About Mike Morkes

Throughout my career, I have been a self-starter. A strong dose of curiosity often leads me to jumping into learning new concepts and technologies. Whether it’s learning a new technique for programming in HTML and JavaScript, utilizing a new design tool, or finding new ways to more efficiently use my computer and software, I’m always researching and implementing online training solutions. My willingness to learn a new piece of software or a new way to code has stretched my abilities, and made me a more valuable asset companies can leverage for new revenue opportunities.

Because of my years of design experience, plus my training and on-the-job use of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, I am a unique fit for companies that need an employee who can adapt quickly to new scenarios in both UI/UX as well as front end development.

If you hire me, you will be adding a team member with years of web, interactive, and print design experience, coupled with a desire to always push myself and learn more.

Click here to download my resume in Word format.

Click here to download my resume in PDF format.


UX Developer

Hobby Lobby, November 2017-Present

  • Adjust themes and layouts with HTML5 and CSS at the code level
  • Write & maintain JavaScript for frontend interaction and feedback
  • Implement responsive designs layouts for various form factors such as mobile, tablet, and desktop applications
  • Manage timelines and project workflows between various teams and disciplines
  • Investigate and develop skills in new UI frameworks & technologies
  • Use a variety of approaches to solve problems, choosing the best solution
  • Consult closely with management and other departments related to projects and tasks
  • Identify and adapt application to changing requirements
  • Create prototypes during requirements gathering phase of projects
  • Research and implement accessibility options for vision-, hearing-, and mobility-impaired customers

Owner/ Creative Designer and Developer

Nick of Time Design, August 2005–November 2017

  • Founded and manage freelance design and development company
  • Effectively collaborate with clients in several different business sectors
  • Research and implement new web technologies that benefit new and existing clients
  • Create effective solutions for business websites using HTML5, CSS3, Wordpress/PHP, and JavaScript

Senior Interactive Designer

The Oklahoman Media Company, August 2006–Present

  • Principal resource for rich media design and development, including advertising, email blasts and splash pages
  • Coordinate consistent UI/UX themes between editorial and advertising
  • Mentor and train print designers in rich media production
  • Utilize online training and research new technologies
  • Initiated and led committee to research and implement a new ad ticketing system that saves time and reduces miscommunication, avoiding costly reruns
  • Creating revenue opportunities for sales staff through research of new ad units
  • Extensively use HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript

Art Director

Limousin World Magazine, February 2002–August 2006

  • Created effective and memorable designs in magazine layout and logo creation that increased ad and subscription sales
  • Initiated and implemented a new magazine design and layout, including a style guide that garnered renewed interest from former subscribers and led to more renewed subscriptions
  • Redesigned and developed a new website with speed improvements that targeted customers with slower connections, allowing more online subscription orders
  • Implemented a new workflow and constructed a new workstation for photo scanning and editing, which allowed the company to open a revenue stream selling large-format photos from various events and sales

Interactive Designer (contract)

Card2Net, August 2001–February 2002

  • Created memorable interactive content for optical media business cards
  • Took the initiative to learn Macromedia Flash to expedite order fulfillment
  • Designed and developed unique websites for clients

Interactive/eCommerce Designer

PSINet, May 1999–May 2001

  • Designed and developed websites for local companies
  • Took lead role on design and production of interactive CDs for use in sales
  • Performed tech support for customers who purchased self service eCommerce packages

Graphic Designer

University of Central Oklahoma, April 1996–May 1999

  • Designed posters, brochures, and catalogs
  • Created and maintained the first three iterations of ucok.edu
  • Mentored student employees

University of Central Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design, 1995

OK Coders Boot Camp
Back End Development, Node.js and MondgoDB, July 2016

Certifications

Free Code Camp Front End CertificationFree Code Camp
Front End Development Certification, June 2016

Other Training

Code AcademyCode Academy
JavaScript • PHP • Learn AngularJS • Learn Sass • jQuery

Code SchoolCode School
Try PHP • Close Encounters with PHP • Shaping Up with AngularJS • JavaScript Road Trip 1-3

"Mike is an extremely dependable, hard-working person. His interactive/design skills are rock solid, he can quickly adapt to new technology, and he is always willing to take on new challenges. He works well as part of a team or on his own. I managed Mike for a number of years and would strongly recommend him. He's professional, accurate, and always delivers."

Joseph Hopper, Owner/President, Fluxx Marketing


"Mike's graphic design skills, website design and overall knowledge of computers and software were definite assets to our business. I continue to work with Mike on freelance projects from time to time and he never disappoints."

Kyle Haley, Marketing Specialist, Precision Marketing


"Mike has the foresight to see the end result before even starting a task allowing him to make the necessary adjustments along the way to achieve his goal with the highest level of quality. He is very detail oriented and does not settle for second best from himself or his colleagues. Mike believes every task he is working on is the most important and treats his job as such."

Todd Hough, Copywriter, Mason & Moon Advertising

The Oklahoman Employee of the Month, Marketing
January 2016

OPUBCO Publisher’s Club, 2012

  • 6 Inky Awards (Online Ad of the Month)
  • Error-Free, 6 Months (award discontinued in July)

OPUBCO Publisher’s Club, 2011

  • 7 Inky Awards (Online Ad of the Month)
  • Error-Free, 1 Year

OPUBCO Publisher’s Club, 2011

  • 2011 Best of Show, Online Advertising
  • 4 Arty Awards (Online Ad of the Month)
  • Error-Free, 1 Year

  • web design and front end development, including:
    • HTML
    • CSS
    • JavaScript
    • jQuery
    • Angular
    • PHP
    • npm and nuget
  • Wordpress template development
  • digital/rich media ad design
  • email blast design and development
  • logo design
  • print design
  • strong proofreading skills

Proficient With:

  • Visual Studio & Visual Studio Code
  • Coda
  • git
  • terminal
  • Photoshop
  • Indesign
  • Illustrator