about the gui girl

Denise Philipsen, AKA the gui girl I am web designer (sometimes developer) working as an Interaction Designer living and working in Columbus, Ohio.

My career began in 1999 as a Java Programmer for a large pharmaceutical distribution firm in Dublin, Ohio. I developed large-scale inventory management and reporting web applications used by health systems and pharmacies across the United States using technologies Java, Swing, HTML CORBA, and SQL.

Next came my first strategic career move from large corporation to very small web design firm where I was exposed a much wider array of web development technologies and techniques -- and most importantly, I got to do actual REAL design. Considering that I did graduate as an art major, this was a big deal. Aspects that I loved most about this job was the many hats one can wear when part of a small organization. I did graphic design for print collateral, online marketing campaigns and affiliate marketing campaigns for various clients, developed ordering interfaces, created email marketing campaigns and newsletters, and designed client websites.

My second strategic career move came in the spring of 2004 when a friend tipped me off about a company looking for a UI Specialist for a large-scale state project. It turns out it was the opportunity that I didn't know I was looking for. This project is currently being launched across all 88 counties in Ohio, of which I am quite proud. My incredibly imaginative friend wrote a song about me and my role on the SACWIS project.

I remained as a consultant for an enterprise software and IT services company after the SACWIS project. Soon after my role on the project ended, I was placed at BMW Financial Services where I worked on customer-facing web applications as well as helping to launch a new financial services company within the parent company. Overall, it was a good time at BMW, but I felt that somehow, the placement still wasn't really where I wanted to be.

A few months, soul-searching, and a major sacrifice later: I left consulting (at least in the corporate sense) to seek my long-held dream of working in a design/multimedia agency. I joined up with threesixone and worked on many projects with several clients, including Abercrombie & Fitch, The State of Ohio Governor's Office, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, and Max & Erma's Restuarants.

I decided to leave the organized workforce for a few months as I raised my first born. You can learn more about her here. In early 2008 I returned to working life as an independent consultant for a large university and a multimedia design company. In August of 2008, I left freelancing for a full time position as an Interaction Designer for a consulting firm. Currently I am not seeking any freelance or side opportunities as my baby girl and my full time job keep me very very busy.

about this site

This site was developed with technologies PHP, (X)HTML, Javascript. Blog technology via WordPress.

at a glance

Denise Philipsen has over 9 years professional experience working as a web developer and designer.

Some may remember Denise Philipsen as Denise Chroninger.

the professional

work experience

  • State Government
  • Retail
  • Distribution
  • Chemical/Research Industry
  • Academic/University Consulting
  • Independent Consulting

project experience

  • Inventory Management
  • E-Commerce
  • Email Marketing Campaigns
  • Identity/Brand Marketing

skills & strengths

  • Analysis
  • Information Architecture
  • Interaction Prototyping
  • User Interface Design
  • Graphic/Visual Design
  • Web Development
  • Web Accessibility
  • Team Leadership

tools & languages

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe ImageReady
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Macromedia Dreamweaver MX
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Powerpoint
  • [X]HTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • PHP
  • ASP
  • ASP.Net
  • Java