Mike Rusczyk
Welcome
This site can be considered part portfolio and part chronicle of works and projects that I have had the privilege of participating in. A glimpse into my origins, brief insight into process and methodology, my insights regarding art, design, marketing, and the creative process.
Where
My background is in the culture of skateboarding and the industry of action sports. I believe my history with skateboarding has given me a vast understanding of what it takes to build and maintain a lasting brand impression. Skateboarding is a very finicky industry and for brands to last you have to have strong core fundamentals and a great identity that communicates something real to your audience.
I have first hand experience with the ebbs and flows of maintaining a brands identity across market changes, cultural shifts, and a wealth of communication campaigns and materials.
Process the Tao of How .01
Every process is part of the steps we take toward discovery
The formula is fast becoming form and the definition of process is now everywhere. I believe there is a lot to be said for discovery and learning along the way. In the world of User-Centered Design process is everything: research, targeting, prototyping, feedback, iteration, documentation. This round robin of usability design is paramount in the process of building products that enhance the lives of the audience.
“Process is more important than outcome. When the outcome drives the process we will only ever go to where we’ve already been. If process drives outcome we may not know where we’re going, but we will know we want to be there.” — Bruce Mau
Be empathetic while having good instincts
My approach in most creative acts is to study hard, use process to solve problems, listen to my instincts, be humble when applicable, admit defeat on occasion, celebrate discoveries, and learn from each iteration.
The new old hat, 1. 2. 3.
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Walk it out and do your homework
Discovery / realize the need / identify problems / research the channels - interviews, personas / ideation / sorting of cards
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Building dialog as quickly as possible
Low fidelity problem solving / pen and paper / prototyping / wireframes / soft proof of concept
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Informed construction, what have we learned
High fidelity process / communication frameworks and design building blocks / design pattern construction / Hi-Fi output / vivid prototypes
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Refining a dialog
Design / build / feedback / feedback on feedback / Iterate / refine
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I am produced, the product
Results / outcome / business documentation / published patterns / large scale user feedback / analytics
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What did we learn, rinse and repeat
Learn form data / user testing / refine requirements / cycle changes / document pattern changes / Iterate again
In short... Process is important and results are very important. There will always be a dialog between right, wrong, and just enough, the art is to navigate the waters with the correct intent and produce results that are appropriate for the goal at hand.
Selected Work .02
Enphase Projects & Strategy
Role: Brand / Creative Direction, UI/UX Design, Web Development, Customer Experience Design.
My primary focus is to assist in the development of a singular brand tone via all communications and all marketing based brand touch-points.
Enphase Brand Goal
Establishing continuity across all brand, creative, and marketing touch-points. Establish brand design and marketing frameworks for reaching direct to consumer and business to business market segments.
Background: Leader in solar and renewable technologies, a pioneer of disruptive products in the the renewable energy space.
Outlined are number of projects illustrating standardization of design frameworks, brand tone, and marketing strategy in execution.
Digital Brand Experience
Enphase Design System and UI framework pattern guide, bringing harmony through execution. Tools for standardizing UX/UI across multiple web and digital properties and devices.
Brand Pattern Tools + Digital Documentation
Colors, Typography, Icons, Buttons & Links, Forms, Grid Framework, Mobile Framework, UI Modules
enphase.com
Primary information and marketing hub for consumers and b2b markets.
Features: Robust help center with thousands of topics, videos, and training materials. Drupal based CMS driven localization allowing for a wide range of different content per geography. Giving enphase.com a curated and localized experience in 20+ countries. Highly flexible marketing landing page engine and advanced blogging tools.
Accessibility & Devices enphase.com
Accessibility for all audiences and all devices is paramount for Enphase. From the interested consumer learning about solar to the solar installer accessing help content in the field, a great experience on all devices matters.
Results & Accolades
- Brand: Brand consistency, standards, intelligent content, and digital advertising drive heavy organic traffic to enphase.com. Direct traffic and Branded search terms continue to climb sharply.
- Awearness: Strong traffic due to a major revision of our Enphase Support Center and inbound blogging strategy. Enphase Support Center boasts 70% of all Enphase traffic, Enphase blog content is gaining momentum to be direct second to support traffic.
- Conversions: Design and development of digital lead generation web application. Enphase Solar Installer Locator tools resulting in 80% close rate - Consumer to Solar Installer leads.
- Awards: W³ AWARD GOLD / WEBBY AWARD Best Energy Website
Projects & Points of Interest
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Enphase / Design System Role: Director of UI/UX, lead front-end developer, lead designer
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Enphase Stories / Blogging Engine V2 Role: Art direction / All UI/UX design / All front-end development
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View Dynamic Glass Role: UX / UI Design / All Website Development
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Zenni Optical / e-commerce Role: Lead UI/UX direction / HTML/CSS prototyping
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Quattrocchi Kwok Architects: QKA Role: UI/UX design / Front-end development, Drupal development
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Etnies Footwear & Apparel / e-commerce Role: Lead UX / HTML & CSS framework
Closing .03
Statement on the future + contact info
In the attempt for transparency and a lesson in humility please understand that this micro portfolio is still very much a work in progress.
Over the next couple months I’ll be expanding and building upon the groundwork that is represented here. In tandem I’ll be developing the OFAD effort to produce and showcase Art & Design form the community that is our foundation and our friends. Please stay tuned If your interested in who we are and what we make.
If you are interested in working projects together, growing something great, or getting to know OFAD more personally do not hesitate to reach out via any contact medium.
Thanks for being here, appreciate it...
— Mike