lessonsSite maps and wireframes can provide a great starting point for client discussions, particularly when there are various stakeholders who aren't always present at each meeting.

The tools I produced were enthusiastically received by the client and allowed everyone to start on the 'same page' and discuss the detail rather than the basics. Decisions get made more quickly and everyone knows what to expect at the end of the project.

"The site map and wireframes were perfect for our client meetings as they meant we spent time getting sign-off on details rather than simply getting up to speed with the high level stuff"

Project Manager, True Digital

ClientSky

BriefThe client is unfamiliar with UX. Try and show them some of the benefits.

SectorGlobal media

ProjectIntroducing UX benefits

My roleHead of UX, Rockpool - Introduced the System Usability Score (SUS) to a key client and used the results to develop a proposal for UX services.

Documents producedSUS questionnaire, SUS answer log, SUS results top line report, presentation of proposed services

Benefits and lessonsWhen there's little time for implementing UX services it's important to entice clients with something from the starter menu - a tasty bite-size morsel!

This proposal was a follow up to a well received user forum where I used System Usability Score (SUS) questionnaires to gather feedback from users. The results were sufficient to convince the client that improvements could be made to their core web applications and to engage us for further research.

"Jeremy’s focus on the end user always impressed me. His detailed knowledge of user experience and how to effectively glean insight from speaking to the end users before build starts made sure projects always started off on the best foot."

Senior Sky Account Manager, Rockpool Digital

ClientSky Solar+

BriefSky want to run a pilot trial for installing solar panels. Develop the site map and wireframes for a website and back end CRM work flow management system.

By the way, you can't talk to anyone about it and we need them in a week!

SectorGlobal media

ProjectWebsite and reporting system

My roleHead of UX, Rockpool - Ran a quick internal workshop to draft personas. Used these, desk research and frequent discussions with internal teams to develop site maps and wireframes. Introduced innovative interaction ideas such as using Google Street view to asses the eligibility of a property.

Documents producedPersonas, site map, wireframes

Benefits and lessonsDelivered on time (sites live within 4 weeks) and in budget due to hard work and clarity of focus (wireframes tend to provide that!). Based on their evaluation of the detailed feedback and information made possible by the website and management system, Sky Solar+ was shelved as a business idea. This was seen as a tremendous result for Sky as it saved them hundreds of thousands of pounds developing an idea that wasn't right for them.

"I want to say a huge thank you to you guys the pilot has been extremely well executed; we created a new business and got up a very steep learning curve in a very short space of time, which is testament to everyone’s dedication and flexibility at Rockpool."

Director of Sky Energy, BSkyB

ClientAspen Reinsurance

BriefThe client has already signed off most of the site design but we want you to take a UX look at the vacancies section. You have 2 days!

SectorInsurance

ProjectWebsite re-design

My roleFreelance - Conducted brief competitor research then worked with the designer to brainstorm solutions for the vacancies section using Post-it notes. Used results to draft quick key wireframes.

Documents producedDesk research notes, Post-It maps.

Benefits and lessonsEven when time scales are ridiculous, you can always apply some UX approaches and make improvements.

In this instance the revised vacancies section now had far clearer pathways for the key user groups. The client also loved some of the suggestions I'd made for development such as allowing graduates to input their degree subject and see all the different roles that existing employees do with similar degrees.

"What could you have done better? Nothing really!You’re top of my list for when we need to get extra UX help. Cheers, its been a pleasure!"

Planning Director, True Digital

ClientRockpool Digital

BriefHelp the Client Services Team understand what UX services are so they can sell them more effectively. Also, the Tech Teams want 'the absolute basics of UX on one page

SectorWeb agency

ProjectInternal training

My roleHead of UX, Rockpool - Developed Bitesize UX - a series of short introductions to UX services for internal teams. Also delivered a one page intro for the Tech Teams.

