In business since 2004, my experience on the Web actually dates back to 1995, when I was learning HTML for the first time. A growing passion for this medium led to extremely satisfying work as an independent entrepreneur, working with various types of businesses and organizations to improve their presence on the Web. As part artist and part programmer, I suppose that I am uniquely suited for web design. My goals are simply those of my clients. Being somewhat of a pragmatist, I find that listening to their objectives and doing what I can to help them succeed will ultimately help me succeed.


PORTFOLIO:

Redeemer Lutheran School

Private school in Austin, Texas that offers an exceptional education to students from early childhood through 8th Grade. Focussed on marketing efforts to increase enrollment, this project involved a total redesign and reorganization of site; adding photos, linking downloadable documents and forms, and providing parent and student resources.

The Lawless Group

Manufacturer’s Rep Agency serving the construction, industrial, and safety industries. Site features a robust online catalog, virtual tours of warehouse and office facilities, interactive Flash map showing representation by territory, a Content Management System (CMS) allowing easy updating of News page, and secure forms.

Stokes and Powell CPA’s LLC

CPA firm that serves privately-held, family-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, individuals, and families of wealth. The goal was to create a presence online that would exude excellence and garner confidence among their existing and prospective clientele. Individual headshots were taken of all staff and partners. Rotating quotes in left sidebar will be replaced by client testimonials. Client Portal link allows firm to deliver secure, private documents to clients through a 3rd-party service.

NATA Research and Education Foundation

A part of National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Site needed a complete overhaul with standards-compliant code, reorganized navigation, and a new look. Phase I involved moving 50+ pages of information over to the new system that allows staff to edit through a built-in Content Management System (CMS). Phase II will add online donations, interactive photo gallery, additional form conversions, documents area for volunteers, and UI refinements.

Benchmark Security Systems

A licensed security company providing installation for wired and wireless systems, and monitoring for both residential and commercial properties. Site features a comparison chart of competing security companies.

Uncle Dan’s Pawn

Dallas area pawn shop with multiple locations. Site features a Flash animated banner at the top of each page, map links to each store location, an electronic employment application, and contact form.

Maple Carpenter Creek

A diversified natural resource Portfolio Company developing projects in Colombia and Montana. Site features easily accessible press releases and media files, in addition to a secure login site for investors to access confidential documents.

Journey’s End Ranch

A family-owned ranch where every aspect of land management employs natural processes, preparing for organic certification once the State of Texas finalizes its criteria. Site features easy to use photo gallery with pop-up slideshow, BLOG, map link with directions, and contact form.

William D. Elliott

Attorney and Counselor. Site features case review and resumé information, BLOG, and custom map with directions and contact page.

Evan Brain

Children’s book author and publisher. Site features full e-commerce online store, BLOG, “email a friend” function, easy access to press releases, book excerpts, testimonials, and various fun facts. Graphic treatments follow the book’s branding and image.

Axcess Technology Source

Motorola business two-way radios, Authorized Market Development Distributor. Site features a full product catalog with downloadable manuals, streaming audio examples, promotions advertisements, and interactive order form for customized sales collateral.

Approach: With some Web designers, the struggle between form and function often leads to compromises in quality, user experience, and performance. It’s a slippery slope! My efforts focus on delivering the best product without compromise. To achieve that, I draw on my experience in graphic design and my programming education for a balanced approach. My predilection for efficiency and simple elegance strikes a chord with most of my clients, who are tired of sites that don’t work right and layouts that are confusing and cluttered. I leverage the power of CSS for layout and styling, standards-based open source scripts for functionality, and advanced interactive and multimedia technologies like Flash and Javascript. The methods I use ensure quick load times, cross-platform and cross-browser compatibility, and search engine optimization (SEO). In fact, there are many things I can do to increase SEO.

Background: When I was starting my graphic design career I was also learning photography. It wasn’t until 1995 that I was able to put all of my programming education from high school and college to the test; the year I built my first web site (to display my photography). Early on everything had to be hand-coded. Little did I know how valuable a skill this would be once WYSIWYG editors became commonplace. Today’s Web sites require much more than WYSIWYG editors can deliver on their own. Technology continues to shape the process of publishing content on the Web, from creation to presentation. You’d think it would have gotten easier, but in many ways it hasn’t. I am constantly learning and adapting to emerging standards, new techniques, current trends, and changing markets.