A little about me and my background
(Photo Credit: Randall L. Milstein, Ph.D)
Website Design Background
I’ve been working in website design since the internet became “a thing”. I took my first class in HTML back when websites were written from scratch. I went from designing in Microsoft FrontPage (if anyone can remember that), to Adobe Dreamweaver, and now work with the content management system called WordPress. Website design is continually changing and new tools and plugins are developed every day by some pretty amazing people.
I start my designs with a theme. A theme is basically a template that helps get the ball rolling with the core development of the site. From there, I customize everything from layout, images, animations, and content. I also pull in some of those amazing tools and plugins that I know can help make the website experience more engaging.
Digital Marketing and Website Design
On the front end of a website (what’s seen online), it’s all about design, brand identity, user experience, engagement, and transparency. However, on the back end (behind the scenes), a lot goes into orchestrating a site which not only delivers good user experience, but also enables a site to be found on the internet when conducting a search using Google, Bing, or other search engines. This is referred to as Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Including the principles of good SEO is crucial when building a website today, and it is at the forefront of my mind every step of the way.
Education & Experience
Website design is constantly changing and it can be hard to keep up with everything you need to know regarding a great website. That’s why I feel it’s important to keep current in this field. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Art from Oregon State University (OSU), a Digital Brand Management Certificate from OSU, and in 2019 I have earned two new Certificates from OSU: Advanced Digital Marketing and Web Design & Development. The courses within these Certificate programs have not only expanded my skills with the latest technologies and strategies, but will enable me to be a better digital designer so I can continue to “Realize & Design Websites With Purpose!”
Additionally, I am pursuing an MBA (Master of Business Administration) at OSU which I feel will not only compliment my current business, but will also be invaluable for my future.
Functions & Applications in the Design Process
What can you expect with your website project?
What else might you need?
Latest Projects
GOOD DESIGNS HAPPEN HERE
