We are a small team of high-energy professionals who listen carefully to our clients
and work with them collaboratively throughout the development process.
We are constantly improving our work product and processes. We approach each project
as its own unique challenge and bring a fresh perspective to it.
We ask ourselves on each new project, "What do we need to know and what do we need
to do to deliver the most cost-effective and successful results possible on this project?"
Dana Hutchins,
Founder, President, Creative Director
For more than 32 years Dana’s passion has been learning how to engage users more
effectively and profitably, and doing it in ways that are rewarding for end users
as well as for his clients.
Today it means studying how people interact with clients' messages, products
and services, then leveraging those little bits of insight into much larger gains
and results.
Business people, educators, scientists and inventors all seek Dana out for consultation
on the latest human-computer interface techniques, social media and design processes.
He brings a balance of experimental openness and “prove it to me” skepticism to
the application of new technology. His methodological mantra is: "Build better behavior-
probing protocols and prototypes.
"New technologies are like new territories to explore. The best way to find your
way is with a local as your guide. For me, that's young people. They see the possibilities
and problems very quickly. Our work with kids is giving us valuable insights into
what works, what doesn't and why on the web and elsewhere. Now we are applying those
insights in powerful ways for our clients," says Dana.
For more on one of Dana’s latest projects go to
XhibitNet.
Misty Mallar,
Information Architect, Project Manager
A key member of the Image Works staff for over 11 years, Misty has fulfilled numerous roles
including project management, business development, usability research, and information architecture.
The rich variety of these roles has contributed to her deep understanding of user experience
design from the customer, client and developer perspectives.
Misty has successfully managed and led interaction design projects for clients such as NASA Ames
Research Center, AMN Healthcare, Unum, Artel, Pet Health Network, and the Gulf of Maine
Research Institute.
Misty has a BA in Psychology from the University of New England, and seeks to apply her knowledge
of human motivation, behavior and cognitive processes to create engaging and successful user
experiences.
Shawn Smiley,
Solutions Architect, Programmer
Shawn joined Image Works in July 2004 after working for 8 years at xwave as a Software Architect
and Senior Developer. Shawn's areas of expertise include designing and building secure,
maintainable database-driven applications that deliver a robust solution to both the customer
and to the end user.
Shawn's mantra is "Do the simplest thing possible to solve the problem, but no simpler."
Shawn holds several software and database design and development certifications and is a member
of the World Wide Institute of Software Architects. Shawn is currently completing his BS in
Applied Computer Science through American Sentinel University.
Neil Arnold,
Software Engineer
Neil Arnold is a Software Engineer and Architect with more than 17 years of programming and
application development experience, with 10 of those years designing and developing high-end,
dynamic, database-driven websites. He has extensive experience in the entire development
life-cycle from small brochure web sites to multi-million dollar web-based applications for
state governments.
Neil's diverse background enables him to understand all aspects of building applications and
provides the basis for designing applications that are reliable and flexible enough to meet client needs.
As a leader, Neil provides mentoring and guidance to other software architects, engineers,
and programmer/analysts.
Jake Frederick,
Flash Developer
Jake has over 8 years of experience developing rich client-side experiences for web sites and
kiosks. He has worked with clients such as the Harvard Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts
Mental Health Center, Unum, Back Cove Yachts, Visionmill Studios, and Pet Health Network.
Jake develops in Flash, Flex, AIR™ , and AJAX.
Currently, Jake is working toward a fine arts BFA in New Media at Maine College of Art
where he is focusing on generative art. Outside of his busy work and school life,
he enjoys music production, playing the guitar and spending time with his son.
Larry Needle,
Art Director
Larry has over 16 years of graphic design experience across a broad range of mediums including
television, textiles, sporting goods, and digital media. Larry's passion for his work is evident
in his ability to blend usability with refined artistic sensibilities.
His work has received numerous mentions including an Emmy nomination for his work on 'e-Maine'
with Maine Public Television.
Formerly, Larry was with Think New Ideas in Boston and was responsible for such accounts as
Houghton Mifflin Publishing, John Hancock and Bank Boston. He spent three years as Professor of
Digital Imaging for the Maine College of Art Continuing Studies program.
Larry received a BFA from the Maine College of Art in 1995. When he is not at the keys, he is
continuously improving his work or finding ways to return to Easter Island.
Jason Spooner,
Graphic Designer & New Business Development
Jason has over 7 years of experience in graphic and user interface design for a wide variety of
client web sites ranging from e-commerce solutions to complex intranets and extranets to large
public-facing site redesigns. His breadth of industry knowledge includes healthcare, retail/e-commerce,
government, media, science and technology and non-profit.
Jason has demonstrated expertise in creating user-centered designs that merge functionality with aesthetic
appeal. He's also deeply involved in the areas of information architecture, project management,
creative direction, site maintenance, and HTML production. This knowledge has allowed him to
develop as a comprehensive and versatile designer.
Prior to joining Image Works, Jason worked as the Senior Designer at xwave for 7 years.
He received his BA from Colby College in 1995 and spent time studying in London, England and Seville,
Spain.
Jason enjoys digital recording and also maintains a double life as a songwriter and musician
performing both solo and with his band around the east coast.
Heather Peters,
Finance and Project Manager, Web Developer
Heather enjoys all the problem-solving aspects of her position at Image Works from planning cash flow
to managing client requests to troubleshooting network devices to coding up web pages.
She joined Image Works in January 2002. Heather worked for Barton & Gingold in a similar capacity from
1991–1999 when she left to help start up a family-owned business, deosystems, LLC.
Heather is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a BA in Russian Language & Literature.
Clare Potter,
Senior Producer, Project Manager
Clare has been a web professional since the .dot com industry emerged in the mid-90s. In San Francisco,
she was Director of Content at Worldview Systems, a travel destination company affiliated with
Travelocity.com. After her move to Maine, she joined the start-up online adventure-travel company
AdvertureQuest.com. Before her move into web development, she was head of the Research Library of the California Medical Association
and a writer/editor with the San Francisco AIDS Health Project.
Prior to joining Image Works in June of 2006, Clare was an associate at The VIA Group as
Program Manager on many large-scale web site development projects.
In addition to project management, she also collaborates on information architecture and usability studies,
and leads content development efforts. Clare has a MPhil in American Studies from the George Washington
University, a MIS from Syracuse University, and a BA in History and English from Upsala College.
Liem Khuu,
Flash Developer
Liem is a multi-talented developer now focusing on ActionScript 3, Flash and Flex. He is proficient in several programming languages including Visual C++, JSP, J2EE, EJB, JavaScript, OpenGL and PHP.
While employed for five years at Maxym Technologies in Biddeford, Liem coded the MS Windows version of Maxym’s CAD/CAM software for controlling a CNC computer-controlled machining system robot, and also developed their touchscreen interface for embedded Linux and other projects.
Liem is on the Dean’s List at the University of Southern Maine where he is completing a Computer Science degree with a minor in mathematics.