In general I approach each project as a tabula rasa, or clear slate, while pulling from over eight years of web and graphic design experience. Your business is unique and part of my job is to get to know your organization and how it functions in order to build meaningful tools into your site. Are there repetitive tasks your staff perform that could be facilitated or even automated using the Internet? What functionality should the site have to improve your bottom line? Was there an increase in sales from your last direct mail piece? Are your brochures collecting dust or providing useful information to your customers?
These are the kinds of questions that help define clear and measurable goals. Without them it is impossible to know what ‘success’ is much less how to get there. When every dollar spent in advertising or marketing efforts counts, having clear and focused objectives allows you to see what is working and what is not with a minimal investment of resources.
Building brands is one of my overall goals when working with any organization. Whether your brand is well established or just getting started, marketing materials such as business cards, print ads, brochures etc., should be coordinated with your web site. For me, creating or redesigning an entire identity is one of the most exciting projects to undertake.
Building a web site, especially for the first time can seem like a daunting task. There is a lot of jargon to learn, technical terms that can mean different things depending on who you ask and a shroud of mystery around just how it all comes together. To make things worse, there is a popular misconception that great sites can be built ‘in three easy clicks.’
Beyond guiding production, process serves to let you know what to expect from seanalan, all the steps that actually go into creating a highly effective web presence, as well as what is needed from you to get the job done on time and on target. Process is fundamental to providing the best product possible and allows for greater efficiency because it defines what success is. Perhaps the best aspect is that it can be tailored to the needs of your business and budget.
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I graduated from High School in 1993 in Amherst, Massachusetts where I also went to UMass for my freshman year. Deciding the winters were far too long and far too cold, naturally I moved to Tucson - where the summers are far too long and far too hot - to continue my education.
My first real web site was built in 1996 for a financial consultant. At that time, the local community college had a better program for ‘Communication Graphics,’ or computer based graphic design but do your homework when they say your credits will transfer. When it came time to move on to the University of Arizona they, well…didn't.
I have been working in some design/technical capacity since 1996: at UofA's Treistman Center for Digital Arts, AOL, small web and design firms, and as an independent contractor. Finally in 2003 I received my bachelor's degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Media Arts.
Since graduation I have:
While a resume contains a lot of information, there is much they cannot communicate. Computer skills are essential although ultimately design is a communications field and being able to convey ideas, present information and collaborate with others are crucial abilities to evaluate when considering someone on a contract or full-time basis. Working with others is something I genuinely enjoy. It's great to brainstorm along with other designers and developers trying to solve a problem. Meeting with clients and discussing goals and features is a great way to get my creative juices flowing. Another skill paramount to successful and happy teams is creating an open and respectful environment where there really is no such thing as a stupid question. Attitude truly is a small thing that makes a big difference! For a full review of my education, experience and skills my resumé is available.
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