Documents producedOne page UX intros, UX fundamentals

Benefits and lessonsWhen the Client Services team that you need to sell your UX services are always busy, you need bitesize UX. A series of introductions to the UX services we can offer. The key feature was that they were easy to understand and each was delivered in no more than a 30 minute meeting.

"Jeremy’s expertise as a UX Consultant was invaluable. His attention to detail, positive attitude and helpful approach were refreshing. I very much hope I will have the opportunity to work with Jeremy again."

Project Manager, Rockpool Digital

ClientBabcock International

BriefOur client has just completed a £1.3bn takeover and now have 22 additional websites to review and potentially integrate with their existing site. Help them out.

SectorGlobal support services

ProjectWebsite integration

My roleHead of UX, Rockpool - Liaised with client and stakeholders of all 22 websites, did a content survey of all sites and produced a spread sheet of recommendations for content revision and integration.

Documents producedContent survey spread sheet, site map, wireframes

Benefits and lessonsWhen one company is taken over by another feelings can run high. Bringing in an external UX consultant when discussing the integration of websites can help.

Of course it can bring all the usual UX benefits, but introducing an independent viewpoint can also help soothe political tensions and encourage buy-in from all parties. This was the aspect most appreciated by the client.

"Right from the start Rockpool were keen to understand our market fully. Their continued enthusiasm, innovation and intricate knowledge of our complex business means that I can consider them to be an extended part of Babcock’s marketing team. I can trust them to deliver every time"

Group Marketing and Brand Manager, Babcock International

ClientFurniture Village

BriefThe client wants the entire site wireframed before it's built. We have a few videos from user testing sessions; review these and apply best UX practice where you can. Bear in mind that the client likes things done a certain way!

SectorE-commerce

ProjectWebsite refresh

My roleFreelance - Conducted desk research, quick site review and competitor review. Wireframed the key site templates and interaction design in Axure maintaining close consultation with the creative and technical teams.

Documents producedTop level site review, wireframes.

Benefits and lessonsEven when your user input is limited, you can still learn a lot from reviewing the site and those of the competition. Internal 'guerilla' testing is also great for any sticking points.

Where you think it will add value, push the boundaries but don't get precious if the client rejects your ideas. They know what has worked before and what hasn't; you are always going to be less of an expert in their field than they are, but you might still teach them something.

"The client was very happy with the attention to detail in the wireframes - exactly what they were after to let them make quick decisions!"

Project Manager, True Digital

ClientBauer Media(Today’s Golfer)

BriefHelp the client benchmark their website against its competitors and increase site revenue.

SectorNational magazine

ProjectWebsite re-design

My roleSnr. UX analyst, Nomensa - Conducted a top line usability review and card sorts with stakeholders and users. Carried out a competitor review with a 'league table' to present key metrics for ease of use. Also drafted wireframes of key pages.

Documents producedContent survey spread sheet, site map, wireframes

Benefits and lessonsCard sorting with the stakeholders can be very revealing when not even they can accurately place their own content.

The recommendations arising from this work saw both a significant increase in web site traffic to revenue generating areas of the site and a strong increase in conversions to sales.

"Jeremy is calm, focused, personable, creative and efficient. He devotes time and analysis to working out what users actually want to do when they visit a given website, prioritising features, reducing complexity and then tailoring design specs or solutions accordingly"

Senior Usability Analyst, Nomensa

ClientNational Trust

BriefImprove the website IA so that it supports effective and user friendly navigation and encourages engagement of users with the client.

SectorCharity

ProjectWebsite IA

My roleSnr. UX analyst, Nomensa - Conducted an open card sort to test the current IA. Conducted an on-line card sort to test a menu designed by their print partners. Reported on both.

Documents producedOpen card sort report, on-line card sort report

Benefits and lessonsAn IA that works in the medium of print may not translate directly to the Web, as was the case here. The card sorting exercises allowed us to develop an IA far more effective for the on-line environment. This helped the re-designed website achieve a significant reduction in bounce rates and a large increase in user interaction with the site content.

