Dustin J Allen, Writer

dustinjallen.writer@gmail.com

Portfolio

This portfolio begins with a range of recent work authored while studying Technical Communication at Seneca Polytechnic. Then, it branches into grant proposals, internal policies, educational theatre scripts, cultural blog content, and other artifacts from my career as a writer.

Prefer a snapshot? Grab the abridged PDF:

Download portfolio (PDF)

User Guide (Technical Writing)

Using Adobe FrameMaker, I developed a comprehensive user guide for Hypernomicon, an open-source academic research tool. Hypernomicon’s UI leans on terminology and structures from academic philosophy, so my background in the field was especially valuable.

Skills

  • FrameMaker production (book structure, styles, master pages)
  • Technical writing for academic software (terminology, task flows)
  • Information architecture & indexing
  • Document & visual design

Challenges

  • Balancing domain-specific terminology with plain language
  • Consistency across a long, multi-chapter guide
  • Learning and documenting a complex app on a tight deadline
  • Resisting perfectionism to ship a clear reference
Preview of Hypernomicon User Guide
Click to download the PDF

DICE.fm Style Guide (Editing, Writing, Notion Knowledge Base)

I use Notion as a living documentation platform to build and host internal knowledge bases. I showcased the approach on a collaborative project for DICE.fm—a brand with a strong identity but no internal style guide.

We audited live content, reverse-engineered the editorial system, and published a structured Notion wiki so non-writers could find answers quickly. I co-led taxonomy/database design and authored large portions of the standards and examples. View the Notion guide.

Preview of DICE Editorial Style Guide on Notion
Note: I wrote much of the front and back matter, and all of sections 1, 3, 5.

TTCWatch Mobile App Guide (Technical Writing)

A user guide I produced with Microsoft Word. I wrote all procedures and explanatory content from scratch. To build the guide, I learned the TTCWatch iOS app end-to-end through hands-on use and testing.

Skills

  • Procedure-writing & task-based documentation
  • Feature discovery via exploratory testing
  • Audience focus for first-time app users
  • Information architecture (tabs, tasks, references)

Challenges

  • Documenting an app with no prior docs
  • Ensuring accuracy for real-time features
  • Keeping steps concise while complete
Preview of TTCWatch Mobile App Guide
View/download the TTCWatch PDF

Jimmy's Site (UX Design, Web Design, Prototyping)

Jimmy’s Coffee had no digital help presence. I led the front-end build, translating Figma prototypes into working HTML/CSS/JS, and contributed research (personas, card sorts, in-lab tests) and refined microcopy.

  • User personas & journeys
  • Pathway tracking
  • Card-sorting (3 rounds) + usability tests (2 rounds)

Skills

  • UX research (cardsorts, tests, pathway tracking)
  • Figma → code handoff (HTML/CSS/JS)
  • Microcopy & interaction design
  • Iterative, mobile-first design

Challenges

  • Translating evolving prototypes into production code
  • Optimizing research methods on the fly
  • Resolving conflicting test results
Preview of Jimmy's Help Site
Open the MVP in a new tab

Policy Writing – Vehicle Policy

In 2020 an internal audit revealed gaps in policy. I was contracted to author missing documents; here’s a sample.

Skills

  • Policy drafting & stakeholder consultation
  • Plain-language standards for safety/operations
  • Document control & revision history
  • Researching government docs

Challenges

  • Aligning policy with day-to-day operations
  • Clarity for seasonal vs. permanent staff
  • Writing without an internal style baseline
Preview of Vehicle Policy document
Download policy sample (PDF)

Grant Writing

In 2020 closures cut visitor revenue; I was engaged to help offset losses through grants. In four months we secured nearly $650,000.

  • Theatre Royal grant (~$630,000) — source
  • Maps digitization grant (~$15,000)
Preview of Theatre Royal grant proposal
Download the Theatre Royal proposal (PDF)
Preview of Maps Digitization grant proposal
Download the Maps Digitization proposal (PDF)

Knight vs Pierce (Educational Content & Research)

A two-person dramatization of an 1860s trial built from archival records—balancing authenticity and humor to engage mixed audiences. Audience Choice Award (2015), ran through 2020 with iterative updates.

Skills

  • Archival research & adaptation
  • Audience engagement for diverse visitors
  • Creative writing & scripting

Challenges

  • Balancing accuracy with accessibility
  • Verifying antiquated sources
  • Iterating amid conflicting stakeholder feedback
Preview of The Trial program
Download the script package (PDF)

Selected Personal Writing

The Simpsons — season-by-season analysis

Long-form, episode-by-episode cultural criticism on Substack with a consistent editorial workflow.

Preview of The Simpsons analysis on Substack
Read the series on Substack

Skills

  • Long-form analysis & editorial voice
  • Information architecture for a serialized corpus
  • Consistency & copy-editing across many entries
  • Sourcing/captioning media and references

Challenges

  • Scope management across hundreds of episodes
  • Keeping critique fresh while honoring fandom
  • Maintaining a multi-season cadence

Righteous Way of Thinking — Document Design (volunteer)

Co-authored by dictation with an adult-literacy learner; designed in Adobe FrameMaker with an emphasis on accessibility, clear structure, and preserving the learner’s voice.

Righteous Way of Thinking — memoir layout sample
View/download the full PDF

Skills

  • FrameMaker production (book structure, styles, master pages)
  • Accessible document design & layout
  • Co-authoring by dictation; editorial coaching
  • Graphics prep and export/QA for PDF

Challenges

  • Maintaining learner’s voice while editing for clarity
  • Designing a confidence-building, collaborative process
  • Clear navigation in a long manuscript
  • Balancing readability with page count