UX/UI Experience Designer
hello@karenabney.com
502.640.1140
A UI/Visual Designer with over thirty years experience as a graphic designer, creative director, and business owner, providing strong creative leadership and management skills for project design teams. Experienced in creating user-centered strategic communications and branding programs via cross platforms for corporations, product and retail accounts, and healthcare. A consummate learner, Karen brings the ability to translate her skills and design sensibilities to all forms of new media.
Professional Experience
2013 – Current | UX Digital Visual Designer
Humana, Inc., Chicago, IL, Louisville, KY
Digital Solutions Team, User Experience
Work on UX Team to develop responsive design solutions for web and mobile, strategizing with internal business owners, project managers, UI Architects and front-end developers on outward facing and internal sites and apps.
2009 – 2012 | Design Director
Solid Light, Inc., Louisville, KY
Comprehensive Museum and Exhibit Design Services
Led project design teams in concept, design, and production of interpretive exhibits, wayfinding and signage programs, and interactive projects.
2007 – 2009 | Marketing and Development Director
Dreams With Wings, Louisville, KY
Non-profit organization providing services for developmentally disabled
Designed and produced all marketing and promotional materials. Led fundraising efforts including grant searches and writing submittals, and public and private fund development.
2005 – 2007 | Communications Liaison
Annie E. Casey Foundation/Making Connections Louisville, Louisville, KY
Non-profit Community Development Organization
Member of management team. Designed and produced all marketing and promotional materials, and participated in community organizing events.
1988 – 2005 | Principal, Co-founder/Owner, Creative Director
Abney/Huninghake Design Group, Louisville, KY
Graphic Communications and Marketing Firm
Established and managed design firm, growing it from a staff of three to a staff of ten, with over $1M in annual revenue in ten years. Provided award-winning graphic design and marketing services to a diversity of clients in a variety of industries. In 1997, established and co-managed subsidiary design firm – TrueNorth, LLC, an environmental design firm specializing in wayfinding and signage program and graphics in the built environment for healthcare, retail, and museum venues.
Work experience prior to 1988 available upon request
Accomplishments
Karen has garnered over 100 international, national, and local design awards including awards from the New York Art Director’s Club, Dallas and Houston Art Director’s Clubs, the Louisville Advertising Club and Louisville Graphic Design Association. Her design work has appeared in PRINT Magazine, HOW Magazine and many graphic design annuals. Karen is a founding member and past Vice-President of the Louisville Graphic Design Association, and a member of the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers.
Education
Central Academy of Commercial Art, Cincinnati, OH.
Graduate of the prestigious art and design program.
DESIGNATION Labs, Chicago, IL.
Currently enrolled in a dynamic learning venue at DESIGNATION, a career accelerator for digital designers that teaches the latest in UX/UI principals, Visual Design as it relates to the digital world, and front-end web development.
Skills
Proficient in CS: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, wireframe program OmniGraffle and Axure, various coding programs and WordPress, administrative programs Microsoft Word and Excel.
Personal information available upon request.
Professional references available upon request.