Alumni Spotlight

Currently I work for 40Digits (40digits.com), a small web development company that specializes in development and user-experience design for advertising agencies and in-house marketing departments.

To put it simply, I work with clients to plan their projects, research their audiences, and develop wireframe designs to create a cohesive experience for the user before projects go into design and development phases.

As of the beginning of 2013, my position has been slowly transitioning into more of a Front-End Developer role, which involves not only how we view sites but also how they’re developed. For example, the market has been saturated with mobile users. As web developers, we are expected to deliver a great experience through multiple device platforms: mobile, tablet, and desktop.

Last fall, 40Digits was looking at doing pro-bono work for a Springfield non-profit. Since I initially became involved with the Doula Foundation through Sherry Cook’s advertising class, and the Foundation needed a website; with that, we had made our selection.

The Doula Foundation (doulafoundation.org/) was thrilled at our offer, and we partnered with a local design firm in Springfield, Departika, to design and build them a new site. The site was launched at their annual Artcetera gala event this spring.

My education has helped me in several ways. As a user-experience developer, my overall goal is to positively impact the user experience and ultimately, the brand. I also need to meet the goals and needs of my clients. Those needs and goals include branding, visual design, usability testing, user research, personas, prototyping and concepts, just to name a few. My education helped me to apply my marketing knowledge to the digital arena.

Some other ways my education helped me is through team projects from my Ad Promo classes. I currently work in a small team environment, and we all depend on each other’s executions to finish a project or goal. Having group project experience going into my current position was a tremendous help!

The large amount of industries I’ve been exposed to. To name a few: enzymes, mobile app development, health insurance, real estate, non-profits and most recently, architecture firms. Each project allows me to understand each industry in greater detail.

Stay involved and take time to learn something new. When I sent my résumé to 40Digits, I applied as a Front-End Developer. However, only after talking with one of the owners, did I realize he was part of the MSU AD Team several years ago. Even though it was only a small connection, it helped me secure a position in user-experience design. MSU has many active clubs and after school programs. Not only will you make lasting connections, but it will put you ahead of your competition.

Finally, take initiative to learn something bold and new. One never knows when it may come in handy. The Internet is a vast knowledge base with many videos, articles and tutorials all there for you to absorb. I personally take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour per day to learn something new. Simply put, knowledge is power.

At the moment, my professional goals are to support 40Digits in their new Kansas City office as we take on new endeavors. As for personal, I’m looking at developing myself in other disciplines which both aid 40Digits and me. Most importantly, I’d love to take the knowledge that I already have and put it towards side projects.

Now it’s not all work and no play; in my free time, I’m working out the details for a two-week long trip to Europe this fall. It’s been 16 years since I've come to the United States from Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is so much to catch up on, and two weeks just doesn't seem long enough.

I've only been in Kansas City since February, so I've been somewhat limited in exploring, especially with the cold weather we've had. I like visiting the different districts, lounging, Royals baseball, The Nelson-Atkins Museum and exploring the varieties of different eateries KC has to offer compared to Springfield. You know–the touristy stuff for the first few months. I have yet to attend the First Friday in Kansas City. I hear it’s a wonderful experience