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Websites
Website design is a process that I greatly enjoy – the
creative process of taking a concept, discussing ideas and possibilities,
creating design layouts and finally developing it through to a published site.
Below are several examples of Websites that I have created. Most were designed
for clients, while one (Peter's Seashells) is my own labour of love. A short description of the
Website design process and the tools and methods I employ in their creation is provided at the bottom
of this page.
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This client wanted a "simple
but really high end" Website for their domain
brokerage. The site contains only four pages
with minimal text, so strong emphasis was placed
on the Flash movie mosaics to add high visual
impact.
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Gfcf.com is a small website
about the gluten-free, casein-free diet, containing
articles and resources for implementing the
diet and explaining health issues. The page
layout, with large blocks of color and white
space as well as extensive use of food images,
is designed to convey a feeling of health and
well-being. Navigation was kept simple and obvious,
so that the viewer could easily find articles
and resources. This will help the Website to
be viewed as a wealth of useful information
and a resource to be bookmarked and returned
to often.
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A major "domainer" company,
NAMedia approached me to create their new, updated
Web presence. The site provides prospective
clients and interested parties with FAQ, About Us
and News and Contact pages.
Flash animation was incorporated
into the Home page and navigation bars to add
additional visual interest to the cool blue
and silver color pallet. The current Website
is the second updated version that I have created for
NAMedia over the last few years.
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InsuranceWorld.com was designed to be an authoritative insurance resource.
The bold red, white and blue color pallet is meant to convey a feeling of confidence and
trust-worthiness. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) was kept in
mind throughout the design process and the 65 pages of the Website are easily navigable through
both drop-down menus and vertical submenus as well as a comprehensive sitemap.
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For this Website, the client stated that SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
was of primary importance. I was given complete control over the structure, design and content of
the Website, working together with a writer who researched and created text as needed.
Future growth of the Website was also planned, so space was left on all
pages for the addition of mortgage rates charts, mortgage calculators and resource links.
These sections were designed for the client for future use, but do not currently appear on the Website.
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For this Vancouver artist,
I created a portfolio-style Website to showcase
her make-up creativity. Numerous galleries were
created using Javascript for pop-ups and animated
slideshows. Flash was used in the splash page
to add a stunning visual effect of contrasting
her glamour and special effects work.
Currently, I am designing
another Website for GlamaRama Creations for
their extensive line of hand-painted glassware.
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My own personal Website,
for which I am proud to have received the Conchology Web Award.
Shell-collecting is a great passion of mine. This Website is designed
as a general introduction to conchology and as a resource for collectors; it also showcasing my personal shell collection
and includes an extensive field guide to Seashells of British Columbia. An on-going project,
Peter's Seashells has been a "work in progress" for many years; presently it includes
Flash animation, JavaScript slideshows, JavaScript pop-up windows and numerous photo galleries.
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Creating a Website
The process usually starts with discussion of client needs
and the creation of mock-up screenshots in Adobe PhotoShop. These designs are then brought to life.
Hand-coded HTML and CSS
(cascading style sheets) are employed to create the basic structure and style of the Website.
In addition
to the basics, JavaScript and Flash animation
can be used to add life to the Website (in the form of navigation bars, slideshows, galleries, pop-up
windows, splash pages, etc).
PHP script can also be used to create custom-generated dynamic
Webpages, which can access databases for up-to-date information (such as product lists),
allow client login, and display more useful forms and confirmation pages.
I also believe that the proper
use of photos, graphics and color schemes can
greatly enhance the design of Websites – and are
the most enjoyable part of the creative process.
I also use Search Engine Optimization
(SEO) techniques, such
as proper use of keywords in titles and links and
minimization of page code through proper use of CSS.
These methods help a Website's standings on search
engine results lists and can greatly increase traffic.
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