Archives
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28 Blogs Later: Day 1
Inspired by HubSpot's 30 Day Blogging Challenge & kickstarted by a creative dry spell, I decided to write one post every day in February.
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Windows XP Desktop Backgrounds
I compiled a list of the default Windows XP desktop background wallpapers. XP was everywhere when I was getting my start. Windows XP & its desktop backgrounds helped shape the designer I am today.
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New Website: Meg & TJ’s Wedding
New in my portfolio, I designed a website for my own wedding. The site is a method for my fiancee and I to keep our friends and families updated on our lives together and our wedding preparations.
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Design Demo: UMass Alumni
This is a demo website I designed for the UMass Amherst Alumni Association. The site is completely hand-coded (no CMS) and is full of lorem ipsum.
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Work with me: StudentCity is Hiring
My company is hiring a junior or middle-level web designer/front-end developer. If you or your loved ones are interested in the gig, please get in touch with me.
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New Website: 259 Lafayette Street
I added another project to my portfolio: 259 Lafayette Street property website. The client is trying to sell a condominium. It was a unique project that taught me a lot about audiences and goals.
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UMass Amherst iPhone App
In August, I reviewed an iPhone app for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, called "UMass Guide." The app is great. It's an excellent idea and it will be very helpful to students & UMass community members.
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Designing Spring Break
I've spent the last 6 months working on a major update and redesign of StudentCity's Spring Break Destinations section. It taught me a lot about design, usability, user experience, and corporate culture.
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My Design Won “Best Website”
One of my websites was voted "Best Website" by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. I've never won an award on my designs before and it means a lot to me. I love my fraternity and I'm glad I can still be a part of it. And it's wonderful to get some recognition from the national office on my contribution to my chapter.
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An Event Apart Roundup – Part 2
This is Part 2 of my roundup An Event Apart: Boston 2010. Luke W covers the mobile web, Aarron Walter discusses designing for humans, and Jared Spool dissects design decisions.
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Google's Interface Changes
I'm not really a fan of Google's latest design changes. Increasing the size of the text-input seems fine, but the new buttons are atrocious. The biggest difference is the font-size on the buttons. But, with Firefox 3.5 on Mac OS X, the default crystal-themed buttons can only get so big.
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New Website: UMass Drumline
I launched another website today. I’ve been working on a redesign of the UMass Drumline website for several years now. It was always one of those casual, “get to it when I can” type of projects. Well, I finally finished it. The site is built on WordPress and uses a YouTube-inspired theme to showcase videos. […]
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New Website: UMass Hotel
My latest website design launched today: UMass Hotel at the Campus Center. It’s a WordPress site with some custom templates. I completed the project for a friend’s company, Glexia, Inc. Because it wasn’t my project, I didn’t have complete control over the design. I had to meet requirements from several other parties. I’m still very […]
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Evolution of UMass Amherst Website
This post is a collection of screenshots and descriptions cataloging the evolution of the UMass Amherst homepage from 1997 to 2009, with pros and cons of each iteration.
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On WordPress as a CMS
Using WordPress as a CMS? Here are some pros and cons. My two cents? WordPress is an excellent CMS and I highly recommend it.
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On “Harsh Truths” and Excellent Advice
Sometimes other people can put your thoughts into words better than you can. Jeffrey Zeldman and Smashing Magazine have absolutely nailed this one. Smashing’s latest article, 10 Harsh Truths About Corporate Websites is spot-on and near-flawless. Read it. Learn from it. Heed its advice. Now if we could just get the corporate world to listen […]
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On Designing with a Purpose
All websites have a purpose, even it’s just to appease the ego of the author. Most websites’ purpose is either to sell something, or to provide some relevant information. In both cases, authors and designers need to take a practical approach to their creations, ensuring that their work assists the website accomplish its task and […]
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On Bad Designers (aka Managers)
Sales people, operations staff, project managers, supervisors, and CEO’s could all stand to learn one simple lesson: YOU ARE NOT A DESIGNER! I’m pretty sure they didn’t offer information architecture classes or graphic art seminars in your MBA program. And I’m 100% certain they didn’t analyze web usability case studies in your undergrad School of […]
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On Creativity
I’ve always considered myself a creative person. I used to draw a lot when I was a kid. I’ve written stories, songs, and poems. I’ve even tried my hand at screenwriting. But for as long as I can remember, I’ve had difficulty connecting each step of the creative process and I’ve never really been able […]