My mission is to design smarter products for the web.

I'm an expert in information architecture, interaction design, prototyping, qualitative and quantitative user research, product strategy and social media psychology.

Experience

Oct 2008 – Present

Product Designer | Google, Zürich and New York

Leading the design of new and existing Google products and features, from the basic concept to the final visual design. Create high level and/or detailed storyboards, mockups and prototypes to effectively communicate interaction and design ideas. Work closely with designers, researchers, product managers and engineers to develop highly useable products for millions of users.

Mar 2005 – Oct 2008

Interaction Designer and Product Manager | Cmsbox LLC, Bern

Devised and produced the eponymous web content management system. Managed the design, marketing and production teams and successfully directed the entire product lifecycle: vision, requirements, user interface design and development, documentation, business model, brand strategy, marketing concept, website, production and customer support.

Sept 2003 – Aug 2006

Research Assistant | Department of Media Psychology, University of Bern

Conducted several studies on usage, effects and design of new media. Held seminars and lectures in social psychology, quantitative methods, statistics and usability. Supervised student research projects and co-authored a textbook on media psychology. Helped to organize multiple conferences and implemented a scientific online journal for eye movement research.

Oct 2001 – Feb 2005

Usability Analyst and Information Architect | Swisscom Innovations, Bern

Established and promoted one of the first usability labs in Switzerland. Conducted usability tests and user needs studies for internal and external products. Evaluated quantitative and qualitative data and derived actionable recommendations to improve the usability of digital products. Directed design studies for new products and innovative interaction models.

Education

2001 – 2006

Studies in Cognitive Psychology | University of Bern, Switzerland

Major in Social and Media Psychology. Minor in Neuropsychology and Philosophy.

1999 – 2001

B.A. in General Psychology | University of Bern, Switzerland

1991 – 1996

Teachers Training College | Staatliches Lehrerseminar Thun, Switzerland

Activities

2008 – Present

Founder and Owner | Ginetta LLC

Started as an experiment, the Ginetta Web/Design Studio is now one of the leading user experience agencies in Switzerland. Ginetta provides user centered design services to small and large clients like Doodle, Swiss Post, University of Basel and Mettler Toledo. Ginetta offices are located in Zürich and Bern. http://ginetta.ch

2005 – 2012

Founder and Partner | Cmsbox LLC

Cmsbox™ is a cutting-edge web content management system for small and medium enterprises. The application features an easy-to-use, yet powerful and flexible layout engine that enables users to create and edit content directly on the website. Cmsbox™ has been awarded with the "Master of Swiss Web" and the "NNGroup 10 Best Application Designs". http://cmsbox.com

2006 – 2008

Promoter and System Developer | Journal of Eye Movement Research

The Journal of Eye Movement Research (JEMR) is a peer-reviewed scientific periodical devoted to all aspects of oculomotor functioning including methodology of eye recording, neurophysiological and cognitive models. http://jemr.org

2004 – 2007

Initiator and Organizer | National Conference for Students in Psychology

The National Conference for Students in Psychology (psyKo) is organized by students for students. The main goal is to provide a platform to present student research projects and connect with students from other universities. http://psyko.ch

1996 – 2001

Team Rider | Salomon Snowboards

Rider on the SSBA and ISF World Pro Tour Halfpipe and Big Air series. Participated in freestyle and backcountry photo sessions in Europe and New Zealand. I was sponsored by Salomon Snowboards and managed the Rookies Team in Switzerland. http://salomonsnowboard.com

Awards

2010

Google OC Award | Laureate

2009

RedDot Communication Design | Honorable Mention

2008

NNGroup 10 Best Application Designs | Winner

2008

BoSW Master of Swiss Web | Winner

2007

European CMS-Awards | Silver in "Design"

Publications

2009

Improving the Usability of eLearning Tools

Groner, R., Siegenthaler, E., Raess, S., Wurz, P. & Bergamin, P. (2009). Improving the Usability of eLearning Tools: The IfEL Multilevel Concept and its application to Distance Learning. Paper presented at the EADTU / ICDE 23rd World Conference, June 2009, Maastricht.

2008

Systematical Design and Optimization of User Interfaces

Groner, R., Raess, S. & Sury, P. (2008). Usability: Systematische Gestaltung und Optimierung von Benutzerschnittstellen. In B. Batinic & M. Appel (Eds.), Medienpsychologie. Heidelberg: Springer.

2008

Hot Coded Bread

Raess, S. (2008). Hot Coded Bread. In O. Gerstheimer (Ed.), Genie Essen/Chilli. Kassel: Werkstatt.

2003

Online Communication

Raess, S., Bärtschi, S., Dambach, M., Hofer, R., Marxer, S. & Groner, R. (2003). Kommunikation im Internet. Poster presented at the 8th Congress of the Swiss Society of Psychology (SGB), Bern.

Talks

February 2, 2010

User Experience and Application Design | Internet Briefing, Zürich

November 17, 2009

User Centered Design for Engineers | Institute of Computer Science, University of Bern

October 8, 2009

Advanced Usability | Institute for Human-Computer Interaction, University of Basel

June 25, 2009

Usability by Example: Cmsbox | SW-Ergonomics Event, Zürich

April 08, 2005

Interaction Design for Mobile Devices | Department of Design, University of the Arts Zürich

Skills

User Experience
Information Architecture
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Usability Testing
Technical
HTML5 / CSS3
PHP / MySQL
Javascript
Organizational
Teamwork
Leadership
Management
Communication
Software
Adobe CS
Google Apps
Apple iWork
Microsoft Office
Languages
German
English
French
Italian