Author Archive: Tony

SWANA Knowledge Base

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Screenshot of swana.org knowledge base

SWANA Knowledge Base

2020–2024

Tony MacFarlane built this knowledge base to provide customer support for Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) members. Initially, Tony set up a chat flow through HubSpot to help the SWANA Membership department manage customer contacts. Over time we noticed similar questions being asked in chat, so Tony built out a decision tree within the chatbot itself. A user opening the chatbot would see a set of common questions, which they could chose for an immediate answer. These questions linked to a knowledge base that Tony developed and curated.

  • First, Tony audited content from FAQs scattered throughout SWANA.org.
  • After revising these FAQs (sometimes with input from stakeholders), Tony created articles in the knowledge base structured according to the main website’s taxonomy.
  • Tony then linked each chatbot branch to a relevant article, leaving an option for customers to continue to a live chat session with SWANA staff.
  • Over time, Tony revised and elaborated each article’s content, sometimes adding graphics for clarity. Some articles went through several iterations from feedback provided by SWANA members and staff.

This content strategy resulted in significant relief from customer support, and less frustration from SWANA membership.

Web Design for Design/Build Contractor Website

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Technologists, Inc. Website

2008–2013

As the Web Designer and UX Lead at Technologists, Inc. from 2008–2013, Tony MacFarlabe spearheaded the design and development of a dynamic website that showcased this company’s strength as a leading contractor in rebuilding Afghanistan. Tony’s role involved developing intuitive tools with a focus on enhancing user experience and accessibility.

  • Tony directed digital marketing efforts by vetting vendors, coordinating stakeholders, generating copy, managing assets, and interpreting reports.
  • Tony designed the company web site and co-managed other web development projects by leveraging PHP/MySQL, Spry, and jQuery technologies into dynamic and interactive sites.
  • Tony built PHP/MySQL database and search engine for the company’s projects, then leveraged the database into AJAX-based online data visualization.
  • Tony implemented Section 508 compliance standards for accessibility across all web projects.

Web Design for Fairfax County High School

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Fairfax County, VA High School

2012

Tony MacFarlane directed the redesign of James Madison High School website in 2011. This site was optimized for school visibility and community connection. It was awarded “2012 Best Fairfax County Public Schools High School Website of the Year”.

Tony MacFarlane’s Involvement

  • Established site architecture based on client requirements
  • Liaised between client and design team to establish user experience and process flow requirements
  • Developed site layout and functionality
  • Collaborated with design team in graphical development and content migration
  • Project-managed development of content management system (based on Adobe Dreamweaver Templates)
  • Provided extended client support

AIAArchitect

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American Institute of Architects AIA Architect Newsletter

2015

Tony MacFarlane developed bimonthly issues of the email newsletter AIA Architect for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) throughout 2015, including email and web content, graphics and styles. He developed and documented a modular workflow for more rapid development.

Tony also supported publication of AIA Architect through web design, asset management and intranet content management. He integrated AIArchitect’s corresponding online landing page with the AIA’s CSS framework.

The email newsletter was required to primarily render correctly in Microsoft Outlook. Tony participated in market research for developing a responsive product.

VoIP Data Sheet Design

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Broadsoft Datasheets

2016

Tony MacFarlane created this VoIP data sheet design for case studies with BroadSoft, Inc. in 2016. Tony created Indesign templates using identity assets, as well as copy and graphics provided by the company to create data sheet for agencies, laboratories, construction and law firms, and professional service providers. Tony delivered Indesign packages as well as PDFs for the company. BroadSoft, Inc. was a communication software and service provider that enabled mobile, fixed-line, and cable service providers to offer unified communications of their Internet Protocol networks. They have since been acquired by Cisco Systems in 2018.

Law Firm Newsletter

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Lapidus Law Firm Newsletter

2015–2016

Tony MacFarlane created bimonthly newsletters for the Lapidus Law Firm, PLLC between 2015 and 2016. First, Tony created a template in Adobe Indesign using identity elements provided by the client, and a previous printed newsletter for reference. After receiving an issue’s written content from the client, Tony would locate appropriate graphics that the client would approve. He then laid out each issue, sometimes doing some light copyediting for grammar, style, and fit. Lastly, once each newsletter passed preflight checks, Tony would deliver a PDF copy to the client’s mailing house for fulfillment (each newsletter also included mailing indicia.) Tony also supplied the client with a web-optimized PDF for archiving on their website.

Haiti Proposals

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YCF Group, S.A. Haiti Proposals

2013

Tony MacFarlane put together several proposals for the YCF Group, S.A. a Haitian design/build contractor with a mission to rebuild the island nation after its devastating 2010 earthquake. Tony worked with the group to format its technical and price proposals, paying specific attention to consistency in styling, tables, and photo quality. This specific price proposal was for the Fire Station Jérémie, funded by the US Navy.

ASCA 2016 Proceedings

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ACSA 104th Annual Meeting Proceedings

Shaping New Knowledges: 104th ASCA Annual Meeting 2016 Proceedings

2016

Tony MacFarlane created the ASCA 2016 Proceedings for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture 2016 annual meeting. Tony laid out each paper and assembled them into a book with provided covers and spine graphics. He then finalized the book with a table of contents and index. In addition, Tony coordinated with ASCA to make any last-minute copy edits to individual papers. Lastly, he ran preflight checks, troubleshooting any PDF or printing errors, and handed off a final book packaged in Adobe InDesign. Tony loved this challenge because of its size and reach.

SWANA White Paper

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Let’s Work Together: Addressing the Labor Shortage in Solid Waste Collection Services

2021 & 2022

In May 2021, Tony created this SWANA white paper on the labor shortage affecting the solid waste collection industry for the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The SWANA Advocacy team provided content and Tony laid-out and formatted the white paper. In addition, Tony obtained right-cleared photos and graphics by liaising with companies like Waste Management (WM) and McLaughlin Family Companies.

In 2022, SWANA obtained new information for this white paper, which Tony updated.

PFAS Microsite

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SWANA PFAS Microsite

2022

Tony collaborated with Arie Kremen to create the SWANA PFAS Microsite in 2022, when he was the chair of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Landfill Technical Division Landfill Leachate and Liquids Committee. Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are becoming an increasing challenge to the solid waste industry, and his group needed to study it. We setup a Wiki platform for the committee.

Tony established a MediaWiki collaboration and documentation platform for the committee in March, 2022. Tony acted as administrator for the Wiki, managing user rights and curating content.

Later that year, Tony began migrating some of the Wiki content to SWANA.org to create a microsite on PFAS. Tony directed content strategy for the microsite, with regular updates as they came in. This included not only general information on PFAS, but also the latest news stories and legislation regarding this issue as it relates to solid waste management.