Projects

Portfolio for Jonathan Reid

 

I have been involved in many user interface projects. Some of the highlights:

DocBase Direct

At Core Business Solutions, I was in charge of redesigning the exisiting user interface of DocBase Direct™ to make it more user-friendly, standards-compliant, and browser and platform independent. In addition, I desiged and implemented new features. The application is written in PHP with a DHTML user interface with heavy Javascripting and CSS. I also did extensive PHP development and Perl scripting.

DMGenetics

I was in charge of working with the domain experts (geneticists, molecular biologists, and so forth) and Human Factors experts to create the user interface. Our goal was to create a user interface that was consistent and, above all, user-friendly. The first prototype of the UI was done in still screen shots, and the second prototype was done using DHTML.

I'm a PC

At Crispin Porter + Bogusky I was the lead user interface developer on the Microsoft "I'm a PC" project. I lead the charge on a team effort to architect and implement a deceptively simple idea: an animated "infinite" wall of user generated content that allowed users to view content and create and submit their own. The restrictions from the client were simple: no Flash (as it is a competitor's product) and no third party Javascript libraries. We implemented the whole project using DOM-based scripting, leveraging some aspects of the Microsoft AJAX javascript library. We ended up with complex piece of software that provided a uniform and compelling experience to 99% of the users on the web. I was responsible for architecting and implementing the user interface Javascript, CSS, and the XML feed it consumed, coding much of the interface, and managing a team of developers during the final sprint.

Whopper Sacrifice

Another project at Crispin Porter, this time for Burger King. We created a Facebook application that enabled users to delete or "sacrifice" people on their friends list. Ten "sacrifices" earned the user a coupon for a free Whopper. It turned into one of the most successful applications on Facebook. I helped implement the logic involved in deleting the friends using the Facebook Javascript API. The project is currently up for a Webby.

www.vw.com

Volkswagen is another client of Crispin Porter, and I worked on several aspects of the project. Originally a very Flash-intensive site, the client wanted a faster and more accessible experience, so we rearchitected the site to use HTML in many places where Flash was unnecessary. The new Highlights section for each model (for example, the Jetta) was initially done in Flash and I redid the entire widget using semantic markup and progressive enhancement without loosing the compelling interaction. Other parts that I worked on: the VW Model Lineup (originally done entirely in Flash, I converted it into a DHTML widget that is based on semantic markup that is progressively enhanced with Javascript and an XML data feed) and the Clean Diesel Vehicles page of the TDI Blog.