Hi, Hello.
It’s Danna O
With five years of experience in operations and property management, I am now transitioning my career toward user experience (UX) design. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in UX, I have also completed various professional certifications, including PAL-I Scrum and SEO, which equip me with a strong foundation in both project management and digital strategy. My past experience includes designing websites for commercial construction companies, creating content, and managing social media.
I am actively looking for opportunities in a dynamic marketing department where I can collaborate with a well-rounded team. Through my production work for the Cleveland-based music podcast, Locle Grown, and managing Direct Link Cle, a resource platform for local musicians, I’ve honed skills in digital strategy, community engagement, and project management—valuable assets.
Outside of work, I’m a musician and have self-published a book of my writings. I love spending time outdoors with my dog, Theo, hiking and exploring new places. This year, I’m making it a point to travel more and capture those adventures on 35mm film.
Education
Master of Science, User Experience Design, Kent State University 2024
Bachelors of Art, Technical and Applied Studies, Kent State University 2022
SCRUM Mastered Certified in Agile Methodologies
Ongoing education 2024
Hubspot Academy
SEO I & SEO II Certified | May 2024 - June 2025
PODCAST PRODUCTION
Creative Projects
As a musician with a passion for audio engineering, I bring my expertise in sound and visual content to my role as a producer for a Cleveland-based music podcast. We release new episodes weekly, focusing on creating high-quality audio and engaging content that resonates with our audience. This role allows me to merge my technical skills and creative vision to deliver a polished and consistent production.
LOCLE GROWN
MUSIC RESOURCE
FOR CLEVELAND MUSICIANS
Finding resources in the Cleveland music scene is hard. As someone who has constant and direct experience with booking and reaching out to labels, I knew there was a need in my community. I created this website to help engage musicians directly with the stakeholders of venues, labels and distributors to help kick start their projects.
DIRECTLINKCLE
Professional Projects
LOOMIS COMPANIES
Loomis is a major commercial construction company, specializing in large-scale Cleveland projects, often around 1 million square feet. During my time there, I witnessed the construction of a two-floor CPA firm near Lake Erie and the renovation of several prominent lobbies across the city.
I was brought on to help transform their website into a showcase of both their impressive work and the people behind it. The focus in stakeholder discussions was to emphasize Loomis as a well-established company with “homegrown roots,” highlighting the founder’s journey from a small residential builder to an industry leader in just seven years.
PROBLEM
When I joined, the website hadn’t been updated in over two years, and the outdated templates and confusing navigation created a poor user experience. As the company had grown rapidly over the past nine months, much of the information on the site was either inaccurate or no longer relevant, disrupting the flow of key details for visitors.
When I joined, the website hadn’t been updated in over two years, and the outdated templates and confusing navigation created a poor user experience. As the company had grown rapidly over the past nine months, much of the information on the site was either inaccurate or no longer relevant, disrupting the flow of key details for visitors.
GOAL
Ensure the website is fully accessible across all platforms?
Highlight the capabilities and expertise of Loomis Companies for potential clients.
Feature our completed projects to demonstrate our track record.
Promote our range of services and spotlight our design team.
Showcase the vibrant work culture at Loomis Companies.
Provide seamless, intuitive navigation for an optimal user experience.
HOW MIGHT WE…
To identify key issues and ensure the client was satisfied with the final product, we held a meeting to discuss the new purpose of the website. We explored what content they wanted to include and the aesthetic that best represented their company’s identity.
Their top priorities were:
Design a user-friendly website.
Embrace a minimalist style using company colors.
Add a “Meet the Team” page.
Update completed projects and showcase them in a portfolio format.
Highlight their company mantra, “Design Build Execute.”
STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
THE PROCESS
Before building on the website platform, I began with basic wireframes to keep the design organized and maintain the flow. This also served as a visual tool to present to stakeholders throughout the process. Any adjustments or additions were made during these stages to ensure alignment with their vision.
Next, we focused on creating the visual content. This involved visiting completed work sites to capture photos and videos for the website. A teammate and I also created a mini video for the millwork services section to add more engaging, interactive content. With a small visual team of two, we were responsible for all aspects of design, including videos, photos, color schemes, fonts, and overall layout.
To ensure the website would effectively meet the needs of its users, we developed detailed personas representing the typical visitors—potential clients, vendors, and partners. These personas helped us illustrate to stakeholders how the website should balance user needs with the business goals of ownership. By aligning the user experience with company objectives, we were able to create a more targeted and impactful website strategy, ensuring the final product would resonate with both audiences. This approach also helped guide decisions on content, navigation, and design elements throughout the process.
