Elkridge Athletic Club is a small gym in Elkridge, MD that sets itself apart from the competition by building long-lasting relationships with its clientele. It is locally owned and operated and according to its owner, is not just “looking to make a quick buck.” EAC was in need of a website redesign as well as Search Engine Optimization. They felt that their existing website wasn’t personable and made the user feel too intimidated in regards to physical fitness.

Tasks performed include:

• Website design
• HTML/CSS coding
• jQuery

Using content provided by a Google Certified web copywriter, this website ranked on the first page of Google for all targeted key terms, within a week. Extra special attention was paid to every bit of code on this site; all “I’s” dotted and “T’s” crossed so to speak. I was lucky enough to work with a great photographer for this project rather than having to utilize stock photography and it really helped to convey the “local neighborhood” feel that the client felt was important. Future plans include a customer portal where members can set and track personal fitness goals.

Envision Builders is a newly-formed Maryland homebuilder, led by former executives from a top-10 national builder. They were in need of a website that would not only highlight their experience in the industry, but also convey a sense of trust and at the same time, showcase their various models of homes in what they called the "Sensible Series;" a series of homes which "are just right for the cash-conscious buyer in today's tough economy." Existing assets included a logo as well as model home photos and brochures.

Tasks performed include:

• Website design
• HTML coding including CSS3
• jQuery photo galleries, maps, and content sliders

The client was very receptive to design ideas. A soft color palette as well as a hardwood texture (eluding to Envision's commitment to quality at a reasonable price) conveyed the message that they were looking to communicate to potential clients. The use of jQuery accordions and overlays throughout the site help to make full use of the viewport's real estate and provide an accessible experience on mobile devices as well as desktops.

Grady Management, Inc. is a property management company with a grouping of communities in Silver Spring, MD which they wanted to market as the "White Oak Communities." Each property had its own specific assets including printed brochures, stationery packages, etc. that were to be utilized in the design. The site would need to clearly communicate the amenities and benefits of the surrounding areas as well as provide property-specific information such as floor plans, rental rates and contact information.

Tasks performed include:

• Website design
• HTML coding including CSS3
• Integration of CMS provided by Interactive Tools
• Flash-based apartment planner

I found that trying to integrate several different looks like the client wanted meant that this site would have to be organized in a very similar fashion throughout, so as not to confuse the user as they navigated from community to community. I settled on a layout that was able to accommodate the content for each microsite, but still allowed me the flexibility to rebrand for each property. The Flash-based apartment planners are a highlight on this site, giving potential tenants the ability to explore each community's various floorplans.

This client is a monthly business-to-business newspaper publication covering Howard County, BWI Business District and Northern Anne Arundel County. They were in need of a website redesign and reorganization. The site would need to communicate articles from the latest printed publication, contain a full archive of back issues, allow for manageable paid ad space, and contain a manageable community calendar and photo gallery. This was to all be all tied together through an easy-to-use content management system.

Tasks performed include:

• Develop information architecture
• Website design
• HTML coding in conjunction with WordPress
• Worked with partner developer to set up ad server

Obviously, when designing a site that is going to be used as a means to read/archive articles, a goal of super-organization should apply. However, while designing this particular site, I wanted to set it apart by using a slightly more active color palette than some of the other "news" sites that I looked at in my research. Just enough color to add a little flavor and enhance the content, but not enough to overshadow it. WordPress as a CMS offered the client everything they needed to manage the site, and allowed me the flexibility I needed to keep the site interesting and organized throughout.

Future plans include the addition of: local job postings and business directory as well as an ecommerce solution, allowing people to subscribe online.

I was no stranger to the hospital or doctors' offices in my youth. By age 5, I had been to the hospital for a tricycle mishap. At age 6, I suffered a broken elbow and a serious case of poison ivy gone awry. At age 15, I broke my collarbone. It never quite healed perfectly, and my left shoulder still looks a little odd to this day.

LVAD stands for: Left Ventricular Assist Device. It is a battery-operated, mechanical pump-type device that's surgically implanted. It helps maintain the pumping ability of a heart that can't effectively work on its own. People awaiting a heart transplant often must wait a long time before a suitable heart becomes available. During this wait, the patient's already-weakened heart may deteriorate and become unable to pump enough blood to sustain life. An LVAD can help a weak heart and "buy time" for the patient or eliminate the need for a heart transplant.*

myLVAD is a small non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping people who have had this device implanted by providing information and resources on living a normal life in conjunction with this equipment. The organization was looking for a website that would allow them to present this information as well as allow them to build an online community of support. Assets consisted of an existing logo.

As tends to happen with projects that include volunteers, boards, and committees, priorities seem to ebb and flow and this project is in a state of waiting. I'm not sure exactly when it will get moving again, but I have included it here as I am very satisfied with the fruits of my labor to this point on the project. I think the overall design conveys a sense of trust, which is very important on what can be an emotionally sensitive topic to many people. I hope that the project eventually comes to fruition, but if not, I was honored to be asked to work on it.

* Taken from www.americanheart.org

So many different ideas and flavors, all under this umbrella we have deemed “Craft Beer.” Is there any better feeling than when you order that new stout with your meal and it’s so good, you just have to take some home with you? I don’t think so. I especially enjoy sampling beers from the Baltimore-area breweries.

When I was young, the first movie my family watched on our new VCR was Star Wars. In all my years of watching movies, I have yet to find another that I like as much. In recent years, I have coupled my love of Star Wars with my love of tattoos and have begun a Star Wars themed sleeve on my left arm.

This client is a mechanical contractor specializing in facilities management and HVAC services for federal, state, and commercial organizations. They were looking for a redesign of their existing website that would clearly communicate their state-of-the-art solutions, quality control programs, and green cleaning practices. Existing assets and design guidelines included an existing logo and trademarked PMS color.

Tasks performed include:

• Website design
• HTML coding utilizing CSS3

For this project, in addition to the trademarked green that I would have to use, I wanted to incorporate an almost "sheet metal-like" color palette inspired by a few of the photos that the client had provided in our initial meeting. Sidebar icons offset with a soft blue color complement this palette nicely and help walk the user through the site. CSS3 gradients help to achieve the majority of the grays without the traditional concerns of "banding" and file size, which enabled me to make the calls-to-action have a bit more flair.

My favorite part of this site is the use of CSS's positioning abilities to create the overlapping layers. I think that it really helped to add a sense of firmness to the site, which in-turn, helped to communicate the client's experience in the industry.

A Maryland based electric supplier serving residential and commercial customers was looking to redo their web presence. The website would need to clearly communicate the benefits of enrolling in Castlebridge Energy Group's energy savings program, as well as give online users the ability to enroll. The website was to be totally redesigned and CMS capabilities would be needed.

Tasks performed include:

• Website design
• HTML coding in conjunction with WordPress utilizing CSS3
• jQuery rate calculator
• Worked with partner developer to build online enrollment system

This was my first opportunity to build a website for a utility provider. Something that I thought would be important on this project was minimizing any clutter. This site was going to have to communicate to a large number of people from a variety of backgrounds. Very minimal design treatments were used ensuring that I was only delivering elements that clearly communicated what the user needed to know in each particular area of the website.

Note: Due to regulations by the MD Public Service Commission, the jQuery calculator was removed after website launch.