Travis Payne Design, Photography, Art, & Robots.
Welcome to my portfolio!
I am a Design Professional with a passion for all things creative.
I'm particularly into Video Games, Painting & Illustration, Photography & Design.
I am currently the Creative Director at Xfire, working hands-on with product design and the development team to iron out kinks in the user experience, as well as setting the tone for the design for both the website and our desktop client. Occasionally, I get my hands dirty by helping code the QML for the desktop and HTML/CSS for the website.
I am looking to further my career in the video game industry. I am seasoned gamer, starting out in the 80s playing Karateka on my dad's Apple 2E, and more recently spending countless nights raiding dungeons with my guild in World of Warcraft. Gaming brings out my inner child and inspires me in many ways creatively, and it only seems natural to combine this passion with my career.
If you are interested in working with me, please get in touch! In the meantime, have a look at some of my work, read through my resume or try out the HTML 5 game I am developing in my free time :)
Thanks for stopping by!
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| Linked In | Blog | Art | Photography |
Examples of My Work
User Interface
& Web Design
& Web Design
Marketing
& Promotional Design
& Promotional Design
Photography
Doodles
& Illustration
& Illustration
Work History
Xfire Inc., Santa Monica, CA
December 2011 to Present
(Social Network & Application for Gamers)
Creative Director
Conceptualized and implemented the tone for Xfire as Creative Director. Guided the digital strategy and user experience for the 20 million+ user base. Managed the user experience and collaborated with product, development and editorial teams towards enhancing Xfire's online and in game engagement with its members. Drove corporate design and brand standards in conjunction with marketing department.
Aquent, Washington, DC
(Marketing Staffing Firm)
Contract Web & Graphic Designer
AARP
June 2008 – December 2011
Lead Product and Visual UI designer. Designed all web assets for both Family and Health editorial channels including photography direction & purchasing. Responsible for all design aspects of new site functionality and CMS tools. Brought the AARP Broadcast Center, Games Section, & Public Policy Institute from concept to production on AARP.org.
American Chemical Society
March 2008 – June 2008
Designed, scoped and produced the ACS Learning Management System website from high level concept through to launch. Designed concepts and website for the ACS Center for Professional Development and integrated the design with learn.com’s content management system.
June 2008 – December 2011
Lead Product and Visual UI designer. Designed all web assets for both Family and Health editorial channels including photography direction & purchasing. Responsible for all design aspects of new site functionality and CMS tools. Brought the AARP Broadcast Center, Games Section, & Public Policy Institute from concept to production on AARP.org.
American Chemical Society
March 2008 – June 2008
Designed, scoped and produced the ACS Learning Management System website from high level concept through to launch. Designed concepts and website for the ACS Center for Professional Development and integrated the design with learn.com’s content management system.
buySAFE, Arlington, VA
September 2006 to February 2008
(Internet Retailer Trust Signal - Website Bonding - www.buySAFE.com)
Web Designer
In charge of all website related updates and design. Developed marketing campaigns from concept to execution. Worked on cobranding projects with TRUSTe and PriceRunner.com designing promotional content on buySAFE.com.
Veeker Corporation, San Francisco, CA
July 2006 to March 2007
(Online Mobile Communications Website - www.veeker.com)
Web Designer / Artist
Designed & coded the veeker.com website from concept to CSS template and into production. Worked as design and HTML/CSS lead as part of a team of four engineers and two designers. Responsibilities also included promotional design and skinning of the Veeker website to accommodate sponsors including the feature film Spider-Man 3.
ThumbJive Inc., San Francisco, CA
March 2006 to July 2006
(Mobile Game Developer)
Designer / Artist
Designed user interface and all 2D graphics for AirPlay title “Call the Play Football”. Worked with a team of four developers as the design lead. Oversaw user experience and usability. ThumbJive was aquired by Veeker Corporation in July of 2007.
United Communications Group, Rockville, MD
March 2005 to December 2005
(Publishing Firm, Print & Web)
Web Graphic Designer
Worked directly with clients to develop web based promotional content for industry conferences. A member of a team of four designers taking web sites from concept to deployment in a fast paced environment often creating as many as seven websites in a single work week.
DC Life Media, Arlington, VA.
December 2002 to June 2004
(Print & Web Design Firm)
Media Director
Worked directly with clients to come up with promotional fliers and ideas for DC area events. Managed all web development, from concept to product. Developed company identity and branding, including t-shirts, fliers, posters, websites, HTML emails, ads, and international CD covers.
Buzzlife Productions, Washington, DC
September 2001 to September 2002
(Nightclub Production Company)
Art Director, Bookings Specialist
Designed all promotional material for the Friday night event, Buzz. Also was responsible for all magazine promotions and any other promotional Buzzlife events. Worked with companies including, URB, Mixer, BPM, Remix, 99.1 WHFS, Washington Post, Washington City Paper, Deep Dish Records, Yoshitoshi Shop, and Nation Night Club. As the booking specialist, Coordinated all bookings for breakbeat DJ´s from the US and abroad, also maintaining club management on specific nights.
Hi Res Studios, Washington, DC
February 2001 to September 2001
(Print Shop, Design Firm)
Graphic Designer
Responsibilities included flier and web design. Worked directly with clients to come up with promotional fliers for DC area events.
VarsityBooks.com, Washington, DC
November 1999 to July 2000
(Online Textbook Retailer)
Graphic Designer
Worked with a team of 3 graphic/web designers, responsible for setting up all HTML and design post database integration.
Recommendations
Avik Nandy
Sr. Web/Interactive Designer
What I found most interesting w/ Travis, as I had worked w/ him in a few jobs over the years, was this his work ethic and social ethic in managing his work relationships rose meteorically in speed and proficiency.
His work on various product releases for the AARP.org website always showed a detail-oriented method I really admire. Whether he was leading co-workers through a new design iteration in morning meetings, or simply sketching out ideas for new site UI elements, Travis always ensured he presented and delivered top-notch work: well thought-out designs, w/ attention to detail manifested concisely.
His ability to manage team situations well—and to lead situations—ultimately manifests the best of his total skill set. I remember him taking more and more leadership roles on projects within AARP, and as a result, I feel that it really gave him the strength / ability to lead teams effectively, like he does now.
It'd be great to work w/ him again, too. By far, one of my favorite coworkers. He always has an excellent demeanor and easily relates w/ virtually everyone around his work environment.
Marc Everett
User Experience Designer. Consultant.
Working with Travis was always so fluid and fun. I got the pleasure to work with him again while we were both at AARP for about 4 years. We had previously worked together at a small design studio several years before.
As the 2 main designers on the UX team, he and I, while also working under an Art and Design Director, streamlined our workflow from whiteboard ideation to concepts and through agile iterations with developers. Whether we were conceptualizing how we could custom tweak the backend of our content management system to ensure that products we designed would work and that they'd be easy for content management or designing custom tools for third party implementation, precision was also the focus.
Travis is driven by creative talent and common sense human factors which, in the end, makes sense in the world of User Experience. I would never hesitate to work with Travis again. I feel lucky to have gotten to work with him twice.
MaryAnne Golon
Director of Photography at The Washington Post
Travis Payne is a bright, energetic, and smart designer who understands and communicates well inside and outside his team. I highly recommend his work.
Faz Besharatian
Design Director at AARP
Travis is extremely creative and talented. He works well independently (as a remote member of the AARP UX team). He is a good collaborator in a team of cross-fntional professionals. He can joggle many projects. Travis lives & breathes online design and user experience; he is always aware of the latest tech, from apps to gadgets and games. He the kind of designer needed in any UX team.
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