Nowadays, every company needs at least one team member whose primary goal is to prioritize user experience and champion new and innovative ways to tell stories. At Content4Demand, that person is Melanie Kinney. A pro at all things digital, Melanie has helped us refine our interactive experiences and even expand our offerings to include mobile-first formats like iPapers and listicles.
When she’s not studying up on new design methods and cutting-edge tools and apps, she tries to enjoy simply living in the moment. Get to know Melanie, our Digital Experience Director:
Work
Do you have a favorite blog? What is it and why?
I probably read too many blogs on a wide variety of subjects, but I think the best one, that I consistently read, is Medium. I like that they cover an extremely wide variety of topics (including design/development) from many different angles. It’s crowdsourced, so you almost never read the same perspective twice. I love the feature that allows subscribers to highlight sections of text within the article. The most highlighted section becomes green as an indication to the reader that it was the most highlighted section in the article.
What are your favorite projects to work on and why?
Over the past year, I have really immersed myself in the development of our iPapers. I had played with the concept back in 2015 but our team has really embraced the format this year. Together, we have been able to take it to the next level.
Personally, iPapers help me continue to learn and expand my skills. With each project, the C4D team challenges me with new ideas and different ways to lay out content in an interactive way. Each iPaper is an opportunity for us to think outside the box and engage users in a new way. Because we can track these web pages with Google Analytics, I’m learning a lot about what users respond to. We can see which topics do better than others, whether people are clicking out to embedded links, if they’re downloading the PDF version, etc. I love that they are ever-changing projects that offer room for growth every step of the way.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I attended Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, and graduated with a degree in Interactive Digital Design. At the time, I wanted to be a print designer and I wasn’t sure if my degree would resonate when I applied for jobs. Little did I know, QU was ahead of the curve and I now have the perfect degree for my field! I also have a minor in Sociology. By the time spring semester of my junior year rolled around, I had taken so many sociology classes that I only needed one more to declare the minor.
Play
What city do you live in, and what’s great about it?
I recently (as in two weeks ago!) moved to Boston, Mass. After living in Hoboken, NJ for four years I felt like it was time for a change. In addition, I am now a full time work from home employee!
In the short time I’ve been living here, I’ve really enjoyed two things. One, the amount of new and fresh restaurants I have to test out. And two, my yoga studio, Sadhana. It’s only two blocks from my apartment and is a really great way for me to get out of the house.
I’m looking forward to exploring all the history and culture the city has to offer. Suggestions are welcome!
What’s your motto?
“Be here now.” I actually have it tattooed on my ribs. With all the technology and gadgets we have, it’s easy to be distracted. I try to focus on whatever’s happening in the moment and not worry about my social feeds or the things I can’t control. It’s a little ironic, given that I work in the digital world, but I think it’s really important to unplug and focus on the now.
What’s your favorite movie based on a book?
My favorite book/movie is “The Silver Linings Playbook,” written by Matthew Quick and directed by David O. Russell. I read the book first, because as you know, the book is always better. I was pleasantly surprised. It is, in fact, the same story but told in a different way, almost as if someone else wrote about the same story.
Stay tuned for our next Staffer Spotlight in December!
