Brandon Taylor

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Software / Computer Skills

• Languages
  • Proficient in:
  • Python,
  • Ruby,
  • C#,
  • VB.NET,
  • VB Script,
  • XHTML,
  • XML,
  • JavaScript,
  • SQL and
  • CSS
  • Familiar with:
  • PHP 5, Java
• Web & JavaScript Frameworks
  • Django,
  • Ruby on Rails,
  • ASP.NET,
  • jQuery,
  • Prototype and
  • Scriptaculous
• Software
  • Eclipse/Aptana,
  • Microsoft VisualStudio,
  • Adobe Creative Suite,
  • SQL Server,
  • MySQL,
  • Office and many others.
• Platforms
  • Mac OS X,
  • Windows,
  • Linux (Ubuntu)

Web Development Skills

• 13 years of professional Web development experience.
• Expert knowledge of CSS 2 and XHTML.
• Excellent knowledge of Django and jQuery. Fair knowledge of Ruby on Rails.
• Ability to code by hand to produce W3C valid, semantically correct markup.
• Good knowledge of Microformats and Accessibility standards
• Good understanding of agile, MVC frameworks such as Django and Ruby on Rails
• 2 years of experience with Django
• 1 years of experience with Rails and deployments using Mongrel and/or Apache/FastCGI
• 5+ years of experience with ASP.NET. Solid understanding of ASP.NET architecture and page life cycle.
• Can design and code normalized, relational databases using Access, SQL Server and MySQL utilizing stored procedures and functions.
• Ability to handle all phases of the development process from domain registration to deployment.

Graphic Design Skills

• 10+ years of professional print design experience.
• Excellent knowledge of print development, production, printing processes and the ability to write accurate specs.
• Excellent hand-skills for developing comps and mock-ups.
• Pre-computer production skills in addition to all major software.
• Can follow process through from concept to press check.

Education

• Oklahoma State University - Institute of Technology Associates in Applied Science, Graphic Design Technology 1996
  • Marvin D. McQueen Portfolio Award Winner
  • Dean’s Honor Roll
  • Phi Theta Kappa
• Tulsa Junior College (now TCC) Japanese Language & Studies
  • Degree not sought, but maintained a 4.0 GPA for duration of three year program.
  • Exchange student to Utsunomiya Japan, spring 1994

Employment History

• The Texas Tribune - Austin, Texas Lead Developer 2009 - Present
  • Developed texastribune.org from scratch in 4 weeks using Django and jQuery.
  • Continually develop and implement new features, increase performance and customize Django admin to meet use cases.
  • Developing an XML Rest API for Sugar CRM integration.
• Razorfish - Austin, Texas Senior Presentation Layer Developer, 2006 - 2009
  • Develop front and back end code for Fortune 100 enterprise websites using .NET, Java, Django, Rails, jQuery, Prototype and YUI for national and international clients.
  • Assessment of candidates for presentation layer development posiitions and mentoring of junior developers
  • Working at Razorfish has been an honor and a privilege. The amount of knowlege gained working on complicated, large-scale enterprise development projects is just incredible.
• AzroTech Web Solutions - Tulsa, Oklahoma Graphic Designer / Web Developer, 2006
  • Designed and coded Web sites and Web-based applications using PHP, MySQL and AJAX.
  • Concepted, designed and produced printed materials such as logos and brochures.
  • AzroTech was a great opportunity for me to show my skills as a designer across a wide variety of Websites. I handled all of the design needs for clients and internal projects in addition to doing presentation layer PHP coding and MySQL database development. I was able to increase my knowledge of PHP and MySQL significantly working there. The clients and my superiors were very complimentary of my work, and I feel the company has a much better business presence design-wise from my time there.
• Penloyd, LLC - Tulsa, Oklahoma Creative Director for Print and Web / Web Developer, 2005 - 2006
  • Concepted, designed and produced printed materials such as logos, brochures, clothing and signage.
  • Designed and coded Web-based applications using ASP.NET 2.0, Web Services, SQL Server, Access and AJAX for the Penloyd public Website, Employment Application system and ORACLE query testing.
  • Developed a small ERP system for the Glass Division.
  • Created 3-D models for clothing fixtures using 3D Studio Max.
  • Re-branded the company with a revised logo and marketing materials.
  • Oversaw development of all public facing web development and print materials. Developed intranet applications using ASP.NET. Re-branded the company with a fresh take on the Penloyd logo. Developed 3D models of store fixtures using 3D Studio Max.
• Bernard Design - Tulsa, Oklahoma Graphic Designer / Web Developer, 2003 - 2005 (as an employee; 2005 - Present as a contractor)
  • Concepted, designed and produced printed materials such as ads, brochures and logos.
  • Designed and developed ASP and ASP.NET Websites using Access and SQL Server 2000.
  • Provided on-site training and systems support.
  • Working with Gary Bernard continues to be a pleasure. I still provide freelance ASP.NET, Ruby on Rails and Django development services in addition to technical support. I designed and developed an ASP content management system and was awarded three placements in American Corporate Identity 22 from work done at Bernard Design.
• The Ad Ranch / Frenzy Group - Austin, Texas Graphic Designer / Web Developer, 2001 - 2003
  • Developed static and dynamic Websites and Web applications using Macromedia Studio, VB Script, SQL Server 2000 and Access.
  • Concepted, designed and produced logos, direct mail and other printed materials.
  • Provided IT support to internal systems.
  • The Ad Ranch was an absolutely wonderful experience, and I have lasting friendships with my former co-workers. We produced some very high quality work for companies such as IBM, Vignette and other tech companies and had a great time doing it.
• Striegel & Associates - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Creative Director, 1999 - 2001
  • Oversaw all creative services of agency and managed other on-staff designers.
  • Concepted, designed and produced a wide range of materials including radio, print and Web.
  • Interacted directly with clients during project development processes.
  • I won two Addy Awards, one Addy Citation and was published in American Corporate Identity 17. I was the youngest creative director in the company’s 30 year history. I streamlined and organized the creative workflow, implemented best practices for development and archiving of creative materials and increased billing by nearly $70k and received two raises. I enjoyed working at Striegel very much.

Awards

• 5 ADDY Awards & 3 ADDY Citations from the Tulsa Advertising Federation
• 4 Appearances in American Corporate Identity (1999, 2005)

“Flexible, talented, dedicated, and above all, committed to incredibly beautiful design and superior programming. That’s bTaylor Design in a nutshell. I have worked with Brandon for years, and he continues to produce quality work against tight deadlines, oftentimes with complex last minute revisions and complete navigational reconfigurations.

His eye for design caters to any industry and every consumer and his creative thinking and innovative technological skills continue to wow clients. I have yet to present Brandon with a concept that he hasn’t successfully accomplished - and he always exceeds my expectations” Catherine Herter Media and Community Relations Consultant Austin, Texas

“Brandon is an adept designer with the programming/backend skills and knowledge to be anyone’s one stop shop for eCommerce, Web development and design.

His extensive experience coupled with his speed - not to mention he’s very easy to work with - allows me the peace of mind that doesn’t readily come when dealing with Web products. Use him, and you will use him again” Bruce Gardner Gen*u*ine Recordings Austin, Texas