TestOut | S. C. Diaz

SENIOR DESIGNER/ART DIRECTOR

When people or business become complacent, they stop living up to their potential.

OPPORTUNITY

TestOut is a company that experienced a lot of success but through the years got complacent in their business. When I was brought on as another designer to the marketing department I knew I was going to be challenged with my work, my detail, and my growth. A previous art director I had was the one who hired me and he was the one I was going to be working alongside. He helped me early on my career to take pride in my work, to do a little bit more, and not just get the job done, but do it perfectly. Shortly after coming on board though, he took another position and I was left the brand, the direction, the expectations and the work. I accepted that challenge and took it to a new height.

CHALLENGES

Although TestOut was a very successful company in their industry, there were many companies and services coming to the scene that provided a more polished, up-to-date, sexier product. TestOuts lab simulations and certifications were the best in the market, but they looked old and dated, which in turn reflected poorly on the product when up against newer technologies. I developed and designed a specific brand for each product, similar to Adobe, that had brighter colors, more tech heavy elements, and exciting imagery. But executives and sales were hesitant with change, especially when seeing sales were steady and business was good.

SENIOR DESIGNER/ART DIRECTOR

When people or business become complacent, they stop living up to their potential.

OPPORTUNITY

TestOut is a company that experienced a lot of success but through the years got complacent in their business. When I was brought on as another designer to the marketing department I knew I was going to be challenged with my work, my detail, and my growth. A previous art director I had was the one who hired me and he was the one I was going to be working alongside. He helped me early on my career to take pride in my work, to do a little bit more, and not just get the job done, but do it perfectly. Shortly after coming on board though, he took another position and I was left the brand, the direction, the expectations and the work. I accepted that challenge and took it to a new height.

CHALLENGES

Although TestOut was a very successful company in their industry, there were many companies and services coming to the scene that provided a more polished, up-to-date, sexier product. TestOuts lab simulations and certifications were the best in the market, but they looked old and dated, which in turn reflected poorly on the product when up against newer technologies. I developed and designed a specific brand for each product, similar to Adobe, that had brighter colors, more tech heavy elements, and exciting imagery. But executives and sales were hesitant with change, especially when seeing sales were steady and business was good.

ROLE AND EXPECTATIONS

“Our executives and customers expect high quality products to touch, to use, and to show.”

UX/UI DESIGN

The TestOut Software and platform is a constantly evolving system with various student labs, experiences, and worksheets. To make sure TestOut is providing the best possible experience for students and educators required a lot of user testing, changing workflows, new landing pages, and new product pages. Developing these pages to give a more simpler process and also allow students of all expertise, required a lot of user mapping and planning to offer the best ways to communicate the correct information throughout all of TestOuts products.

BRAND DESIGNER

Throughout my time at TestOut, I evolved the brand to give each product its own separate brand that allowed us to reach different demographics of customers and market to different schools, students and educators. With these changes TestOut had their best month in sales in their 30 year history of the company and continued to see an increase in need and sales throughout the company. Bringing in actual student case studies and showcasing their success, was the one campaign that help TestOut stay on top as a leader in student IT certifications.

ART DIRECTOR

Through my time I helped mentor various junior designers and individuals within the company who wanted to learn basic design skills. This was a time that I enjoyed teaching, challenging, and helping others see their potential in design and eventually develop their own campaigns. With being a small team it also allowed other departments to take initiative and allow me to give direction. Working alongside junior designers we were able to continue to develop various marketing campaigns for educators to help their students in their own success of earning various IT certifications.

ROLE AND EXPECTATIONS

“Our executives and customers expect high quality products to touch, to use, and to show.”

UX/UI DESIGN

The TestOut Software and platform is a constantly evolving system with various student labs, experiences, and worksheets. To make sure TestOut is providing the best possible experience for students and educators required a lot of user testing, changing workflows, new landing pages, and new product pages. Developing these pages to give a more simpler process and also allow students of all expertise, required a lot of user mapping and planning to offer the best ways to communicate the correct information throughout all of TestOuts products.

BRAND DESIGNER

Throughout my time at TestOut, I evolved the brand to give each product its own separate brand that allowed us to reach different demographics of customers and market to different schools, students and educators. With these changes TestOut had their best month in sales in their 30 year history of the company and continued to see an increase in need and sales throughout the company. Bringing in actual student case studies and showcasing their success, was the one campaign that help TestOut stay on top as a leader in student IT certifications.

ART DIRECTOR

Through my time I helped mentor various junior designers and individuals within the company who wanted to learn basic design skills. This was a time that I enjoyed teaching, challenging, and helping others see their potential in design and eventually develop their own campaigns. With being a small team it also allowed other departments to take initiative and allow me to give direction. Working alongside junior designers we were able to continue to develop various marketing campaigns for educators to help their students in their own success of earning various IT certifications.