Portfolio

Web Skills

CSS/XHTML

For the last four years my primary full-time job has been the front-end user interface developer for marketing agency. I have become the expert at creating standards based (X)HTML / CSS from pre-designed Photoshop and Illustrator files. I have produced many stylesheets and (X)HTML templates for companies like Sento, FranklinCovey, and Songtouch as well as creating and maintaining the actual front-(and sometimes back) end of many current websites. Where I have complete control over the code I try to make it standards based, valid, and accessible. I try to do so as much where possible otherwise. The following are examples of my most recent work:

I have also helped with parts of FranklinCovey’s homepage and management certification application.

Flash

For four and a half years I have programmed in Flash/Actionscript, both applications and animations. I am familiar with ActionScript 2.0 and 3.0 and have been involved in several robust Flex applications. The following are some examples of my work:

Flex

For three months I was on a team of software engineers working on a complex Flex application for Sorenson Molecular Genetic Foundation. The application provides the user with his or her genetic heredity, displayed on an animated ancestry data throughout history and over geographical locations. The robust interface allowed for timeline scrubbing, map controls (similar to Google Maps), and dashboard settings. The application alos provided the user with the ability to save and email a snapshot of any point in time in .JPG form.

I know and use basic PHP and MySQL every day from the creation of simple to semi-complex backend database systems to front-end templating systems to extremely complex form pages. I have familiarity with the CakePHP framework and have used it in several of the examples above.

PHP / MySQL

JavaScript / AJAX

I am familiar with JavaScript and AJAX and have been involved in a small team of developers working on several sites for FranklinCovey using AJAX. https://www.4disciplines.com/login.php and http://6decisions.andrewb.staging.mediarain.com/voicefinder/finder.php are two that are currently viewable from the web. I am familiar with and use prototype for my newer AJAX projects.

Work History

mediaRAIN — From 2004 to the present I have helped produce more websites, templates, flash applications, banners, advertisements, standalone Flash applications, demos, admins, and HTML emails than I can keep track of. I have taken the lead as the front-end user interface expert, including studying usability and new technologies, and have played the singular, key role of interfacing the design component with the back-end component of the company. I have worked closely with many prolific, local clients like FranklinCovey, NextPage, HP-Altiris, Gary Lee Price, Halestorm, Brigham Young University, The Bay Hill Group, Melana Scantlin, UCCU and others. In each case I have quickly met their needs, sometimes working odd and last-minute hours to do so. I take pride in their level of confidence in me and have seen an increase in the work they have entrusted in mediaRAIN as a direct result of my friendliness, service, and competency.

LDS Missionary Training Center — From 2001 to 2004 I worked as a teacher/trainer and eventually supervisor in instructing new missionaries in church doctrine, formal teaching methodologies, and advanced social skills. As a result of my good work I was allowed to stay four months past the regular three-year tenure allotted to teachers in that setting.

Sundry Grocery Stores and Responsibilites — For three years prior to my two-year church service and for one year following, I was a produce stocker in several Utah grocery stores. My duties included satisfying customer needs as well as maintaining a fresh and orderly produce area midst ever-stressful surroundings.

Education

University of Phoenix — Masters in Information Systems (currently attending)
Brigham Young University — Bachelors of Arts in Sociocultural Anthropology, graduated in 2004
Lone Peak High — Graduated in 1998

Goals

It is a common thing to see washed-up web guys who end up succumbing to the temptation to rely on old skills to accomplish new tasks. This is not me. I will always be looking at the horizon, particularly in the area of front-end web development, at new technologies and new techniques.

In addition, I understand that good web development means good relationships. I will always maintain good relationships both with those I work with/for and clients that I serve.

Finally, I am and always will be a teacher. I believe that good collaborative group relationships built on co-dependency rather than inter-dependency is a necessity. So often there are folks who believe they must keep a mysterious “black box” surrounding their skill-set so as to secure their job security. I believe a healthy, collaborative web team consists of women and men who understand that they must always be teaching their skills to each other. I hope to always learn from and instruct fellow workers in whatever the setting.

Community Service

I am currently working on developing a community awareness curriculum with my wife for combating pornography in the home.
I teach and have taught community ed guitar classes for many years.
I have and am currently serving in various teaching assignments in my local congregation.
I served a two year mission to Ohio for my church from 1999 to 2001.

Other Skills

Writing — I am a proficient technical writer and have helped, on numerous occasions, with copy-writing and editing of scope documents, scripts, marketing material, and contributed to the company levity through comedic emails at mediaRAIN. I also love creative writing and have recently finished my first fantasy novel. I manage two blogs. The first is http://loveyoursong.com/ where I have delivered both scathing and praising reviews of local indie bands, as well as more popular newer artists. I also manage my personal blog at andrewbranch.com where I post weekly songs I write and record.
Leadership — From my work at the MTC and the small amount of project management I have done at mediaRAIN I have developed great leadership skills and am studying project management as well as collaboration both at school and from what I pick up from one of the clients I work the most with, FranklinCovey. I feel confident in taking the lead in group situations as well as following others’ lead wherever necessary. I love working in groups and feel that I am easy to work with as a follower and am able to lead with effectiveness and instill confidence as a leader.
Learning Curve — After studying Macromedia Flash for two weeks I was hired on as a Flash developer for mediaRAIN two and a half years ago. I take pride in my ability to learn new technologies and skills quickly and have confidence that there is nothing out of my reach. PHP, JavaScript, advanced CSS, Coldfusion, Flash Remoting, AJAX, and ActionScript 2.0 are all technologies I learned and began using at work in a matter of weeks and I am confident I can learn any other.
Teacher/Presenter/Trainer — As a result of my extensive teaching experience (six years cumulative experience teaching both paid and unpaid for the LDS Church and two years being entrusted with the training of new employees and interns at mediaRAIN) I have learned formal methodologies as well as subtleties of great teaching and feel that my final career will have some place for teaching, as it is one of my greatest passions.

Hobbies

Writing (blogs and novels)
Web Design/Development
Mountain/Road Biking
Songwriting
Playing the Guitar
Playing the Trombone
Singing
Recording
Hiking

AndrewBranch.com