Designing for the web is about much more than just nailing a look. I understand the fundamentals of good website design from both a user interface perspective and a back-end perspective, and I think that this shows in my work.
Green Ride Colorado
I recently created a website concept for Green Ride Colorado, an airport shuttle company. I was responsible for nearly everything, including content strategy, concept design and execution. Along the way, I received some creative input from Jordan Coombs of Crispin Porter + Bogusky.
CSU Faith and Medicine Symposium
I designed a website for the CSU Faith and Medicine Symposium. The goal was to create an easy-to-use, information-rich site in two weeks. Mission accomplished.
Associated Students of Colorado State University
ASCSU’s website was in rough shape. It was ugly, hard-to-navigate and error-ridden. I managed the site’s first redesign in four years, working with Steve Railsback of the Lory Student Center and myriad interested parties.
Other Experience
A couple of years ago, I worked with my colleague and friend, Kyle Prawel, to design a website for a program we called Dental Tech Night. Later, he and I worked together to create a website for an ultimately-successful campaign for student government, Katie & Trevor 2007.
Also, while at Lightsource Creative, I was able to see this process up close and personal, day in and day out. Come back soon for more information on this!
Skill Set
Content Strategy
When designing for the web, it’s important to flesh out your content strategy early. That’s because your design should complement your information structure, instead of determining it. I’ve developed a content strategy for clients such as Green Ride Colorado, the CSU Faith and Medicine Symposium, the Associated Students of Colorado State University and Dental Tech Night.
Content Management Systems (CMS)
I make it easy for clients to update their own website by building on a free, open-source content management system called Wordpress. I use it exclusively because it is infinitely flexible and intuitively designed. It’s the fastest-growing content management system on the web and has a huge theme and developer community. Furthermore, it’s free, and was named PactPub’s 2009 Overall Best Open Source CMS Award.
Embedded Media & Plug-Ins
Looking to add functionality, like a contact form, survey or YouTube video? I’ve worked with a wide variety of embeddable media, as well as many development tools. This allows me to offer tons of functionality at an affordable price.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
You should hire the best SEO expert you can afford, because if customers can’t find your website, you’ve already lost. I’m no Matt Cutts, but I know more about SEO than a typical web designer. I deliver good mark-up and solid information design, the cornerstones of strong rankings.
Hire me if you’d like someone to help you with the SEO basics. If you have even bigger goals, and the budget to match, I’d be happy to refer you to a local expert.
Theme Customization
Why reinvent the wheel? Instead of starting from scratch, I like to begin with one of the many incredible WordPress themes out there, and customize it to suit your goals.
I particularly enjoy working with Thesis. It provides a great typographical foundation, unmatched SEO support, and a terrific support community. When in doubt, I start with Thesis.
Web Standards
I style websites using best practices for CSS and HTML. This ensures that pages load quickly, operate consistently across different browsers, can be fully catalogued by search engines, and comply with federal disability access standards. Whoever you hire to create your website, this is something that you should demand.