Brad Levy's Informal RésuméI'm happily employed at present, but here are examples of the diversity of my background: Professional Expertise and InterestsI have over twenty years experience in software, hardware, and user-interface design. I also have experience in graphic design, photography, tech writing, and computer systems to enhance the organization, delivery and presentation of information. In addition, I've created and maintain web sites for multiple community and regional non-profit organizations. Experience and Expertise: ComputersI have extensive experience with C, C++, Visual Basic, assembler language, and HTML. I have experience with development environments, including Visual Studio, LabWindows/CVI and ATEasy, Windows, NT, DOS, Unix, X-Windows, OS/2, Mac, VAX/VMS, and RSX-11. Most of my work has been with PC's, workstations, and embedded systems. I also have experience with SQL, PHP, APL, Fortran, Pascal, Perl, YACC, and even a little COBOL. I've worked on large project teams (with up to 30 programmers) all the way down to shops where I was the only software developer. My areas of expertise and interest include embedded systems programming, avionics, user interface design, information packaging for presentation and re-use, device drivers, computer and video graphics, communications and Internet protocols, system/portable core library development, performance tuning, language design and implementation, and scientific programming. ElectronicsMy electronics development experience includes a weather monitoring network, avionics, test equipment and software, and energy management systems. I'm also knowledgeable and interested in video and imaging technology. While I have more experience on the digital than the analog side, I have designed analog interfaces and specialized test equipment, some for operation over broad temperature ranges with specific error limits, and worked with RF test equipment up through microwave frequencies. I've worked extensively with the 80x86, Z80, and 6809 families of processors, and am familiar with most other processor and DSP architectures. I've designed with PLD's, written test programs for custom integrated circuits, and designed printed circuit boards as well. Graphic DesignWhile living in Hashinger Hall, a residence hall for the creative arts, I learned much from interaction with students majoring in graphic arts. Since then, my design sense has been enhanced by classes in drawing and collage, and years of designing newsletters, websites, event programs, posters, mailings, handbills, signage, maps, certificates, t-shirts, buttons, and exhibit catalogs. My years of experience in photography have also enhanced my eye for design and composition. Most of my graphic design experience has been for pieces emphasizing the clear communication of information, rather than fine art. I am experienced at minimizing production costs, and designing color pieces that still print well in black and white. I also understand the design requirements, issues, and limitations of different media and processes, which allows me to optimize designs to maximize the output quality for the intended media. Here are links to some samples of my graphic design work: Logos:
Printed pieces
Fonts I combined my graphic and engineering/documentation interests to create a font that makes it easier to document equipment with 7, 14, and 16 segment displays. You can read more about the font (and see examples) here. Web DesignI took a relatively early interest in the World Wide Web due to my long-standing interest in information architecture and user interface design. Constraints of a partly rural target audience (for whom web access was frequently a toll call), and limited host features led to an emphasis of quick-loading content and conveying information than on glitz. My more recent web work has taken advantage of hosting capabilities including PHP and MySQL to implement enhanced features as time permits. These dynamically generated web pages are mostly in secure sections of the sites, accessible only to board members, but allowing automation of various board member tasks, and on occasion, polling of the target audience. When doing site design or redesign, I consider the needs of the target audience first. This has led to inclusion of content such as custom maps for event-oriented sites, complete with a photo of the event location to assist out-of-town visitors in finding the events. An example of my web design work is a complete site redesign for Kantronics, a manufacturer of radio modems. This site redesign included:
"To be honest, it's SUCH an improvement that it's not easy to find stuff NOT to like." Site usage logs since the redesign was implemented have confirmed increased traffic from
new visitors, increased access of new products, and more direct traversal within the site. While doing non-web work for another client, I implemented a simple web page on their internal network to provide organized access to the quality control procedures and forms already present on their network. Use of the page quickly spread to multiple departments, and the company soon formally adopted the page as a very good idea. This is an example of using simple tools and common sense to provide timesaving access to corporate resources, at minimal cost but to great benefit. I still maintain a number of sites for local community-oriented groups, including:
PhotographyI do a wide range of conventional and digital photography, from publicity photos to fine art. My works have been accepted in juried shows in Hays, Lawrence, and Kansas City.You can view some of my photography here in my photo gallery.
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