Nick McKissick

Design Systems

User Interface Design

Design Thinking

Usability Testing

User-Centered Design

User Flows

Design

UI/UX Design

Available for hire fromNegotiable

Contracts

Full-Time Roles

UI/UX Design Student | Event Specialist

I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in UI/UX Design at The Academy of Art University three years into my four-year degree program. I've engaged in hands-on projects such as reimagining apps and websites, creating a professional bike-camping website (GOCO), and redesigning STRAVA using Figma and Webflow. My professional journey began with nine years as an Aviation Maintenance Technician in the U.S. Coast Guard, honing my technical expertise and leadership abilities. Currently, as a Production Assistant at TRADEMARK, I have successfully executed events for industry giants like Apple, Meta, and Lucas Films, showcasing my organizational and problem-solving skills.

Projects

My Portfolio

Designed my portfolio as a midpoint portfolio final.

Get Outside Crew Overnights - GOCO

I designed a website for my greatest passion in life, Bike-camping!

Whalefall Donation Page

My professor tasked me with redesigning Whalefall.ngo's donation page to increase donor visibility.

Work History

UI/UX Design Student

Academy of Art UniversityAs an Interaction & UI/UX Design student at the Academy of Art University, I have actively immersed myself in a comprehensive four-year program dedicated to honing design skills and cultivating a deep understanding of user-centric principles. During my time, I have undertaken hands-on projects that have fortified my theoretical knowledge and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the design community. Key Achievements and Responsibilities: Self-Initiated Professional Website: Conceptualized, designed, and developed a professional bike-camping website, showcasing a practical application of UX principles and an eye for aesthetic detail. Implemented usability testing and iteratively refined the website to ensure an optimal user experience. App Prototyping and Case Studies: Crafted compelling app prototypes for various projects, demonstrating proficiency in tools such as Figma and Adobe XD. Successfully completed a comprehensive case study for the app refresh of STRAVA, showcasing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and innovative design solutions. Collaborative Team Projects: Engaged in team-based design projects, fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring timely project completion. Developed effective communication and teamwork skills, working seamlessly with diverse team members to achieve shared project goals and deadlines. My academic journey has not only equipped me with a robust foundation in Interaction & UI/UX Design principles but has also instilled a proactive and creative approach to problem-solving. Through these experiences, I have demonstrated my commitment to delivering high-quality design solutions and my ability to thrive in a collaborative and deadline-driven environment.

Production Assistant

TRADEMARKFor the past eight years, I have been a dedicated Production Assistant/Coordinator, contributing my creativity and organizational prowess to successfully executing experiential events and holiday parties for industry leaders such as Apple, Meta, Webflow, Slack, McCallan, and Lucas Films. Precision in Execution: My role involved meticulous and flawless execution. Whether orchestrating holiday parties or experiential events, I helped with many details, creating seamless and unforgettable experiences for attendees. Vendor Collaboration and Negotiation: Engaging with various vendors, from event decorators to catering services, required practical negotiation skills. I successfully collaborated with vendors, ensuring proper execution and service quality. Coordination with Cross-Functional Teams: Experiential events and holiday parties involve collaboration across multiple departments. I fostered effective communication and coordination among creative teams, logistics, and clients, resulting in cohesive and well-executed events. Problem-Solving in Real-Time: The fast-paced nature of live events demands quick thinking and adaptability. I thrived in troubleshooting unexpected challenges, ensuring that events proceeded seamlessly, and maintaining a positive atmosphere. Client Satisfaction: Client satisfaction has always been a top priority. By understanding each client's unique requirements and expectations, I consistently helped deliver events that met and exceeded their vision, strengthening long-term partnerships. Holiday Magic with Lucas Films: Collaborating with Lucas Films at the end of every year always adds an extra layer of magic to my journey. From themed holiday parties to immersive experiences, I had the honor of contributing to events that captivated audiences and left a lasting impression.

Career transition

Career BreakJul 2013 - Sep 2016 • 3 yrs 3 mosAfter my time in the military, I took a deliberate career break to explore a few of my diverse passions and gain what would become invaluable life experiences. As a bike mechanic, I honed my technical expertise and problem-solving skills, ensuring the smooth functioning and safety of bicycles. This hands-on experience not only deepened my mechanical knowledge but also fostered a lifelong passion for bike-camping! Transitioning into the role of a yoga teacher, I cultivated a profound understanding of holistic well-being and mindfulness practices. Guiding individuals through their yoga journey, I developed strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and an appreciation for creating inclusive and supportive environments. In the vibrant coffee culture of San Francisco, I further enriched my skill set as a barista. Crafting artisanal beverages, providing exceptional customer service, and thriving in a fast-paced environment became integral aspects of my daily routine. This experience not only enhanced my communication skills but also instilled a strong work ethic and the ability to navigate dynamic and customer-centric settings. This deliberate diversification of my professional experiences allowed me to develop a broader perspective, a heightened sense of empathy, and an appreciation for the diverse dynamics of different industries. This period has not only shaped me personally but has also contributed to a more holistic and well-rounded professional outlook, emphasizing adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to continuous growth and learning. I am excited to leverage this unique blend of experiences as I embark on the next chapter of my career.

Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class

U.S. Coast GuardJul 2004 - Jul 2013 • 9 yrs 1 moDuring my nine years of service in the United States Coast Guard, I held the role of aviator and maintenance technician. As a loadmaster/dropmaster, I operated on board C-130s at Airstation Sacramento and C-144s at Airstation Miami, demonstrating expertise in ensuring the safe and efficient loading and dropping of cargo during missions. I actively contributed to special maintenance teams, undertaking heavy scheduled maintenance tasks and leading month-long deployments. In these challenging roles, I served as the lead technician, overseeing and executing critical maintenance operations, while also fulfilling responsibilities as a valued flight crew member. In my final year of service, I transitioned to a troubleshooting-based inventory and parts specialist role at Airstation Miami. In this capacity, I provided essential support for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, showcasing my proficiency in identifying and resolving technical issues, managing inventories, and ensuring optimal functionality of the aircraft fleet. My dedication to excellence and adaptability allowed me to thrive in diverse and demanding roles within the Coast Guard, contributing significantly to mission success and the overall effectiveness of the organization.

Education

Academy of Art University

Bachelor of Arts - BA, UI/UX DesignFeb 2022 - Present

Similar Pangeans

How Pangea Works

Effortlessly discover top talent

We’ve distilled the candidate search from endless hours down to just a few minutes. Using Pangea’s AI-powered search tools, you can find top fractional talent able to take on your next project. Our system looks at your company’s niche and your needs to find the perfect match faster than any traditional hiring platform.

Start working with talent today

The top talent on Pangea is ready to get started with you right now. You can message or hire a candidate right from their profile page and start assigning work as soon as they respond. And the best part? Pangea’s fractional contract structure lets you start small and ramp up as your needs change, keeping your costs manageable and your team’s capabliities flexible.

Track work and invoices in one place

Assign tasks, track progress, and complete invoices all on Pangea. We’ve combined every part of the hiring process into one platform to eliminate the miscommunication that’s unavoidable on other freelance platforms. We even send out 1099s to your contractors at the end of the year!