My name is Caitlin and I do Design

Designer, Developer, Dog Lover

My name is Caitlin Waters (formerly Caitlin Wanta) and I am from the fabulous city of Columbia, Missouri. I graduated from The University of Missouri here in my hometown, earning a degree in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design. I also have a minor in Art History, but that is neither here nor there. Currently, I am employed by the Daniel Boone Regional Library where I build and maintain their Digital Branch, among other things. I didn't always do Web, though. I got my start doing almost exclusively Print work but as the fates would have it, I found my true calling and am now a devotee of our Digital Overlords. Within the digital medium I have extensive experience with responsive web design, UI/UX, as well as a variety of coding languages including HTML, CSS, Javascript, and PHP. I've also worked extensively with Word Press creating custom sites for a variety of freelance clients from government entities to non-profit organizations and individuals.

From my initial training in Fine Arts to my first job in Advertising and Promotions and beyond, I have had the opportunity to work in many different fields; however, my true passion is not simply building websites but passing on what I have learned to others through classes and education. I served as Chapter Leader for the St. Louis branch of Girl Develop It from 2014 though 2015 where I was able to organize meetups and classes for young woman looking to jump into the world of code, just as I have. Since moving back home, I have been able to further expand my personal mission by leading the Columbia Public Library in offering monthly coding classes for children through The Hour of Code. We have since been able to expand these by offering a coding boot-camp for teens this past summer. You can check out our upcoming coding classes on the DBRL website!

After spending a year in the BIG CITY working at a high-stakes start-up, I am happy to be back home in Mid-Missouri. I live with my husband and our two three FOUR dogs Oliver, Kaya, Remi, and Gambit. I volunteer with the Central Australian Shepherd Rescue and Support and help my mother on the Wooded Dell Sheep Farm. When I'm not volunteering, I enjoy painting, reading Sci-fi, and crocheting. I also fly a lot of internet spaceships on Eve Online where I was invited to speak at their annual North American convention in Las Vegas two years in a row. You can watch both my talks from 2016 and 2017 on YouTube.

Education

• University of Missouri, Columbia

  Master of Library and Information Science with an Emphasis in E-Learning Technologies

  Expected Graduation date: Fall 2019

• University of Missouri, Columbia

  Bachelor of Arts in Art with an Emphasis in Graphic Design

  Graduted: Summer 2013

Employment

• Web Developer

  Daniel Boone Regional Library - Columbia, MO

  January 2016 - Present

  Act as the lead developer for the entire regional library system serving over 200,000 people. Design and develop all websites and applications including the DBRL Digital Branch, program database, and digital archive.

  Created foundation for the Library's coding classes through the Hour of Code. Expanded classes to include summer coding boot camps for teens and continue to teach classes for ages 8+.

• Lead UI/UX Designer

  Infoplus Commerce - St. Louis, MO

  July 2014 - January 2016

  Maintain quality of user interface for all forward-facing elements of the Infoplus software. Includes strategic planning, design and implementation of production quality code.

• UX Designer / Frontend Developer

  MBS Direct, LLC - Columbia, MO

  January 2014 - July 2014

  Design, plan and implement sites and content related to eCommerce. Tasks include content management, user interface and experience, design and front-end development.

• Web Designer

  MBS Direct, LLC - Columbia, MO

  September 2013 - January 2014

  Design websites, emails and other digital marketing publications for both our company as well as our clients.

Freelance and Volunteer Work

• Amec Foster Wheeler

  CASTNET Annual Report web conversion for 2013, 2014 and 2015

• Central Aussie Rescue and Support

  Main organization website, foster and event coordinator

• Gordon Watt Sheepdogs

  Business and profile website

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of HTML, CSS, Javascript, and PHP
• Advanced proficiency in developing for WordPress
• Specialization in Responsive Web Design, mobile UI, User Experience, and web accessibility
• Experience designing and teaching classes on coding and web technologies
• Library program creation and implementation
• Background in working with teens and youth

Achievements

• Girl Develop It Chapter Leader

  St. Louis, Missouri Capter

  2015 - 2016

• Guest Presenter

  Crowd Control Production's North American Convention in Las Vegas, NV

  2016 and 2017

• Winner of the 2014 GD USA American Inhouse Design Award

  Publication for both Web and Print

Contact Me!