About Me
![denise hoff on her macbook](./img/welcome/profile-gray-md.png)
Tools:
![figma icon](./img/general/tool-figma.png)
![visual studio code icon](./img/general/tool-visualstudio.png)
![after effects icon](./img/general/tool-aftereffects.png)
![zeplin icon](./img/general/tool-zeplin.png)
![smartsheet icon](./img/general/tool-smartsheet.png)
![habitat icon](./img/general/tool-habitat.png)
![lucid chart icon](./img/general/tool-lucid.png)
![creative cloud icon](./img/general/tool-creativecloud.png)
![adobe illustrator icon](./img/general/tool-illustrator.png)
![adobe photoshop icon](./img/general/tool-photoshop.png)
![adobe indesign icon](./img/general/tool-indesign.png)
Skill Summary:
Scrum framework • Spec Documentation & Design Systems • User Flow Diagrams • Wireframing & Prototyping • HTML/CSS • Certified Scrum Master • Brand Guides • Illustration & Technical Art (including generative AI) • Animation • Brand Boards • Persona Development • Photo Research & Color Correction
Unicorn Skills:
Musician: conservatory-trained player, composer, and teacher • Tech-Art illustrator/animator for K12 Math and Science • Versatile communicator with design, business, development, and off-shore teams
A creative who blends artistic flair with strategic business focus.
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Education has been central to my career, from learning with dynamic teams at McGraw-Hill in NYC to running an edpub business in India and touring as a musician in Singapore and Hong Kong, giving me a unique perspective on design and content creation that resonates with diverse users.
Becoming a K/12 teacher deepened my understanding of adaptable design, crucial for UX, and taught me to meet diverse user needs. During Covid, I completed a 500+ hour UI/UX boot camp and learned HTML/CSS, reigniting my passion for UX design and enabling me to code this site from scratch.
As a UX and visual designer for Aquent Studios at Rockwell Automation, I educate customers about innovative products by designing interfaces with 3D environments, immersive holograms, and animated visuals to showcase the latest technologies.
Fun(ny) Facts
Early in my career, I played at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and on Broadway shows. Before that, I was stitching costumes for Phantom of the Opera—talk about a dramatic career change!
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During my tenure as the owner of an edpub design & production studio, I made a daring move by relocating my family to India to lead a team of 100 individuals, augmenting our US studio.
How did this whirlwind adventure happen?
While at McGraw-Hill, I took on extra freelancing gigs. One thing led to another, and soon I found myself leading a company that grew from a small design and production studio in NYC/FL to a larger operation in India. Instead of outsourcing, we became the 'outsourcer'.
Phew!
Managing a team of 100+ from across the ocean was no small feat! This experience sharpened my skills in collaborating with cross-functional teams and provided invaluable insights into the business dynamics of Indian culture.
One of my greatest strengths? Adaptability!