PERSONAS
After several rounds of feedback and collaboration with stakeholders and team members, we successfully finalized the website for launch. During this process, we also transitioned the site from WIX to SquareSpace, which included migrating over 35 email accounts. The entire project—from content creation, copywriting, and editing to design and technical setup—took approximately three months to complete. While the website has since evolved, reflecting updates made after I left Loomis at the end of 2020, the foundation we established provided a solid platform for future growth. Much of the same elements, copy and content still exist on their page now.
FINAL DESIGN
CORECON SERVICES
CoreCon Services, a sister company to Loomis, primarily collaborated with a large real estate brokerage firm based in New York. This firm relied on CoreCon to market properties and services to out-of-state clients and potential tenants, with most projects located in Tennessee, Washington D.C., and Kentucky. They needed a website that would not only validate their credibility but also showcase the quality of their work during client proposals. Our team’s most skilled construction engineers were involved in these large-scale projects, further emphasizing the high level of expertise and professionalism CoreCon brought to the table.
PROBLEM
Core Construction required a website that investors and the brokerage firm could share with potential tenants and stakeholders. Without an online presence, many deals were at risk, as clients lacked the necessary rapport and visual information to confidently align themselves with the projects. The website was essential for building trust and providing a clear showcase of the company's capabilities.
HOW MIGHT WE…
Support investors in evaluating future projects?
Provide seamless, intuitive navigation.
Highlight the company's key information, progressing from critical details to supporting content.
Ensure quick load times and mobile-friendly design.
Showcase completed projects and key services in a visually engaging format.
Build trust with potential clients through case studies and team profiles.
Incorporate a user-friendly contact form for easy communication.
Maintain brand consistency with cohesive design and color schemes.
THE PROCESS
GOAL
Develop a website from the ground up with a focus on intuitive navigation, concise and clear content, and fast loading times across all devices.
STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
I met with the owner and project manager to discuss their vision for the website and key elements that would appeal to clients. Together, we identified the following priorities:
Highlight the services Core Construction offers.
Showcase completed and conceptual projects.
Maintain a consistent style with Loomis Companies to reflect the connection between the two.
Ensure the website appears professional and is easy to share with stakeholders.
Optimize the mobile version for seamless viewing across devices.
After completing the discovery phase of the project, I needed to choose the right platform for hosting the website. We had been using WordPress, but it presented several issues with formatting and updates. I opted for Squarespace due to its user-friendly interface, modern design options, and the ability to easily customize the mobile version of the site. Additionally, Squarespace's integration with Google Workspace for email management was a significant benefit, as the team was already using Google accounts.
Once the platform was selected, I created a wireframe to map out the user flow. I chose a continuous scroll format, allowing users to either navigate via the menu or simply scroll through the content. Given the limited text content, this approach ensured the information was delivered quickly and efficiently, making the user experience as intuitive as possible.
PERSONAS
Creating personas was essential for designing a user-focused website. By identifying key users like investors, tenants, and stakeholders, we tailored the site to meet their specific needs. This ensured the design not only looked good but also addressed user goals—making key information accessible, showcasing projects, and enhancing overall usability. Personas helped us create a more relevant and effective user experience.
FINAL DESIGN
In the final design, I was responsible for writing the copy, capturing employee photos, and ensuring the website maintained a cohesive style that aligned with Loomis Companies. To keep brand consistency, we used the same structure for the mantra and video across both sites. We strategically prioritized showcasing Core Construction's work first, followed by a team section to highlight the people behind the projects. The website now serves as a crucial tool for investors, offering a professional and unified narrative that demonstrates Core Construction’s capability to execute large-scale commercial retail projects.
Coursework
The Locale App project was developed for KSU students to connect at international school facilities.
This project focuses on enhancing the searchability and organization of the Google Doodles Archive (GDA).
This project involved creating wireframes for both a grid and single-column view for TV screen
I’m tasked with designing an interactive form that’s both usable and user-friendly.
Redesign the homepage to reduce bounce rate, improve user flow, and increase product sales by re-organizing content.
Say Hello!
I am currently open to new opportunities, freelance or even a friend.
You can download my resume or fill out the form to the right - I will be in touch as soon as I can.
Have a lovely rest of your day