"I worked with Jeremy on high profile projects from our separate perspectives of usability and design. Jeremy has always been highly receptive to requests for information and provides accurate and timely reports. I can also recommend him personally as an intelligent, likeable and approachable individual"

Creative Director, Nomensa

ClientFuturelab

BriefInvestigate the possibilities for a digital tool that would support the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of teachers.

SectorEducation

ProjectOn-line tools for teachers

My roleSnr. UX analyst, Nomensa - Desk research, telephone interviews with teachers and stakeholders, interview report, low-fidelity prototype testing, final report.

Documents producedOpen card sort report, on-line card sort report

Benefits and lessonsPlan your interviews well and document everything as it's easy to miss things or panic during a call; you'll generally only get one shot. Also make sure you have a telephone headset to avoid a stiff neck!

This project contained a good spread of UX activities. From workshops and interviews to personas, prototypes and testing; they all combined to deliver and end result the client was delighted with.

"It was evident very quickly that Jeremy is a highly effective Usability Analyst who is passionate about his work and delivering great results for clients. He was able to communicate effectively with all our teams and clients, and it would be great to work together again. I’d thoroughly recommend him to others."

User Experience Architect, Nomensa

ClientPreston Council

BriefThe client's aim is to deliver more efficient services via a well designed, accessible website. That will become the focal point for service delivery and provision of information to customers.

SectorLocal Government

ProjectWebsite re-design

My roleSnr. UX analyst, Nomensa - Desk research, top line competitor review, usability review of website, wireframes.

Documents producedDesk research report, usability review, wireframes

Benefits and lessonsSometimes, despite your best recommendations, the client's will must prevail. I had recommended that the main left navigation was a little long and that they reduce the number of links. The client, whilst they agreed, felt the need outweighed the functionality and insisted it stay as it is. Worse things happen at sea!

The end result was still a great website that is still very ably serving the citizens of Preston.

"It’s clear that there has been a thorough understanding of the goals we wanted to achieve and the attention to detail has ensured we met them all. It’s the little touches that make the site stand out."

Head of on-line, Preston City Council

ClientParker’s

BriefReview our site and help us maximise on-line advertising revenue by increasing page views of premium content.

SectorCar guides & reviews

ProjectWebsite re-design

My roleSnr. UX analyst, Nomensa - Competitor review and usability review. Combined the results from these and user testing conducted by colleagues to inform the wireframe development.

Documents producedUsability review, competitor review, wireframes

Benefits and lessonsOne of my first big projects at Nomensa was also one of the most successful. I developed a detailed set of wireframes, demonstrating the potential benefits of suggested recommendations.

Once these improvements were implemented, the Parker's site saw an increase of 100,000 unique visitors per month and a 20% increase in page impressions in the first quarter.

"Nomensa’s approach and professionalism is inspiring and working with them will deliver us a major competitive advantage. They’ve made a massive difference to winning and keeping users, growing commercial revenues and winning more advocates to spread the word of Parker’s."

Editor, Parker’s on-line

ClientDaily Mirror

BriefIncrease unique visitors and visitor frequency through enhanced user experience. In addition, increase advertising revenue opportunities by exposing relevant premium content.

SectorNational newspaper

ProjectWebsite re-design

My roleSnr. UX analyst, Nomensa - I was one of two UX specialists who conducted an extensive review of the Daly Mirror website. Results were combined with data from user testing exercises conducted by other Nomensa team members into a recommendations report.

Documents producedUsability review report

Benefits and lessonsOnce implemented by the Daily Mirror team, Nomensa’s recommendations helped www.mirror.co.uk achieve great results, experiencing a year-on-year uplift of 93% in unique users as well as a significant return on its investment. Needless to say, the client was very happy!

"Working with Nomensa has been tremendously valuable. Their user-centric approach to web development is highly considered, painstakingly thorough and devastatingly effective. Extremely professional and decidedly human."

Head of Digital, Daily Mirror