Olá!
My name is José Alves, I’m a creative interaction designer and digital strategist. I help businesses use design to create valuable user experiences and envision new opportunities. Over my carer, I gather extensive experience defining cross-platform strategies for start ups to established online businesses, global digital agencies to large media organisations, each time crafting beautiful interfaces that users love.
Early days:
I grew up in sunny Lisbon going to the beach, doing graffiti and skateboarding. I graduated in 2005 with a Communication Design degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon. While I was still finishing my Communication design studies, I started working as a Tutor assistant for the information design module. At the same time I was doing a few freelance gigs, mainly print design. Soon after, I realised digital was the way forward and decided I needed to train myself. Due to the lack of specialised interaction design courses in Lisbon, I move to London where I finished a Masters degree in Design for Interaction from the University of Westminster.
Work experience:
After finishing my Masters degree I changed my mind about going back to Portugal and decided to stay in London. I freelanced for a user experience consultancy in London called Empathise, but then went permanent to BBC Central UX&D. I stayed at the BBC for 1 year and a half and not only I enjoyed being part of a very successful team dedicated to deliver world class design, but also learned how to approach design problems in a genuinely user-centered, cross-platform and strategic way. While at the BBC, I defined the user experience on some world leading products and services like the BBC Homepage, BBC Mobile iPlayer and Project Canvas. After BBC, I went to work for Skype. I stayed 1 year at Skype where I was involved in developing the windows client and the redesign of Skype's website. My experience at Skype was very rewarding, I learned about stakeholder configuration and organisation, and how to manage large-scale integration documents between design, technical and product teams.
Currently:
In February 2010 I set up Framefork, a UX and design consultancy. I started consulting at the BBC working on the high profile YouView (formerly Project Canvas) I then went to work for R/GA, the company that won "Agency of the Decade" by Advertising Age and more recently, I've collaborated with Schematic , Method, Closertag and Ostmodern leading and creating seamless, sustainable and meaningful user experiences. Currently, I lead the user experience and client service capabilities of the business. My responsibility is to develop successful client relationships and ensure the business delivers compelling solutions to our clients through user-centred design.
In case it's not enough please download my CV or check my LinkedIn profile.