Chris Merkel

DEWALT Inventory Manager helps larger-scale contractors save time and money by tracking tools, materials and people across multiple jobsites and receives data straight from the field. Inventory Manager works by pairing connected DEWALT connected products to the Tool Connect app, syncing with and pushing automatic updates to the cloud and then sending up-to-date tracking data directly to the inventory manager portal.

Role: creative director

STANLEY Smart Connect helps contractors and consumers manage building projects, take measurements, and create room plans using connected tools or by entering data manually, with the ability to expand functions through add-ons.

Role: creative director

DEWALT Tool Connect is a three-part inventory management solution designed to help contractors save time and money. The app connects to, tracks, and customizes tools, from drills and impact drivers to jobsite lights. Data from the mobile app also updates in the DEWALT Inventory Manager portal to provide real-time information across multiple jobsites.

Role: creative director

DIYZ is a do-it-yourself solution, with an app and website providing detailed step-by-step instructions for completing home repair or renovation projects, including on-demand live professional assistance via video chat. Android, iOS, and web.

Role: creative director

The American Institute of Architects has a robust continuing education system (CES) for its members, including, as of Q1 2013, an online system called "MyCES" in which Members and Non-Members are able to track the progress of their education credits towards AIA's membership requirements (and soon in the future, for individual states). This project expanded that system to allow the education Providers themselves the same ability for managing their own organization and financial data.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) hosts an national convention, annually, in a different state. It is a major undertaking, with hundreds of education sessions, pre-convention workshop, architect-led guest tours through the host city, housing and travel booking, an enormous product vendor exposition, and underneath it all a deep connection with the Institute's member database to track members' activities (and market to registered non-members).
When I began at AIA, there was no… Show more

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) hosts an national convention, annually, in a different state. It is a major undertaking, with hundreds of education sessions, pre-convention workshop, architect-led guest tours through the host city, housing and travel booking, an enormous product vendor exposition, and underneath it all a deep connection with the Institute's member database to track members' activities (and market to registered non-members).
When I began at AIA, there was no knowledge of how these disparate systems connect, how customers really voyage through the Convention websites and applications. I was tasked with improving return visitor rates, and registration numbers, as well as improving the Convention's brand and perception. Show less

AIA Cities was created by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to allow architects to speak to architectural enthusiasts and the general public about design. Originally powered by Broadcastr, and now by Google Field Trip, it is a geo-targeted mobile application allowing media to play by a site's location. Visitors of the architectural tours are able to learn more about a space or structure they are in directly from the architects who designed them.

In late 2013, with several of us urging for change, members and non-members alike are now be able to log in to review, manage, and enter new personal and organizational data. Historically, anyone working with the Institute have not been able to manage their own data, directly. Changes to their own employment, education, have been done through the Membership department. This will start out with Membership data only, and slowly expand to contain e-commerce transaction records, Continuing… Show more

In late 2013, with several of us urging for change, members and non-members alike are now be able to log in to review, manage, and enter new personal and organizational data. Historically, anyone working with the Institute have not been able to manage their own data, directly. Changes to their own employment, education, have been done through the Membership department. This will start out with Membership data only, and slowly expand to contain e-commerce transaction records, Continuing Education progress and credits, local chapter membership, and (hopefully) even a robust Firm and Member portfolio system. Show less