About us

Dana Hutchins
Founder and President
Creative Director

“Sell people services and products that you are passionate about delivering.”

Using technology and thoughtful observation to make communication more effective, more compelling—that’s been Dana’s passion for 25 years at Image Works. Today it means studying how your patrons interact with your messages, products and services, then leveraging that little bit 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 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 www.xhibit.net.

Misty Mallar
Information Architect

Since 1998, Misty has been a key member of the Image Works staff; first as a project manager, then handling usability research and ultimately as an information architect. The rich variety of these roles has engendered Misty’s deep understanding of information design from the client, customer and web developer perspectives.

Misty has successfully managed and led interaction design for clients such as NASA Ames Research Center, Wright Express, Portland Pipe Line, MariCal, Woodard & Curran, AMN Healthcare, Artel and the Pet Health Network.

Misty enjoys her active life outside work that includes roller-blading and kayaking.

Jake Frederick
Web Developer

Prior to joining Image Works, Jake worked for several years as a freelance web developer in Portland and Boston. During this time he was responsible for creating a number of sites from the ground up, from conception to design to implementation. Jake's interest in computers and multimedia technology began at a young age, when he used a Commodore 64 to program games and multimedia experiments. Since then he has become knowledgable in a wide variety of applications and development environments on different computer platforms. He has a passion for combining programming with aural and visual aesthetics to create an immersive, multi-sensory experience.

Jake is currently pursuing an associates degree in Video and Multimedia Technology at Southern Maine Community College. Outside of work he enjoys producing electronic music, playing the guitar and spending time with his son Myles.

Nate Morse
Programmer

Nate works diligently to make IT work for the user. Since he joined Image Works in 1998, he has helped more than 35 clients achieve their online technology goals. Nate has developed database driven content maintenance and e-commerce systems as well as real-time graphic visualizations from ocean-sensors and satellite data feeds.

“If it doesn’t work for the user, well there isn’t much point to it, is there?” Nate questions.

Before joining Image Works, Nate spent five years as a C++ programmer working on embedded systems. Nate graduated from Skidmore College with a B.S. degree in Art and from the University of Southern Maine with a Master’s in Computer Science.

Shawn Smiley
Software 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 B.S. in Applied Computer Science through the American College of Computer and Information Sciences.

Heather Peters
Project Manager and Finance Manager

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 researching new business prospects. She joined Image Works in January 2002. Heather worked for Barton & Gingold in a similar capacity from 1991–1999 when she left to help startup a family-owned business, deosystems, LLC.

Heather is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Russian Language & Literature. She has two active boys ages 12 and 15. Heather is an enthusiastic runner, reader and soccer player.

Clare Potter
Senior Producer and Project Manager

Prior to joining Image Works in June of 2006, Clare spent six years at The VIA Group, LLC as Program Manager on many large scale websites, including Analog.com and OhioHealth.com. She also collaborated on information architecture and usability tasks, and led content development efforts.

Clare has been a web professional since the mid-90s, and was Director of Content at Worldview Systems in San Francisco, a travel destination company affiliated with Travelocity.com. After her move to Maine, she joined the start-up online adventure-travel company AdvertureQuest.com. Earlier, she was head of the Research Library of the California Medical Association and a writer/editor with the San Francisco AIDS Health Project.

Its her firm belief is that open, clear communications are what really drive all successful web and interactive experience solutions.

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. She is a MOFGA gardener, a New Yorker magazine devotee, an avid reader, and a self-confessed foodie.

Jason Spooner
Graphic Designer

Jason has over seven years of experience in graphic and user interface design for a wide variety of client websites ranging from e-commerce solutions to complex intranets & extranets to large public-facing site redesigns. Jason has a demonstrated expertise in creating user-centered designs that merge functionality with aesthetic appeal. Jason is also deeply involved in the areas of information architecture, project management, creative direction, site maintenance, and html production which have all allowed him to develop as a comprehensive and versatile designer.

His breadth of industry knowledge includes Healthcare, Retail/E-commerce, Government, Media, Science & Technology and Non-profit. Prior to joining Imageworks, Jason worked as the Senior Designer at xwave for seven years.

Jason received his B.A. from Colby College in 1995 and spent time studying in both 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.

Larry Needle
Art Director

Larry’s graphic design talent is characterized by his keen ability to listen to clients as they describe their business, their goals for their project, and their individual likes and dislikes. When Larry presents a design for the first time, our clients often have the same reaction: “That’s exactly what we had in mind!” Larry has been with Image Works since 1995 during which time he was nominated for an Emmy for a Maine Public Television set design. 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 (MECA) Continuing Studies program.

Larry received a BFA from the Maine College of Art. When he is not at the keys, he is straightening out sharp corners on a Katana 750 or arching hard carves on mountains across New England.

Neil Arnold
Software Engineer

Neil Arnold is a Software Engineer and Architect with more than 15 years programming and application development experience, with 7 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 websites 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.